How The Bridge Skills Hub can connect you to a career change
Thinking about a career change but not sure how to get from where you are now to where you want to be?
You’re not alone. Many adults reach a point where they feel stuck, ready for something new or simply curious about what else is out there. But taking that first step can feel like the hardest part.
While it might feel easier to stay put where you’re comfortable, there could be something better waiting on the other side. Better job security, more flexibility or just a new challenge.
A change in career could be closer than you think if you cross that bridge – or The Bridge Skills Hub to be exact.
This April, we’re excited to invite you to our Adults Open Event at Worksop’s dedicated Higher Education facility.
Ahead of the exclusive event, find out how The Bridge Skills Hub could connect you to that career change you’re dreaming of.
What is The Bridge Skills Hub?
The Bridge Skills Hub is a state-of-the-art education facility in Workshop town centre that is primarily for adults undertaking a Higher Education course.
It’s based on Bridge Place not far from the bus and train stations. You might remember the building as the old job centre and Toy Master, but the site was also once home to McDonalds in the 1980s before it was redeveloped.
It had been vacant for some time before Bassetlaw District Council decided to turn it into The Bridge Skills Hub. The £3.5 million renovation was funded by the D2N2 local enterprise partnership with the aim of raising aspirations, creating new choices and providing routes into advanced careers in Worksop.
The Hub is a small and friendly campus with six classrooms that are kitted out with the latest tech and equipment. There are two clinical teaching rooms, a clinical suite and a mock health ward, as well as break out areas and an auditorium. Businesses also use the hub as office space.
Find out more about The Bridge Skills Hub
What courses are available at The Bridge Skills Hub?
The Bridge Skills Hub focuses solely on Higher Education courses that have been designed for adults returning to education.
RNN Group is the main education provider at The Bridge Skills Hub; we came on board in 2022 before its official opening.
We primarily deliver courses for adults such as adults skills courses, vocational training, Higher Education courses and access to HE courses.
These mainly cover two industries: Computing and health care.
In computing, we offer the HNC and HND in Computing (levels 4 & 5) which can be done on a full or part-time basis.
As well as the full courses, we also offer the new HN Flex pathway in computing. This is where you can cherry-pick specific modules from the HNC or HND that best suit your goals – a great option if you can’t or don’t want to commit to doing the full HE course.
In healthcare, we offer the Foundation Degree or HTQ in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care which is a level 5 qualification. We also deliver the access to HE in Health at The Bridge Skills Hub for people who want to retrain in a health or social care career but don’t already have a level 3 qualification required to do the Foundation Degree. Again, these healthcare courses can be done on a full or part-time basis.
All of the HE courses are accredited by partner universities. However, our course fees are significantly less than traditional degree pathways, saving you thousands of pounds on tuition costs.
Since opening, 80 students have enrolled on HE programmes. And you could be next!
Why return to education as an adult?
Life can lead us down many paths, but it’s never too late to change direction. Whether you’re starting from scratch or building on existing experience, returning to education can be the bridge between where you are now and where you want to be.
It can help you:
- Gain qualifications that open new career doors
- Increase your earning potential
- Build confidence and rediscover your capabilities
- Stay competitive in a changing job market
- Turn long-held interests into a new profession
4 steps to take to help you decide whether to cross that bridge
If you are fancying a career change but aren’t quite sure where to begin, here are some tips to help you make that choice.
Step 1: Understand where you’re starting from
Before you can move forward, it’s important to understand where you’re starting from.
Think about:
- The skills you’ve built through work and life
- What you enjoy – and what you’re ready to leave behind
- The kind of future you want for yourself and your family
You might feel like you’re starting again, but you’re not. You’re bringing experience, resilience and real-world skills with you which can be valuable foundations for many different careers.
Step 2: Explore your options
Once you’ve got a clearer idea of your starting point, it’s time to look across the bridge.
Research different career paths, industries and qualifications. Across North Nottinghamshire, there are growing roles in areas like construction, health and social care, engineering and digital industries.
The challenge isn’t a lack of opportunity, but knowing how to reach it.
That’s where exploring your options comes in helpful. Short courses, part-time study and flexible learning options can all help you test the waters without committing to a full career overhaul overnight.
Step 3: Don’t cross it alone
Every bridge needs structure and support, and so does your journey.
Trying to figure everything out on your own can feel overwhelming. But with the right guidance, support and learning environment, the path becomes clearer, steadier and far less daunting.
That’s where The Bridge Skills Hub plays a vital role for adult learners across the Worksop area.
We know that adult learners often balance study with work, family and other commitments. That’s why we offer flexible options to fit around your life and a friendly, inclusive learning environment that makes crossing into something new feel achievable, not overwhelming.
And you won’t be doing this alone. We’re here to support you from your first enquiry through to graduation and beyond.
Whether it’s help choosing the right course for your goals, building confidence if you’ve been out of education for a while, or balancing study with everyday life, we have dedicated student support and careers advice teams to help you achieve your goals.
Step 4: Come to The Bridge Skills Hub open event!
If you’re thinking about a career change but aren’t sure where to begin, visiting an open event is a great place to start.
Our upcoming Adult Open Event is the perfect, no-pressure way to explore what’s possible.
It will be taking place on Wednesday 29th April between 3pm and 6pm and is exclusively for adults over 18.
You can explore the facilities and get a feel for the environment, see what courses we can offer and how these can fit around your life, speak to our friendly tutors who understand local opportunities, and get advice about funding your Higher Education course.
Whether you already have a career path in mind or are just starting to consider your options, we’d love to welcome you.