Work Placements

Our work placement programme is central to what we do. We can offer clients for short job tasting sessions, or longer work experience or work shadowing opportunities.

ALL of these placements are unpaid and there is no obligation for you to offer anyone a paid post at the end of it. Although many of our placements do convert to job opportunities.

Bridges staff are on hand to advise you regarding what is a suitable placement and suitable placement activity for the clients we have and to make sure that clients are not being exploited. We can provide you with templates of previous successful placements, and will help you draft activities if you need assistance. For a full list of what support we offer please see our Employers Support page.

A typical placement is for 12 days, either one day a week for 12 weeks, or two days a week for 6 weeks. We will ensure that the placement you offer meets all the rules depending on an individual»s status or benefits.

The key to our approach is to match our clients’ existing skills and experience with the labour market. That means you will be given someone who has had some experience in your sector or has had relevant further or higher education or training.

Any client who is on a placement has to have a minimum of Intermediate 1 English (equivalent to General Standard Grade or SVQ1) for some placements, especially if there is contact with the public or where health and safety is an issue, the client will have a higher level of English.

We keep paperwork to a minimum and you will be asked to complete a short evaluation and feedback and a general on line survey about working with us. If appropriate clients may wish to nominate you as a referee, as they apply for jobs.

If you think you could offer a placement complete the placement offer form and return it to us

What’s in it for you?

Working with Bridges helps an organisation meet its equality and diversity needs; develops mentoring and coaching skills in your staff; empowers both the staff who work with our clients and the clients we introduce to your organisation and helps them make the most of themselves; shows a commitment to people from your local area, and a commitment to social justice and corporate social responsibility, and while there is no obligation to offer people a job, for some employers, it has helped them identify potential employees in the future.

Our publication "Integration in the Workplace - a Best Practice Guide" is designed to help you understand the process and what is expected of you. This can be ordered by telephoning 0141 445 4464.

A number of fact sheets are also available on line by clicking on the link to Bridges Publications.