CAREERS SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE

Careers Programme at Pathfinder Education

The aim of our Careers Programme is to enable pupils by providing them with a comprehensive support system designed to enhance their career awareness, develop essential workplace skills, and broaden their employment prospects. The programme is committed to working closely with each pupil to identify their strengths, interests, and aspirations in order to align them with appropriate employment opportunities and work experience placements. We will also support them to explore broader opportunities beyond their typical frame of reference. The overarching goal is to ensure that when pupils leave, they are well-equipped to continue in education, employment, or training.

Key Objectives:

  • Personalised Career Guidance:
    Each pupil will receive tailored career support that includes one-to-one counseling, career workshops, and mentoring sessions. This guidance will help them understand the variety of career pathways available and match their individual interests and skills with potential employment sectors.

  • Identifying Employment Opportunities:
    The programme will actively explore a range of career opportunities with local businesses, community organisations, and industry partners. Pupils will be supported in identifying roles that fit their aspirations and skill sets. This includes assistance with applications, interview preparation, and guidance on CV and cover letter writing.

  • Work Experience Placements:
    Recognising the importance of practical experience, the programme will support access to quality assured work experience placements across diverse sectors. These placements aim to provide pupils with first-hand exposure to various work environments, encouraging skill development, building confidence, and fostering a realistic understanding of workplace expectations. Each placement will be carefully matched to a pupil’s interests, ensuring a meaningful and developmental experience as well as exposing pupils to opportunities they may not be familiar with.

  • Wider Support for Future Success:
    In addition to career-focused initiatives, the programme places an emphasis on wider development. This includes academic support, life skills training, and resilience-building activities that enable pupils to overcome challenges they may face. The intent is to foster a mindset of continuous growth, ensuring that pupils are prepared for the transition from school to further education, employment, or training.

  • Partnerships and Community Engagement:
    The success of the programme is anchored in its collaborative approach. By developing strong partnerships with local employers, educational institutions, and community organisations, we ensure that pupils have access to a broad network of resources and opportunities. These partnerships are key to creating a dynamic and supportive system that nurtures pupils' potential and enhances their future prospects.

Pathfinder Education is dedicated to making a transformative impact on the lives of pupils. Through personalised guidance, targeted work experience placements, and comprehensive support, our careers programme strives to empower pupils with the skills, confidence, and opportunities needed to pursue successful futures in education, employment, or training.

Supporting Schools to Meet the Gatsby Benchmarks

At Pathfinder Education, our personalised and holistic approach puts the pupil at the centre, helping schools re-engage, raise aspirations and prepare them for life beyond the classroom.

We work in close partnership with schools to support the delivery of effective, individualised careers education that aligns with the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Here’s how we help you meet those key expectations:

  • 1. A Stable Careers Programme
    We integrate careers learning into each pupil’s tailored pathway,

    creating a consistent and measurable programme that

    complements your school’s wider careers offer.

  • 2. Learning from Career and Labour Market Information
    Pupils explore up-to-date local and national labour market information,

    supported by staff who help them connect this knowledge to their

    personal goals.

  • 3. Addressing the Needs of Each Pupil
    Every pupil has a bespoke support plan that includes careers guidance,

    mentoring, and progress tracking, ensuring targeted support for the

    most vulnerable pupils.

  • 4. Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers
    We bring learning to life by linking subjects to real-world contexts

    through vocational projects, enterprise tasks, and applied learning.

  • 5. Encounters with Employers and Employees
    Through workshops, talks, and small-group interactions, pupils gain exposure to a range of industries and career pathways in a setting that suits their needs.

  • 6. Experiences of Workplaces
    We arrange quality assured and supported work experience and workplace visits tailored to each pupil’s interests and readiness, helping schools offer meaningful placements even for those with complex needs.

  • 7. Encounters with Further and Higher Education
    Pathfinder Education connects students with local colleges, training providers, and apprenticeship opportunities, ensuring they understand the full range of post-16 options.

  • 8. Personal Guidance
    Our pupils receive regular one-to-one sessions with experienced mentors and qualified careers advisers, with clear documentation shared back to schools to support transition planning and destinations data.

A Partner in Inclusive Careers Education

Pathfinder Education ensures that even the hardest-to-reach pupils benefit from structured, personalised careers support. By working together, we help schools meet their statutory responsibilities while transforming outcomes for young people who need a different path.