Inside Pathways: shaping progression from the ground up in Rhondda Cynon Taf

Pathways is a project which operates across Rhondda Cynon Taf, which helps people make progress in adult education. It is led by The Open University in Wales and funded through Medr's Strategic Development Fund. 

In this Q&A, we hear from Stacey Pring, Partnerships Manager, and Alice Tetstall, Project Officer, who tell us more about how Pathways is helping people. 

What is Pathways, and why does it matter right now for people in Rhondda Cynon Taf?

Stacey:
Pathways is all about helping people figure out their next steps, whether that's learning something new, gaining qualifications, or finding work. It helps them find the right opportunities, and any feedback they give us will help shape the support available in the future.

Alice:
I’ve spoken to many people in Rhondda Cynon Taf, from teenagers starting out to those looking to return to studying or change jobs. Everyone agrees that it’s difficult to find what’s right for them. There are so many options out there, but people in the area haven’t been aware of their options. It’s been great to attend so many community centres and giving people information about everything they can do.

Why is this approach so important in today’s education landscape?

Stacey:  
At Pathways, we refer to people as enquirers rather than learners because everyone's goals are different. Some people may want to find work, others may be interested in volunteering, building confidence, developing new skills or getting more involved in their community.

Through our person-centred approach, we recognise that no two journeys are the same. Everyone has their own strengths, aspirations and challenges, so we take the time to understand what matters to each person, rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution.

How have partners contributed to shaping the model?

Stacey: 
We developed Pathways with education and community partners to make sure it reflects the real needs of the people it supports.

We know that support looks different from one organisation to another. Some work one-to-one, some run group sessions, and some offer opportunities online or in person. That's why Pathways is flexible enough to fit around different ways of working

We also looked at the skills and experiences that help people move forward in life, from literacy, numeracy and digital skills to wellbeing and community involvement. To make it easier to find the right opportunities, we created an online platform that brings local courses, services and support together in one place. This gives enquirers more choice and makes it much quicker for us to connect people with all these opportunities.

What practical tools have the Pathways team developed, and how are they different from what was available before?

Stacey: 
One of the key things we developed was the Capabilities Assessment Tool, which we’ve adapted in different ways to suit both enquirers and practitioners. It can be used as a quick confidence check at events, or as a starting point for more in-depth conversations and reflection. 

What makes it effective is that it’s been co-designed with partners to give impartial, person-centred guidance, and it has the potential to be used across Wales. The focus is on helping people identify their next steps and find the right opportunities for them, whatever their starting point or previous experience.

What is the most rewarding part of working on Pathways?

Stacey: 
The best part of the project has been working with people across Rhondda Cynon Taf and hearing about their experiences firsthand. It's also been great to bring different organisations together around a shared goal: helping people build confidence, develop new skills and take the next step that's right for them.

By working together, sharing knowledge and pooling resources, we can offer better support and make sure people's goals stay at the heart of everything we do.

Alice: 
It's been great to help people see new possibilities when they feel stuck or unsure about what to do next. Sometimes it's just about taking that first step together and helping someone realise there are opportunities out there for them. 

It’s also been inspiring to see the amazing work already happening in local communities. One standout example was visiting the community café at Mountain Ash Library, where people of all ages come together for breakfast, a chat and a sense of connection. We've also met dedicated community organisations that work tirelessly to provide free activities and support for children, adults and families who need them most.

What does success look like for you in this project?

Stacey: 
For us, success means listening to the people using Pathways and learning from their experiences. By gathering feedback from everyone involved, we can see what's working well and where we can make improvements.

Alice: 
Success for me is being able to impact even one person – to make them aware of the opportunities around them. Hopefully, we can reach more people and make a positive impact, from small to big changes. 

What are the next steps for Pathways?

Stacey: 
The next phase is all about putting the tools into action. Partner organisations are already using them with young people and adults across Rhondda Cynon Taf.

As more people use the tools, we'll gather feedback to find out what's working well and where things can be improved. That learning will help shape the future of the project, and more broadly, shape how we give information, advice and guidance across Wales in the future. Watch this space!