How we work with colleges
We support young people to take their next steps on the right path for them, whether that’s university, careers, apprenticeships, or other vocational education. Our mentoring programmes provide bespoke support and we work collaboratively with our college partners to ensure we meet the needs of all students.
Our programmes support young people to:
Deciding what comes after college can be a challenging time for students, especially given the huge range of options they have available to them from transitioning into higher education, to going straight into work, or staying on at college to achieve higher level vocational qualifications.
Our programmes help students to understand the different options available to them and ensure they are fully-informed about their next steps, so that they are able to choose the right path for them.
Preparing and submitting any application can be a daunting process for students, whether they are applying for a job, an apprenticeship, for university or for anything else. Providing students with a mentor ensures they get the personalised advice and guidance they need to write a successful application, as well as someone with experience to share best practice, check drafts and offer support.
Working with leading employers, we develop programmes that enable young people with an interest in a particular sector to understand it better. With their mentor, they discuss:
- routes into the sector
- roles within it
- workplace culture and professionalism
- career progression
- skills required
“ [The sector insight programme was] a way to experience different types of journalism and really be inspired by your mentor”
– Mentee
Case story - Greater Manchester Higher
In 2022, we worked with GM Higher to deliver an Insight programme for students from colleges including Salford City College and Holy Cross College.
The programme aimed to support students through mentoring to better understand the routes into and roles within a sector that interested them – such as STEM, Creative and Digital Industries and Education & Social Care – as well as explore their next steps beyond college into work or further study.
messages were sent by mentees on average
of mentees said that all things considered, they enjoyed the mentoring programme
total messages were sent by mentees throughout the programme
Brightside is a wonderful experience that will lead you to a more understandable outlook on your career sector through qualifications, goals and experiences.
Year 12 mentee
How mentoring can support your existing work:
We adapt our programmes to suit your needs; scaling up or down depending on their needs and adding any additional services they require. Mentoring can also maximise the impact of any current programmes partners are already running to support young people
‘In working with Brightside, we wanted to broaden the pool of talent entering UK newsrooms. The scheme has allowed us to target students who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to connect with someone in the media. Online mentoring has opened their eyes to the wide range of career opportunities available within the news industry. What is more, they realise that it is within their reach.’
Susannah Schofield, Founder, John Schofield Trust