6th February 2023 Bridging the gap

National Apprenticeship Week seems like a good time to shout about our Bridge Programme, providing pre-apprenticeship activities, highlighting apprenticeship options and getting students ‘match-fit’ for potential opportunities post school - such as interviews and assessment centres for apprenticeships and entry-level roles.

The UK is falling behind the rest of the world in re-skilling its workforce, and it’s widely recognised that apprenticeships are a key part of the solution. The Bridge meets an urgent need in schools by providing high-quality educational options to young people wanting to follow more vocational careers. By connecting, igniting, and enhancing our relationships with schools, business partners and industry, we’re helping to bridge this skills gap.

“Most courses don’t provide much experience and the Bridge to M&G programme did. It was perfect for someone like me who is a practical learner. At school we’re not always taught about alternative routes that can be taken, like apprenticeships.” Year 13 student on the Bridge to M&G programme

Over 1,900 mainstream secondary schools are eligible to take part in our programmes at no cost to them. As well as mainstream secondary schools, we also work in Further Education (FE) Colleges. Our fully-facilitated sessions help students to recognise skills they already have and give them the time and confidence to develop, so they can communicate their transferable experiences in an interview or during a selection process.

“I learnt that an interview is about you, not just how you look on paper!” Student, Marple Sixth Form College

This year we are working with M&G plc and Co-op to prepare young people to apply to Level 3 and Level 7 apprenticeship pathways.

Join the Bridge

Students: Register your interest here Teachers: book an insight session about the Bridge programme by emailing Isabel Philpott

Visit Bridge to M&G programme page Visit Bridge to a Career in Legal Services page Watch our Bridge video

Thank you to our funders Development of the Bridge programme this year has only been possible through the financial support of our partners, M&G plc and Co-op and grants from the 29th May 1961 May Charity, Swire Charitable Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation and the Rayne Foundation. Thank you to Odgers Berndston for providing pro-bono support to students with interview and assessment centre practice.