A bridge to work

Following the success of our last Bridging the Gap course, eight new participants had the opportunity to brush up on their employment skills, try out jobs and have a real interview at Gloucester Services this week.

The course has been created for people interested in working at Gloucester Services but who feel they may need a little extra support first, or may have found the traditional interview process challenging.

From CV writing and interview skills, to having a go at making hot drinks, serving customers, potwash and pricing up in the Farmshop, the course provides the opportunity for participants to see what jobs might best suit them.  The course also offers every participant a guaranteed interview for a real job at the end of the process, but in a less daunting group environment.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting people, everyone made me feel really relaxed and all the Gloucester Services colleagues were all really friendly.” Natalie
 
“The best bit about the course was coming to Gloucester Services, meeting people, the environment and the social interaction” Jackie
 
“The course has given me confidence, and helped with my personal development and I have really enjoyed being with others in the group.” Abs
 
"It’s really changed my perspective coming here and boosted my confidence, if someone had said would you like to work in a café, I wouldn’t have been interested but coming here I have realised it’s much more than serving coffees.”  Hlengiwe.

Gloucester Services on the M5 was created to offer sustainable jobs and income to local people, but some candidates with huge potential were not making it through the traditional interview process, so ‘Bridging the Gap’ was born.

This is the sixth 'Bridging the Gap' programme that GGT have run with Gloucester Services, and the second in 2021.  Four of the participants from the July course were offered roles, endured the exceptionally busy summer and are still enjoying working at Gloucester Services.  One colleague said the course had changed her life.

“There’s just so much skill and experience out there that’s missed. Some of our recent candidates through Bridging the Gap filled some of our most difficult to recruit for vacancies and we’ve filled those gaps with great colleagues.”  Hayley, People Business Partner, Gloucester Services 

Find out more about current jobs at Gloucester Services.