Pathways to Progress

The Pathways to Progress programme helped economically inactive individuals across West Yorkshire, and those from workless households, to improve their lives and build a brighter future. We supported participants to identify their goals and progress towards an outcome that was appropriate to them – such as finding a job, gaining basic skills, or overcoming a health barrier to work. Between April 2024 and March 2025, in collaboration with our partners and through a combination of face-to-face and remote support, our caseworkers provided tailored, one-to-one guidance and advice in the following areas:

• health and wellbeing
• confidence and resilience
• English, maths, and digital skills
• training and volunteering
• workplace readiness
• financial support
• community connections.

Impact in numbers

Through Pathways to Progress, edt supported participants to make positive changes to their lives, by empowering them to overcome their barriers to progress and improve their employment prospects:

• 978 people registered with the programme
• 95% said they would recommend it to others
• 24% of those who did work experience found jobs afterwards
• 23% of those who gained volunteering experience moved into work
• 95% felt more confident and positive as a result of the programme.

Hani's story

Hani was a graduate with a background in teaching, and had been out of work for a while when she came across Pathways to Progress. Our caseworker Sarah helped her to understand her career aspirations and identify relevant job opportunities. Hani now works as a specialist notetaker, supporting students with additional physical needs.

“Sarah actively listened and understood my parameters for work and suggested a very fitting route which perfectly matched my aspirations. I believe I wouldn’t be in my current situation, where I feel much more secure and more confident, had it not been for the support from Sarah and the Pathway to Progress programme.”

- Hani, Pathways to Progress participant