How Pathway 4 is helping students into the world of work and independent living
Coleg Sir Gâr and Coleg Ceredigion offer a one-year course for students who want to gain work experience and develop their confidence in increasing their independence skills.
Pathway 4 Stepping into Employment is all about empowering learners to move toward a brighter, more independent future.
By spending one day a week in college and two days in real workplace environments, students aren’t just learning about jobs, they are becoming part of a team.
Students are assigned support from a tutor and a job coach who help them write CVs, covering letters, application forms and teach interview skills.
Gaining skills in the classroom such as health and safety awareness and communication are essential in the workplace and helps with students’ career preparation and personal development.
For those who aren’t confident travelling, students can benefit from training which helps them read bus timetables and become familiar with routes until students have the confidence to do it independently.
This helps them travel outside their own areas and increase their employment and volunteering opportunities.
There are no entry requirements for the course but students do need to have the desire to undertake work placements.
This is what our students said about their experience of Pathway 4 – Stepping into Employment.
“I have really enjoyed pathway 4. I was a bit nervous when I started my first placement but over time, I have grown more independent and confident. I enjoy speaking to customers and answering their questions the best I can. In my second placement I learned more about organising stock and presenting them neatly.” Nia Hopley (Co-op)
“My journey in pathway 4 has been an amazing experience so far and it makes me happy that I’m on this course. It has helped me grow my confidence so much more and I’ve enjoyed going on work placement in Leekes. I would highly recommend to anyone that has an interest in retail to have a work placement in Leekes and the staff are very friendly.”
Shakia Griffiths (Leekes)
“Being in Pathway 4 and helping in the Co-op, such as talking to the staff on the headset and giving customers directions for aisle numbers and products, has made me more confident talking to new people and asking for help. I am also more confident in helping people.”
Ci Stather (Co-op)
“I have enjoyed my Pathway 4 experience so far where I am learning new skills in my work placement experience and my confidence has also grown.”
Regan Philips (Co-op)
