Glasgow Ethnic Minority Support (GEMS) - Bridges Programmes

The intersectional barriers and challenges faced by minority ethnic communities accessing employment are institutional racism and lack of opportunity, role models, multicultural understanding among employers, understanding of how to access opportunities, the value of relevant skills and experience, and resources for starting employment.

These challenges will be addressed by GEMS partners through a balance of coaching, learning, and practical support, resulting in increased confidence, knowledge, choice, empowerment, and a move towards upskilling or aligning existing skills. It will include 1-1 discussions to identify existing skills/experience and aspirations. This will include the following options, where required: skills profiling, CV building, workshops, Women’s Empowerment, meet the employer Q&A sessions, job application support including access to digital resources, interview skills, mock interviews, job searches, volunteering and/or work placement opportunities, and goal setting. 

Additionally, GEMS will develop a network of employer partners within sectors that can provide sustained employment. We will work with employers to support diversity in recruitment and staff retention, plus how to tackle racism.

The consortium partners have specialisms in Healthcare, Social Care, Doctors, Computing, Trades, Childcare, Hair & Beauty, Fashion & Textiles, and Business.The project is a consortium with Bridges Programmes, Amina, Cranhill Development Trust, Govanhill Community Development, the Community Renewal Trust, and Glasgow Clyde College.