Bridge to employment

content

Launched in 1992, the Bridge to Employment signature programme strives to:Bridge to Employment (BTE)

  • Increase the number of students who enrol in higher education.
  • Increase the number of students in health care careers.

LifeScan Scotland, a Johnson & Johnson operating company, has managed a Bridge to Employment partnership that has continued to develop since its corporate funding finished in 2011. The Highland’s programme objectives are similar to Johnson & Johnson's:

  • Increase the number of pupils who enrol in further or higher education in the Highlands.
  • Increase the number of pupils aware of, and pursuing, careers in health, or in science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM).
  • Develop pupils’ employability skills in readiness for post-secondary education or work.

Working with the Highland Council, the University of the Highlands and Islands and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), a three-year programme has been created which allows an in-depth relationship with a cohort of pupils, following them through the senior phase of their secondary education (S4, S5 and S6). A new cohort will start the programme each year.

In 2014 the Highland Council took central co-ordination of four Bridge to Employment programmes run by Scottish and Southern Energy, Highlands & Islands Airports, Capgemini and LifeScan Scotland.

These programmes strengthen the STEM agenda; aim to ensure more pupils are equipped with the correct employability skills when leaving secondary education; and are aware of the academic and career options in STEM related fields in the Highlands.