At tKC, we are always looking for ways to support young people in Kenilworth. Since launching our Pathway to Work initiative in 2024, with the support of the then Mayor, Alix Dearing, we have continued to develop opportunities that help young people gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to move into education, training, and employment.
Two years on from the launch of Pathway to Work, we are proud of the positive impact the programme has had on young people in Kenilworth and the surrounding area. Through partnerships with local businesses, organisations, and volunteers, we have supported many young people to gain valuable experience, develop new skills, and build confidence for their next steps.
Over the past two years, young people have accessed a wide range of opportunities including work experience placements, volunteering roles, mentoring, and youth courses. Our programmes have helped participants develop practical skills through courses such as First Aid Babysitting and Cooking while also encouraging creativity, communication, and community involvement through activities including podcasting, radio production, and litter-picking and gardening initiatives.
These experiences have helped young people strengthen their CVs, gain transferable workplace skills, increase their confidence, and explore potential career pathways. We remain committed to expanding these opportunities and ensuring that every young person has access to the support, experience, and connections they need to succeed.
We work closely with local businesses, employers, training providers, and community partners to create meaningful opportunities for young people, including work experience, volunteering placements, mentoring, and employability support.
What is the Pathway to Work Scheme?
Following conversations with young people at our Youth Club, local parents, and employers, it became clear that gaining work experience and accessing career opportunities can be challenging for many young people.
The Pathway to Work Scheme aims to address barriers faced by both young people and employers by creating pathways into employment, training, and further education. Through collaboration with local businesses and organisations, we seek to increase access to work placements, volunteering opportunities, mentoring, and practical skills development.
How we support young people.
We currently offer:
- Work experience placements here at tKC and in partnership with local businesses to help young people gain valuable workplace experience.
- Volunteering opportunities (including DofE) that build confidence, transferable skills, and community engagement.
- tKC Sessions, providing free one-to-one support for young people aged 18 to 25 who are not currently in education, employment, or training (NEET).
- Mentoring and youth support, helping young people identify goals, overcome barriers, and access education, training, employment, and personal development opportunities.
Our long-term development areas
Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET)
We are developing stronger links with education providers, alternative education settings, training organisations, and employers to create practical progression routes for young people. Through our tKC Sessions and wider support services, we help young people access opportunities that match their interests, skills, and aspirations.
Young people with limited professional networks
Many young people do not have access to personal or family networks that can provide introductions to careers, work experience, or employment opportunities. Kenilworth’s businesses and organisations possess a wealth of expertise across diverse sectors, and we are committed to building mentoring relationships and connections that open doors for young people who may otherwise struggle to access them.
By bringing together local employers, community organisations, and young people, we aim to create a stronger network of support and opportunity across Kenilworth and the surrounding area.
If you are interested in supporting the scheme, offering opportunities, or finding out more, please contact becky@thekenilworthcentre.com.
Employability and job skills
Alongside practical work experience and volunteering opportunities, we continue to develop our employability training offer. tKC currently delivers courses and activities including:
- Babysitting Skills
- First Aid
- Cooking
- Podcasting
- Radio Production
- Arts and Wellbeing
Our 1:2:1 tKC sessions focus on employability skills and support. They can be booked by emailing sam@thekenilworthcentre.com or click below.
- CV writing
- Interview preparation
- Job search techniques
- Workplace communication
- Teamwork and leadership skills
- Confidence building and personal development
Our aim is to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to develop the skills, experience, and support they need to progress successfully into education, training, volunteering, or employment.
For more information about the programme contact becky@thekenilworthcentre.com.