Eight new participants had the opportunity to brush up on their employment skills, try out jobs and have a real interview at Gloucester Services last week.

They were all part of the Bridging the Gap course, created for people interested in working at Gloucester Services who feel they may need a little extra support first, or who 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.

Natalie, Bridging the Gap participant, said: "I've really enjoyed meeting people. Everyone made me feel really relaxed and all the Gloucester Services colleagues were all really friendly."

Hlengiwe, Bridging the Gap participant, said: "It's really changed my perspective 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."

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 Gloucestershire Gateway Trust (GGT) has run with Gloucester Services.

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.

Hayley, people business partner at Gloucester Services, said: "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 vacancies and we've filled those gaps with great colleagues."