This has been an inspirational week for our Future Finders students, as they got to catch up with our former student Abu who came in to talk about how he is getting on at work, following on from gaining full time employment last year through our college. Here’s a full report from Anne-Marie…

This week’s ‘Day in the Life’ is a little different, we are taking a look back at one of last year’s Future Finders. In last week’s blog we introduced you to our New Bridge Destinations Champions and one of those is Abu. This week we had a very nice surprise when Abu popped in to have a chat, catch us up on what he has been up to since he left Future Finders and talk to our current Future Finders about why our college is the best place to be!

An Update from Abu
Working at Tufnell’s on a full time permanent contract

I have been working at Tufnell’s since I left Future Finders, a job that they helped me to get.

I talked the students through my time at Future Finders, how my job coaches helped me, the struggles I had and the support I got to overcome them.

I explained how I had started off in Future Finders as a pot washer at The Whitegate Inn (Broadway), then I did a term at David Lloyd Gym before I got an agency contract working at Tufnell’s……..and after 13 weeks I was given a full time permanent contract.

I work different shifts, some days have different start time to other days but I have made loads of new mates, we have a laugh and, of course, the money! I have my own money and I am going away to Egypt.

If you put the effort in then you will get where you want to be. I remember when I was sat where you are thinking this is hard, but Colin and Anne-Marie helped and I built on it.

You just need to give it a go, if you don’t like it you don’t like it but you can find something else and Colin and Anne-Marie will always help you.

Anyway, I need to get going – I’m off to see my Grandad then off to work! See you all soon!

It was great to see Abu and the students were really inspired to hear how he’d worked hard on his placements just like they are doing and is now working full time.

Congratulations go to Helal who was awarded ‘Worker of the Week’ for working hard and consistently reaching the targets set for him. Well done Helal!

We have just one week left now before the half-term break and after the holiday, we will be getting in touch with parents again to schedule the next termly update meetings. For the second half of the year, our focus turns to supporting our students into work and we are looking forward to working with all of our parents to ensure the best possible outcomes for our young people.

As you know, the New Bridge Group is committed to offering our young people the opportunity to gain the skills they need to enable them to achieve their potential. You may be aware that we are now looking to establish a Parent Employer Network to assist us in engaging with employers and explore possible work placements, job interviews and employer encounters for our young people from across the different parts of the Group, including our schools.

I am delighted to say that our first Parent Employer Network meeting has now been arranged at our Medtia Square site on Thursday 28th February. If this is something you would like to be involved in, I very much hope you will be able to join us.

We are always looking to create new relationships with employers across Oldham and Greater Manchester and there are many ways that you can help us, including:

• Work experience placements – we are looking for employers to host work experience placements for young people aged 14 to 19 for 2-3 hours per week for a group of three students who will be supported by a job coach. Currently work experience placements are offered at local charity shops and cafés.
• Pre Internship Placements – these are placements for approximately 12-14 hours per week and are usually with a larger employer that can accommodate 3-4 young people who will be supported by a job coach. Currently these types of placements are offered by David Lloyd Gym, Middleton, The RSPCA Shelter, Oldham and The Atrium Café, Oldham.
• Bridging the Gap – this model is where up to 6 students are based with an employer for a full year and participate in 3 x 12 week placements across departments within that business. The employer provides a classroom space within their premises and the students are supported by two job coaches. We currently host Bridging the Gap projects at the Royal Oldham Hospital and Manchester Metropolitan University.
• Future Finders – these are full time internship courses for young adults aged 19-25 who are looking to move into the world of work. Businesses should be able to offer a placement for up to 16 hours per week for one or two students. Many employers then offer employment opportunities to these students, should a role come up that their student is appropriate for.
• Working Interviews – do you have a role available that might be suitable for one of our students? If so, we can meet with you to discuss a working interview, whereby an applicant is given a trial rather than a formal interview. This is a great way for employers to assess an applicant’s skills and suitability before formally offering them a contract.
• Employer encounters – we are also looking for employers who could host one off tours of their business to some of our students to find out more about your industry sector. You may also be willing to come into one of our schools to talk about your role and your company!

If you are interested in joining us on 28th February, please could you contact Maria Statham, our Work Placement Co-ordinator via email to mstatham@newbridgegroup.org or on telephone number 0161 883 2403 (ext. 3002) or mobile 07392 091961. Alternatively, if you have any family or friends who you think would be interested in supporting our young people, please feel free to pass these details on to them; they would be very welcome to attend the meeting too.

Have a wonderful weekend,

Daniel
Head of College

You can view our previous blog entries here

Click here for this week’s news from Graham