Bridges couldn't exist without its employers offering work placements and other types of employability support. We offer employers full support during a placement, including awareness raising training, guidance for work placed mentors and job coaching. Our experienced team can arrange to visit to discuss your involvement with us, provide examples of successful placement activity and help you assess your business to make sure that you are able to work with us.

Our Best Practice Guide " More Chances More Choices" is available free from the office. T. 0141 445 4464, and is full of practical tips and suggestions for employers and explains in detail what help you can expect Bridges to provide.

Why should we offer a work shadow placement? Offering work shadow placements raises the profile and promotes a positive image of the host employer. Work shadowing demonstrates a company or organisation's commitment to equal opportunities, its contribution to the local community, partnership working and social justice. It also provides employers with a chance to develop employees at all levels to act as coaches and mentors. By working with Bridges, you will be making an investment in people who in turn may be in a position to contribute to Scotland, or even your own company in the future.

How does this scheme work? Companies will be invited to offer suitable placements. This will include an indication of how the work shadower will fill his/her time and what the work shadower and the host company hope to get out of the partnership. Meanwhile, asylum seekers and refugees will be invited to apply for a work shadow placement in their respective professions or employment spheres. All the participating asylum seekers and refugees will have a reasonable standard of English. Once a match has been made, then the asylum seeker or refugee will be introduced to the company and a start date arranged.

How frequent is the placement? In the first instance we recommend that each placement will be for a 12 days either one day a week for 12 weeks or twice a week for 6 weeks. Other alternatives will be considered - for example a more intensive period for a specific project - such as an arts festival etc. Some of our corporate partners have been willing to extend their placements.

Is it a route to a job? Although from time to time work shadowing might lead to employment, shadowing is not a recruitment exercise. Instead, the scheme provides work shadowers with a chance to find out about a particular job in depth.

Is the scheme monitored? During the placement the asylum seeker or refugee and company will receive a visit from Bridges to monitor progress, sort out any issues and generally see that the scheme is continuing to be beneficial to both parties. At the end of the placement both the asylum seeker or refugee and the host company will be asked to fill in a short feedback form on the experience. We are happy to offer advice to companies who are thinking of participating, on what makes a successful placement. If you are thinking about offering a work shadow placement do not let inexperience in this field stop you from making an offer.

What do I have to agree to? Provide a placement for the agreed amount of time; Undertake to provide (or subsidise) transport or travel to the place of work;  Agree to have one point of contact who will be primarily responsible for the work shadower; Undertake to provide suitable insurance cover for workshadowers while with your company (this would normally be covered by either your Public or Employer Liability insurance); and prepare a programme of activity which provide the work shadower with a structured experience, seeing as many aspects of the job as possible.

How do I participate as an employer? Discuss the idea with your colleagues, your HR team and your volunteer co-ordinator if you have one. Draw up a plan for a placement or placements. Identify your staff that would be willing to be shadowed. Contact Bridges by filling in the forms and putting your proposal to us, we'll do the rest.

Which employers are participating in the programme? A list of current employers working with us is availale on the Partnership page.

If you are an employer who would like to participate place contact us or complete the attached employer form