What comes next? Helping rangatahi find their path forward.
- Te Tahi Youth
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Our new Pathways programme is giving young people the confidence, skills and support to take their next step - whether they know what that step is yet or not.
Not every young person knows what they want to do next. Sometimes the first step is simply having someone believe in them, create some direction, and provide the opportunity to try. Pathways is a new 15-week programme helping rangatahi aged 15–24 build confidence, develop practical skills and discover where they want to go next.
For some young people, the question “What do you want to do when you leave school?” is easy to answer. For others, it can feel impossible. Maybe they have had a difficult experience at school. Maybe their confidence has taken a knock. Maybe they have been out of education or work for a while and don't know where to start. Or perhaps they simply haven't had many opportunities to discover what they are good at.
That's where Pathways comes in.
Our new 15-week programme is designed for rangatahi aged 15–24 who are not currently in employment, education or training, and who would benefit from some extra support to work out what comes next. The starting point isn't a CV or a job application. It's the young person.
Finding strengths before finding a job
Employment might be the destination, but getting there often involves much more than finding a vacancy.
Confidence matters. So does communication. Having a routine matters. Knowing your strengths, being able to work with others, managing setbacks and having someone to turn to when things don't go to plan can all make a difference. Pathways takes time to work on those foundations.
Over the course of the programme, rangatahi will take part in group activities, practical projects, workshops, industry visits and one-to-one coaching. They'll have opportunities to meet employers and training providers, learn about different industries and try things they may not otherwise have had the chance to experience.
Some activities will challenge them. Some will be practical. Some might simply help them discover something they didn't know they were capable of. That's intentional. Pathways is about learning by doing, rather than sitting in a room being told what they need to do.
A different kind of support
The relationships behind the programme are just as important as the activities themselves. Each young person will have consistent support from our team as they work through the programme. They'll have someone to help them recognise their progress, work through setbacks and turn the things they're learning into realistic next steps.
And those next steps won't look the same for everyone. For one person, it might be applying for their first job. For another, it could be starting an apprenticeship, returning to education or finding a training opportunity. For someone else, it might simply be building enough confidence and stability to be ready for that decision.
There isn't one definition of success. The goal is to help each young person move towards a future that feels possible to them. The support doesn't stop at the finish line
One of the things that makes Pathways different is that our relationship with a young person doesn't have to end when the programme does. As participants move into employment, education or training, we'll continue to provide mentoring and guidance as they settle into their next step.
That ongoing support can be particularly important during periods of change. Starting a new job or training programme is a big achievement, but it can also bring new challenges. Having someone in your corner can make it easier to stay on track when things get difficult.
Creating opportunities, not just outcomes
Pathways also reflects the way we think about employment support more broadly. Young people need more than a list of job vacancies. They need opportunities to meet people, see what different industries are like, develop practical skills and understand where their own strengths could take them.
That's why we're building relationships with employers, industry and training providers alongside the programme. These connections can open doors to experiences and opportunities that help make the next step feel real.
This is also where the wider Te Tahi Youth model makes a difference. A young person might be working on their career goals while also needing support with their wellbeing, healthcare, housing or other challenges. Having access to a connected team means those things don't have to be treated as separate parts of their life.
There is no perfect starting point
Pathways isn't about having your future figured out. It's for young people who are ready to give something a go. You might know exactly what you want to do. You might have absolutely no idea. You might have an idea that you aren't quite confident enough to pursue yet. That's okay. What matters is being willing to show up, take part and see what happens. Because sometimes finding your direction doesn't start with knowing where you're going. It starts with taking the first step.
Could Pathways be your next step?
Pathways is free and is open to young people aged 15–24 who are not currently in employment, education or training and are ready to actively participate in the programme. The programme involves approximately 15 hours a week across group activities, practical experiences, coaching and pathway development.
If you're not sure what's next, you don't have to work it out on your own.
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