28th January 2025 Bridging opportunities into work

Our pre-apprenticeship programme bridges the gap between education and employment

Our mission to inspire young people and bridge the gap between education and employment is at the heart of our pre-apprenticeship programme, The Bridge.

First piloted in 2020, this initiative has evolved into an inspiring pathway for students in years 12 and 13 who are from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

Partnering with industry leaders across construction, financial services, and technology, we provide practical workplace experiences and employability skills that build confidence and ignite potential.

Through a powerful mix of in-person mentoring, industry workshops, and online coaching, The Bridge offers young people the tools to succeed. Helping them gain the skills and insights they might not otherwise have access to.

Over the past two years, we’ve helped 180 students explore their next steps, with at least eight students proudly securing apprenticeships.

Building confidence through experience

This year’s Youth Voice Census highlighted that confidence continues to decline for those in education, with young people feeling less confident about their employability skills. In 2023, we took the Bridge to Construction programme to the next level with a residential experience in collaboration with Mace Group. Recognising that students often lacked real-world opportunities to practice key skills - such as teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving - we created a space where they could shine.

The result?

A profound transformation in confidence.

For many, the residential was a turning point. Of the nine students who attended in 2023, five were offered apprenticeships. The impact was so powerful that we expanded the 2024 summer residential to include both construction and financial services students, broadening the horizons of even more young people.

Students can also access a bursary to support them in the first year of their apprenticeship. This can help to pay for travel, lunch or new clothes to feel confident and ready for work.

Tech pathways to success

For our Bridge to Tech cohort, we teamed up with UA92 in Manchester and Dell Technologies to offer a life-changing opportunity: the CompTIA IT Fundamentals accreditation.

This globally recognised certification, combined with career readiness workshops, provides a critical stepping stone for students interested in technology careers.

The results speak for themselves: • 95% of students felt more confident about staying positive in challenging situations. • 98% were inspired to see a clear pathway to an exciting career. • 97% felt their interview skills had dramatically improved.

Voices of our students

Here’s what some of our students had to say about their Bridge experience:

At first, I struggled to make friends - it was awkward since I didn’t know anyone. But as the residential progressed, I found common ground with others, and by the end, I had formed some great friendships!

The experience taught me how vital teamwork is and gave me real insight into the many roles people play behind the scenes. I also realised how important self-confidence is in the workplace.

The coaching sessions made me feel comfortable seeking guidance. I’m more confident now, not just in interviews but in life.

Travelling with a group, working together, and pushing through challenges really boosted my confidence. It was enriching, and it’s helped me communicate better and become more resilient.

A growing network of alumni

Thanks to the support of our incredible partners, we’re expanding the programme into 2024-25 and beyond. The journey doesn’t end once the programme is over.

Our new alumni network supports students who are still finding their way, helping them explore further apprenticeship opportunities, higher education, and - most importantly - building their own professional networks.

The long-term impact of The Bridge is already being felt. Tina Reid, a teacher at Greenshaw High School in Sutton, shares how the programme continues to benefit their students:

“Back in 2020, two of our students gained employment at Mediacom thanks to The Talent Foundry. Just last year, they returned to school to help one of our current students complete their work experience there. It’s amazing to see this ripple effect of opportunity and success.”

Thank you

We couldn’t do this without the support of our generous funders: The 29th May 1961 Charity, Garfield Weston Foundation, M&G plc, Mace Group, The Rayne Foundation, and The Swire Charitable Trust. Together, we’re, building futures and changing lives.

We’re also proud that the Bridge to Construction programme, in partnership with Mace Group, was a finalist in the 2024 Education Estates People’s Awards.

Read more stories from our full annual report and financial statements for the past year here.