Do you live in the West Midlands?
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Want to develop your employability skills?
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Need help finding employment in your dream industry?
Join our Pathways Programme!
Pathways is a free creative employability programme that provides employment and personal development support to young people aged 16-35 across the Walsall and wider Black Country area.
The programme aims to help young people break down barriers that prevent them from progressing into meaningful employment and opportunities.
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On Pathways, participants engage in 12 tailored, creative 1-to-1 sessions (1 hour per session) that help them progress further towards their goals and aspirations. Participants can also access a further 6 sessions of employment coaching support in-house whilst with us.
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There are 3 strands to Pathways, all of which have a creative spin on traditional employment support:
Personal Progression Pathway
This is best suited to those who are in need of personal development and/ or are furthest from the employment market.
On this path, we provide:
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Goal setting & achievement mapping
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Soft-skill development (e.g. confidence building, self-esteem, motivation, communication skills etc.)
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Wellbeing support coaching (for the reduction of employment-related anxiety and stress)
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Work experience opportunities
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1-2-1 Personal Development Coaching
Employability
Pathway
This is best suited to those seeking employment, education, or training opportunities and need some concentrated/ focused guidance to progress towards their next steps.
On this path, we provide:
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Career Planning
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IT & Digital Skills training
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Presentation skills training
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CV Writing & Shaping
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Job Searching support
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Application Reviews
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Interview techniques training
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Mock interview reviews
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1-2-1 Personal Development Coaching
Creative Industries Pathway
This is best suited to those seeking a career in the Creative Industries; we focus on:
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Media Production
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Broadcast Journalism
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Digital Marketing
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Arts, Culture & Entertainment
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Communication
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New Media, Gaming & Technology
​On this path, we provide:
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Career Planning
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CV Writing & Shaping
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Portfolio guidance
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Creative Workshops
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Job Searching support
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Application Reviews
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Interview techniques training
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Mock interview reviews
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1-2-1 Personal Development Coaching
Coaching/Mentoring Support
Our in-house Employability and Development Coach, Tahlena, offers tailored guidance and mentoring to help participants build skills, confidence, and achieve their personal, educational, or career goals. Our Coach works closely with individuals to identify strengths, overcome challenges, and boost self-esteem, ensuring they are well-prepared for their chosen path. Through personalised support, individuals will be empowered to reach their full potential and to succeed in their professional and educational pursuits. Here's what some participants have said about their mentoring experience:
Priya
Tahlena’s mentoring sessions which consisted of career advice, planning techniques and a friendly ear to listen allowed me to unjumble many of my complicated thoughts regarding my future.
Myra
After the first mentoring session I felt confident enough finally to book my therapist I have been putting off for months - that's big. I come to the mentoring sessions and leave feeling positive but it's the fact that the positivity lasts throughout the week.
Tallulah-Rose
I feel that Tahlena has made me think more positively about myself and has helped me shift my mentality to a better one.
Ifran
Tahlena is a great mentor who always gives me great tips and always motivates me to continue my work search and be resilient, leading me to not give up.
Sanah
Not only did Tahlena give me rational solutions but she also encouraged me with positivity so that I could feel more better and by the end of the sessions I was always left feeling optimistic.
Christvie
Tahlena is very open-minded and nonjudgmental and always considers my opinions. She is very mindful of my mental health and makes sure that I'm in a good headspace. She also is never scared to challenge me which I feel has helped me overcome certain fears like being put on the spot/presenting abruptly.
Abdul
I recently completed online mentoring sessions with Tahlena which covered essential skills such as CV writing, job interviews, self-confidence, and workplace communication. The course was exceptionally insightful and provided me with practical tools that have significantly boosted my professional confidence and abilities.
Milan
I always feel reassured during the sessions, and by the end, it feels like a weight has been lifted.
Antonio
The help I have gotten from Tahlena for my CV, self confidence and motivation has been invaluable. Not only that but I’ve felt that there is such a friendly and accommodating nature to all sessions. It has truly been a pleasure.
Pathways can support you through:
1-2-1 Personal Development Coaching
Goal Setting & Achievement Mapping
CV Writing & Shaping
IT & Digital Skills Training
Mock Interview Practice
Job Searching Support
On your Pathways journey, you will:
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Engage in 12 tailored 1-to-1, 1-hour sessions catered to you
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Receive employment coaching with 6 additional 1-hour mentoring sessions
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Prepare for the next steps on your journey ahead
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Access valuable support in finding the right opportunities for you
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Improve your employability skills
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Gain confidence and creatively explore your goals
Where you can find us:
Interested in signing up for Pathways or want more information from us?
The team are available in the following locations:
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The Link, 46 Park Street, Walsall, WS1 1NG, every Tuesday 1 - 3:30pm​
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Bloxwich Launchpad, Market Place, Bloxwich, WS3 2JH, every Wednesday 2 - 4pm
What our Pathways graduates say:
Anthony
I am now able to see myself in a new light which in the past I wouldn’t have been able to. It helped me to realise to never give up on what you want. Since I’ve been on this course I’ve been introduced to different interview techniques which have helped calm me in interviews of stressful situations. My confidence has improved for the best.
Jayden
My favourite session was the mock interview one because I’ve never done one before and I’ve got poor speech for communicating and bad social skills so it really helped me.
Adam
My expectations were more than met and I believe that I obtained what I wished for from this course, in the form of more confidence. I feel that I have improved my organisational skills and made a schedule which I am able to stick to.
Macauley
I'm ready now to move onto other training or job opportunities, but without this place I wouldn't have had the confidence to go look for them.
Mohammad
For someone new to the country, communication and self-confidence are the very first difficulty to tackle, and Open Lens Media totally covered that safe space to talk and develop these skills.
Kevin
I've enjoyed the course and it has taught me everything I need to know. It has helped me build skills and I'm grateful for it.
Jashandeep
My communication has improved while on the programme, it is now easier to talk to people at college. My confidence has improved through the skills learnt on this programme and especially when doing the interview session.
Callum
My confidence level has gone higher, my ability of working with others has got better, I've made new friends at my new workplace.
Anya
Pathways has made me feel more prepared for my Master's degree and also for any future projects.
I would definitely recommend the programme to others becasue of how tailored it is to my needs.
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Jack
I loved my time I spent with Open Lens Media. The course I took helped me develop employability skills and boosted my confidence higher than it was when I first started.
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