Bridging the Gap (NBC)
Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.
Maya Angelou
Bridging the Gap
Bridging the Gap is a supported internship which offers work experience opportunities to Year 14 Students in receipt of an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Students are partnered with a Job Coach who provides tailored support so students can make positive progression on placements, whilst experiencing the world of work. Currently, student placements are based within The Royal Oldham Hospital, Manchester Metropolitan University and within our New Bridge College on a digital pathway named ‘Destiny’.
The role of a Job Coach is paramount to the success of student placement and development. Job coaches are a mentor to students who, by systematic instruction, help students to learn, develop and maintain employability skills. Job Coaches are the conduit between students and employers. Students are able to experience placement roles such as Catering Assistants, Facilities Assistants, Technical Service Assistant within a Sport and Physiology Team and Apprenticeship Project Administrators – the placement roles and locations are based on student interest, aspiration, and local labour market intelligence.
Bridging the Gap offer a full 5-day education and placement offer, broken into a work-based placement of three days a week, and a 2-day academic offer based at New Bridge College, which includes English, Maths, PSHE, Living skills, EHCP and Employability.
Gallery
Bridging the Gap
Student Voice
From the beginning of this academic year, I have undertaken a work placement through New Bridge College’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ employability scheme. Being placed at Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, I have carried out activities linked to the role of Technical Service Assistant within a Sport and Physiology Team Assistant. I support the activities of existing staff, which requires a lot of focus and a demand to complete a set of clear objectives. Tasks have involved setting up lab equipment in a timely, safe, and accurate manner, completing administration tasks such as booking rooms for use during lectures, and more. I’ve had to blend into the faculty’s way of working quickly and learn how to communicate with staff from a variety of backgrounds in a very busy, and unfamiliar environment.
Sam
As part of my current work experience activities at New Bridge College, I attend Manchester Metropolitan University. I work alongside the Facilities Team, assisting staff members with their daily tasks, booking rooms and services, and helping customers with their queries. For example, I have helped students gain evidence they need to acquire a rail card, booked facilities rooms for service users, directed clients to meeting rooms. I have also helped with the maintenance of the buildings by cleaning work, restroom, and general areas. As part of my role as Facilities Assistant, I have also had to report any issues to management so they can be logged for repair as quickly as possible and block off access to any broken amenities to ensure client safety.
Kian
