Implementation
This section covers some of the strategic and logistic points around the implementation of the Pathways solution. As we learn more, test the solution, and iterate on the product we will adjust the implementation plan.
Potential Partners
Partnerships with academic institutions and civil society organisations will be key to delivering Pathways. In the process of testing and refining the Pathways solution, we would reach out to a range of universities, colleges, and relevant civil society organisations to promote Pathways and gain support.
To begin with, we need engagement from students that are close to graduating or recently graduated. These youth could be good candidates for applying to become peer mentors. During the implementation phase, we can develop stronger ties with these institutions by asking career counselors and professors to promote the solution to their students.
In addition, there are examples of existing AKF programmes where youth that have completed the initiative may be in a good position to become a mentor on the Pathways platform.
We would likely also explore a collaboration with existing learning platforms such as Alison.com, which is a free online platform for education and skills training, offering training courses and a range of impactful career development tools. In particular, Alison.com has a handful of features that are in line with the needs of youth and the features we had in mind for Pathways. They offer a skills assessment, personality assessment, and information related to over 1000 careers.
How do we find and retain mentors?
Where do we find them?
Alumni of programmes AKF runs:
- Bytes4Future Alumni
- YES programme Alumni
Alumni of organisations AKF partners with or could easily partner with:
- UCA alumni
- AKU alumni
- Other highly ranked Universities and their Alumni
- United World College Alumni
Existing mentorship and career counseling organisations:
- European association of career guidance: https://eacg.eu/, a collection of European oganisations that are active in career guidance, counseling and employment, directly or indirectly.
- Moonshot pirates: An Austrian based company that brings together and trains a handful of young adults to become global peer mentors: https://moonshotpirates.com/global-peer-mentorship/
- MCR Pathways: A UK based company delivering peer mentorship (including training) via 126 schools across the country https://mcrpathways.org/become-a-mentor/
- Kidscape: A UK based company providing a 5 module peer mentorship program training for youth people and staff https://www.kidscape.org.uk/training-and-workshops/training-for-pupils/peer-mentoring-programme-training-for-young-people
How do we train them?
All potential mentors must apply online and be vetted from a safeguarding point of view.
All vetted mentors should complete an online course, ending in an evaluation/quiz that they must pass, in order to be certified as a Pathways mentor.
The course could involve topics like:
- What's the purpose of mentoring?
- Setting boundaries
- Building empathy and active listening
- Goal setting basics and techniques
- Self-care and mental health awareness
- Understanding existing resources
What is their incentive?
- Certification: a certification upon completion of the online course and an additional certification upon completing a full mentorship session, could be a powerful motivator for youth that are in the process of applying to jobs. This course could be externally accredited through an institution like CPD UK.
- Financial: It has been recommended that Pathways mentors should receive a financial incentive for their mentoring work. The course of this financial incentive needs to be determined but it could come from AKF, from corporate partners, etc. The financial incentive might go directly to the mentors or it could be a contribution to a scholarship funded that Pathways mentees could apply for.
- Professional development opportunities: Mentors could also receive professional development opportunities and further coaching through AKF HR's pool of mentors and coaches, ideally in a group format.
Implementation logistics
Pathways pilot
Pathways will be piloted jointly by AKF's Work and Enterprise global team and AKF's Global Practice team, with the latter taking the lead on the development and testing of the digital component of Pathways.
How do we measure the success of the Pathways pilot?
Goal:
Provide youth with clear information and personalised support, which allows them to make informed decisions towards achieving a sustainable income.
- # of organisations implementing Pathways Solution
- Extent to which mentees and mentors value the Pathways Solution (Net Promoter Score)
Data Source:
Mentors and mentees
Data Collection Methods:
Post Program Survey
Intermediate Outcome:
Increased employment and self-employment
- % of individuals with improved employment or self-employment status
- % of youth that have completed upskilling or training programs
Data Source:
Mentees that have completed the mentorship process
Data Collection Methods:
Tracer Survey
Immediate Outcome:
Enhanced confidence and ability to set goals
- % of youth who report increased access to information and resources
- % of youth who report increased access to a community support network
- % of youth who report increased confidence in their ability to evaluate, choose and secure income-generating opportunities
Data Source:
Mentees that have completed the mentorship process
Data Collection Methods:
Post Program Survey
Outputs:
Youth enrolled on the Pathways Solution
- # of mentees enrolled
Youth matched with global peer mentors
- # of mentors certified
Mentors and mentees complete digital workbook for guided peer mentorship
- # of mentees that have completed the mentorship process
Virtual workshops held on locally relevant subjects
- # of virtual workshops held
- # of youth that attended virtual workshops
Where does this live within AKF?
Work and Enterprise theme.
Next steps
Consultancies to build Pathways solution:
Frontend and backend web development team
- Develop look and feel and UX/UI of the Pathways platform. The team could come from a company such as InspirArt, Geniusee, etc.
- If the decision is made to pursue the partnership with Alison.com, the Alison web development team would need to be engaged too. To be explored whether AKF could provide translation into some languages in exchange for API.
Mentoring expert
- Develop mentoring workbook/ toolkit for mentor to engage mentee.
- Develop modules and video/ blended learning course to train mentors.
Translators
- Translate Pathways interface, mentoring course, and mentoring workbook/ toolkit into priority languages.
Decisions:
- The platform/ content will originally be developed in English. Which other language(s) to prioritise?
- Do we want to pursue the deeper partnership with Alison.com?
- Do we integrate Pathways with The Learning Hub or do we create a separate ecosystem?
- Which university partners should we start testing this approach with?
- Which alumni body should we start testing this approach with?
- Should we be paying mentors? If yes, what could be some sources of funding?
- What are roles and responsibilities of Work and Enterprise and Global Practice, respectively?
