Bounce Video was recently invited to the inaugural Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP) Skills Work Experience Celebration Breakfast. The company received a certificate and thank you for their commitment to offering work experience placements in the region.
The celebration event, held at Unipart House, showcased work experience provided by over 40 businesses. Attendees were also given a work experience employer logo to demonstrate their commitment to providing placements.
Bounce, which is run by former BBC Producer, Grace Gibbons, has offered over 20 placements to young people aged 16 to 25 in the last year. The production company has a partnership with City of Oxford College and takes students from the Creative Arts Media course for 30 hour placements.
Bounce also offers placements to young people from a range of schools, colleges and universities.
Bounce’s most recent graduate
Maddie Horvath, 17, has recently completed her 30 hour placement with Bounce. Maddie said “the placement has been crucial in my education of what media is really like outside of college. I experienced of a range of roles on different types of shoots.
At the end of my placement, I was given help with my CV. I was also recommended by Bounce for work with similar production companies, which has helped build my network considerably. Grace is now helping me research and apply for a BBC production scheme after college. The continuing mentoring and support is invaluable to me”.
Bounce Founder Grace Gibbons said: “We are pleased to be recognised by OxLEP Skills. As a small business, we initially thought that we wouldn’t have the resources to take on work experience students but we’ve found the scheme has been really easy to set up and manage.”
Having enthusiastic and focused young people working with us has been rewarding. Partnering with the local FE college has given us the opportunity to work with students from a diverse range of backgrounds. It’s been wonderful to see them develop in confidence and skills during their time with us.”
Inspiring young people through school visits
As well as work experience placements, Bounce also takes part in career’s events in schools, organised by OxLEP Skills. Founder, Grace Gibbons, was recently happy to visit her old school, The Cherwell School, to take part in a ‘human library’ careers event for year 8.
Sally Andreou – Skills Hub Manager at OxLEP – said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity to say thank you to the businesses that work with us to offer work experience placements. Thousands of young people across Oxfordshire have a better understanding of the world of work as a result and we would love even more businesses to get involved.”
Director of career pathways at City of Oxford College, Iain Landles said “The experience our students get when with Grace is outstanding. She provides not only technical skills development, but those life skills needed to progress in the film sector. Bounce Video provides the vital link between college and industry and Grace’s commitment to developing young people is second to none.”
Could your business offer work experience?
OxLEP are keen to encourage businesses of all sizes to offer work experience placements. To find out more about how they could support you to offer a placement, contact: info@oxfordshirelep.com