Steve Barclay, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, visited Deepdale Stadium recently to meet people who have benefited from the work and impact of Preston North End Community Education Trust (PNECET) programmes. Read more
Ikram first joined the Trust in Summer 2021 as part of the club’s traineeship programme. The programme took on six trainees on a 25-hour work placement with a variety of educational options available. A traineeship is a 12-week training programme run by many Football Clubs that developed people’s work-based skills and build their confidence, so they are ready to start their careers.
He immediately immersed himself in everything the Trust offers from supporting the office and admin teams, delivering Soccer Schools to the Military Veterans charity fixture.
With an obvious hard-working, keen to learn attitude, upon completing his traineeship Ikram was offered the chance to work full time for the charity through the Government’s Kickstart Programme, supported by the EFL Trust.
The Kickstarter scheme, which supports the employment of a young person for 6 months, allowed Ikram to work full time as a Business and Marketing Assistant, supporting day to day business functions and getting his teeth into photography and graphic design.
“Ikram has so much potential” commented Ryan Bradley, Community Director.
“He fits into our team perfectly and is always keen to learn.
People often comment about the young man in the suit in our office- he’s the first point of contact for many of our customers and works to support all of our staff across all of our programmes.
He’s not the finished article yet, and like every young person, he needs further support and training, but we all believe in him and look forward to seeing him develop”
This further training will see Ikram embark on a two-year Apprenticeship in Business Administration with Hopwood Hall College to gain his Level 3 qualification.
“When I left school, I never thought I’d end up working at the football club” commented Ikram.
“I’m glad I did the traineeship with Rochdale Training, and the Kickstarter programme really helped me decide on what I want to do going forward.
I’m looking forward to learning more about Business Administration and I’ll also look to continue to work on my design, photography and marketing skills as well”
Ikram will be hopeful that his effect on those at the Trust will long continue into a full-time role after he gains his apprenticeship award.
As we continue to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting all the great work of EFL club’s apprenticeship schemes, we reflect on Jacob Fahy’s journey with Plymouth Argyle.
Jacob featured in last year’s celebrations but has since gone on to hit new heights in his role as he was awarded Apprentice of the Year Rising Star Award at the end of 2021!
Jacob credits a 12 week traineeship with Argyle Community Trust as being the turning point in his life. He describes the Traineeship course as “a game changer for me – it helped me work out what I wanted to do and rebuild my life. The course was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity.”
Plymouth Argyle are one of several EFL Clubs on EFL Trust’s traineeship programme. A traineeship offers youngsters aged 16-23, who are currently not in education or employment the crucial first stepping stone to getting a job. The 12 week courses are week based at professional football clubs. Trainees receive free training in employment skills such as CV writing and interview skills in addition to receiving support on their functional Math and English skills. Crucially they also get the chance to gain valuable work experience in a wide range of industries.
“My confidence was at a real low and I found going out an experience that made me really anxious” says Jacob Fahy.
Prior to starting the Traineeship programme, Jacob had been out of education and employment for over 2.5 years. Jacob is very open and honest in describing his journey from this starting point, highlighting that “my confidence was at a real low, so meeting the tutor for the first meeting was a real challenge.” After scheduling a meeting in the relaxed surroundings of a local coffee shop with a referral partner that Jacob was working with (and after much discussion about Jacob’s favorite football team Liverpool’s title chances), Jacob had decided he would like to step out of his comfort zone and join the programme.
Throughout the course, Jacob opted to complete his work experience in coaching children. This was something that he excelled in and thoroughly enjoyed, so much so he knew that this was what he wanted to do in the future.
He says “Prior to the course, I was not sure what I wanted to do and lacked any real career focus or motivation. Working with children through my work placement though was amazing and helped me to realise what I was passionate about!”
Jacob successfully completed the course and then sought to progress onto an apprenticeship, applying for a vacancy at Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust. Jacob’s charisma and new found confidence were pivotal in him securing the role, to Jacob’s delight!
Jacob then continued to undertake the Level 2 Community Activator Coach apprenticeship standard. The apprenticeship looks to support those aspiring to follow a career in the sport or education sectors, through working with children across both school and community sports contexts.
Part of Jacobs’s role has afforded him the opportunity to become involved in supporting key workers and vulnerable children at St. Catherine’s Primary School in Launceston, Cornwall, during the national lock down caused by COVID-19 restrictions.
Jacob describes this experience as being “absolutely incredible, allowing me to build some amazing relationships with pupils and staff, whilst also being able to support them in getting active and staying healthy.
Dan Shurmer, Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust Training and Skill Manager comments, “We are extremely proud of Jacob’s progress and very much look forward to supporting his professional development through this exciting apprenticeship pathway.”
QPR’s Community Trust provided Anna Hampshire with the opportunity to pursue a career, she never thought was possible. Having graduated University in the Summer with a degree in Human Biology and a Masters in Sports Science, Anna sought out the Trust’s and secured an apprenticeship after realising that community coaching was a possible career path and she has not looked back since. Anna has taken up a vital role in the Trust’s education team where she was named Premier League Primary Stars Officer six months into her apprenticeship.
She explains: “I was fortunate to begin my apprenticeship here with QPR in the Community Trust and then six months into that I was offered a full-time role as a Premier League Primary Stars Officer and have loved every minute of it.
“I had never really coached primary school-aged children before; I had always worked in secondary schools so it’s new and different, but I enjoy it so much.
“I have always been into sport, and I have always enjoyed helping people. At University I coordinated the volunteering in my halls, but I never realised this was an actual career path that I could go down, but as soon as I found the Trust, I realised that was for me.
“Day to day I am based at local primary school, Ark Burlington Danes Academy Primary where I undertake all their PE lessons as well as their after-school club, on Friday’s I come into the office to do my admin work so inputting data and planning my sessions.
“But it’s great being here, walking round the local area in your QPR kit and people recognising you and seeing the other coaches is a nice feeling.”
She added: “It’s the apprenticeship scheme has been fantastic for me, whether you are coming straight from A Levels or from University, or you simply just aren’t sure on what to do then it is a good starting point, for me it was a good foot in the door to then move onto my now full-time role.
“I have been supported by great people who I could always go to if there were any problems or any questions about the local schools, they have such a great deal of knowledge of the local area and that has really helped me get to where I am now.”
Mentor Gavin Forbes who has managed the apprenticeship scheme was quick to highlight just how successful the process has been since its creation in 2017.
He explained: “With the assistance of the training provider, Mitre Group, we have been able to support a number of apprentices on their career journeys.
“80% of our apprentice’s work still within sport with 50% of those are working with QPR in full time & part time roles within the Trust or Academy.
” I have seen the benefits of the programme to the apprentices and have seen them grow in confidence in delivering projects & supporting people within the community and Anna is no different.”
Gavin added: “Anna has been a brilliant addition to the Trust and has been able to develop a great rapport with the children and staff at Ark Burlington Danes Primary Academy.
“She has shown great initiative and always approached helping others with enthusiasm and commitment which has been evident within her delivery.
“I am proud of Anna’s progress and proud to have her as part of the R’s family.”
Anna is proof that an apprenticeship can be the perfect way to kickstart a career path you love whilst providing to the local community.
Zak Jaques started his progression through Millwall Community Trust’s Traineeship programme. A traineeship is a 12-week training programme run by many Football Clubs that developed people’s work-based skills and build their confidence so they are ready to start their careers. This saw Zak learn and nurture both soft and hard-skills in order to build his way to full-time employment at the Trust.
Zak was previously part of the Employment Support Programme at Millwall Community Trust where he received experience as a receptionist in order to gain his Level 2 Customer Service qualification. Having gained knowledge and skills of a real-world working environment, he was given the opportunity to continue his work at the Trust as a volunteer.
With 6 months of voluntarily work under his belt, Zak was approached by his manager about the apprenticeship programme the Trust offered in partnership with Southwark College. He immediately signed onto the course and has not looked back.
He explained: “I did a Business Admin Level 3 Apprenticeship that was in partnership with Southwark college. I started in January 2019, it was an 18-month apprenticeship with 4 days in the workplace and 1 day in which I did offsite learning at the college.
I learnt a range of different aspects of business administration from legislation’s to internal and external organisational structures and their sectors, and much more.”
During his apprenticeship, Zak was able to implement his learning into improving the Trust.
He said: “We had to do a project on something that improves our organisation and the project I chose to do revolved around maintaining a cleaner environment. Our dustbins were constantly overfilling due to the waste produced from different events previously held at the Trust. My project would help create a new system for dustbins to not be overfilled.”
Millwall Community Trust has not only aided local people into avenues of work, but their apprenticeship programme provides young people with valuable experiences.
Zak believes this has been pivotal in his transition to becoming an employee within the trust because “A common issue, particularly with young people trying to get into employment, is the lack of experience. An apprenticeship helps you get a step into the world of work with minimal previous experience, which was a great benefit for me.
“I would recommend an apprenticeship to everyone. It helped me gain experience, skills and secure role here.”
John Scarborough, MCT’s employment and education manager, witnessed Zak’s progression at MCT first-hand.
He said: “Zak’s journey at the Trust is a real credit to the hard work and dedication that he has shown since enrolling initially in our Employment support programme.
During that journey, he has benefitted from many different Millwall mentors along the way – all of whom would testify of Zak’s progress both in his role and as a professional employee.
The ability to complete his employment support programme and being able to access an apprenticeship opportunity is a testament to the support pathways apprenticeships provide. It gives us as an employer, but also participants on our programme and in the wider community a chance to upskill themselves, as well as secure long-term employment and a sense of distinct professional identity.
We really look forward to seeing Zak’s continued journey at the Trust and the positive effect he has on his colleagues and our participants who access our facilities.”
Zak will now look to continue his impact on the Trust as he continues his journey with Millwall.
Since March 2020 sport faced an uncertain and stagnant time due to the global pandemic putting a strain on the sector during periods of national lockdowns. Over the years, Walsall FC Community Programme has run a very successful Apprenticeship programme, in its varying guises, since 1989. Recent events saw the opportunities for Modern Apprenticeships take a back seat as they recovered from the impact of lockdowns. Although, in September 2020 the scheme employed all current apprentices into full time roles to help rebuild the charity and the delivery of sessions to support the community it serves.
As the country and sector continues to recover, the Community Scheme accessed the Government Kickstart Scheme in March 2020 to offer local young people a period of 6 months training and work experience. The scheme provided 5 individuals from the Kickstart scheme full time roles in varying sectors of the football club. Two of them began a sports coaching apprenticeship and were later joined by a third individual in September 2021.
Adam Davy, Community Director: “Modern Apprenticeships are such a valuable resource for our scheme and play a vital role in developing staff. Whilst we had to pause the Modern Apprentice scheme in September 2020, we worked really hard to engage with the Kickstart programme and have it lead to new Apprentices starting at the scheme in September 2021. We recruited 3 new apprentices as delivery opportunities began to open again following all the restrictions placed on us during lockdowns. All 3 have started well and, through Kickstart, meant that they hit the ground running with 6 months of prior experience with us.”
As a knock-on effect of the pandemic, businesses across the country have been hit with financial struggles and consequently staffing shortages. The apprentices at Walsall FC have been an asset to the club as they deliver sessions across the borough. Without their 6 months ‘head start’ through the Kickstart Scheme, they may have taken some time to find their feet. However, the scheme provided them with the skills and knowledge to comfortably and confidently deliver and lead on coaching sessions. Lewis, Keenan, and Josh are all seizing the opportunities that the club has provided them with and are on track to a positive future within the charity.
Keenan Bailey, current Modern Apprentice explained: “I had done some volunteering at Walsall FC as I was interested in coaching football. The Kickstart placement was a good introduction to the job for me and guaranteed me an interview for an Apprenticeship. I am so pleased to have been given the chance to become a Modern Apprentice, complete my qualifications and gain even more experience. I am enjoying the role and hope that it could lead to further opportunities over the next 12 to 18 months.”
Under the watchful eye of Education Manager, Paul Larvin, the scheme is already looking to the future and how Modern Apprenticeships can further grow the scheme later this year. Hopes are high that the current Apprentices will all have opportunities to remain in full time positions within Walsall FC Community Programme. More so, plans are already being drawn upon to increase the apprenticeship programme in September 2022, as well as adding a further qualification to the scheme too in the way of Media and Administration.
Paul Larvin: “The value of Modern Apprenticeships to our scheme is evident and long-standing. The latest recruits are proving to be excellent members of staff and a valuable delivery resource for us. As ever, we are looking to the future and how we can expand the charity through apprenticeships. With our education partner, Sports Structures, we are hopeful that we will be creating even more Sports Apprenticeship places in September 2022 and adding Digital Marketing and Business Administration positions too.”
More details regarding Walsall FC Community Programme can be seen on www.walsallfccp.co.uk, Facebook (Walsall FC Community Programme), Instagram (@WFCCP) and Twitter (@WFCCP).
Stoke’s apprenticeship programme, which began back in 2005, has supported over 80 young people in Stoke realise their potential. For many of the apprentices, it has been a significant journey in their progression to work. Read more
In March last year, Lincoln City Foundation pledged to support male mental health by launching Team Talk. Team Talk supports men across Lincolnshire with peer-to-peer support sessions on a Monday evening, delivered by Andy’s Man Club, and football sessions allowing men to find their release through physical activity.
Since the launch in 2021, Lincoln City has supported 119 men with their mental health and counting.
This March, Lincoln City is preparing to launch a brand-new session in their Team Talk programme, to reach and support even more people. Partnering with Unmasked Mental Health, they will be delivering a peer-to-peer support hub every Thursday evening from 7 – 9 pm at the LNER Stadium, starting on 10th March. The Unmasked Mental Health hub welcomes both men and women aged 16+.
Unmasked Mental Health Support Groups are for anyone who is experiencing emotional distress. People are free to talk about their mental health – or not: the support group gives space to make that choice. The groups are informal and relaxed. They are ‘peer support groups (meaning people get support from each other), not therapy groups, although, for some, they may have a therapeutic benefit. All groups are led by a facilitator or co-facilitators whose role is to encourage the group to develop and flourish in a safe, non-judgmental and inclusive way.
Doug Dennison, Founder of Unmasked Mental Health says,
“Lincoln City Foundation and Unmasked Mental Health are committed to making a difference to mental health in Lincolnshire.
We are proud to be able to partner with another professional and like-minded organisation to provide the support desperately needed to women and men across our county and the people of Lincoln.”
Lincoln City Foundation remains committed to making a difference to mental health in Lincolnshire. They are proud to be able to partner with another professional organisation to provide quality care to the people of Lincoln who need it. Adding an additional hub will support men who may not be able to make the Monday session or those that want additional weekly support. They are also pleased that the Unmasked Mental Health sessions enable women to access support, making the offering fully inclusive.
Alice Carter, Head of Healthier Communities from Lincoln City Foundation said,
“Supporting individuals to improve their mental wellbeing is a key part of our mission at the Foundation and we are proud to collaborate with Unmasked Mental Health to provide a safe space for men and women to access peer support. This complements our existing Team Talk programme, and strengthens our commitment to breaking down barriers which prevent people from asking for help.”
To find out more about the Team Talk Programme click here.
Passionate about mental health support?
Sign up to support the Team Talk project with one of Lincoln City’s fundraising events. Run the Lincoln City Half Marathon or take A Walk in the Park for Male Mental Health and help Lincoln City to make a difference in Lincolnshire.
For many young individuals, gaining work opportunities and vital development experiences can be an arduous process, which has been even more prevalent within a post pandemic world. For Connor Jenkinson, this has been no exception as he too has struggled for job opportunities like many in his generation.
However, Connor’s fortunes have changed since he came across the opportunity to work as Media Assistant for Oldham Athletic Community Trust, an opportunity which Connor embraced with both hands.
For Connor, the wealth of Kickstart opportunities at Oldham came at a vital moment in his early professional career. Connor talked to us about his initial experience with Kickstart:
“I originally signed up for Kickstart as it was a great opportunity to transition into working within a role, in which I didn’t need a wealth of experience in. Similar to an apprenticeship, it was a foot in the door.”
Only new into his role, Connor has been exposed to different activities and tasks relevant to the role, such as creating and developing social media posts for the Trust, whilst also filming and editing footage for key football events associated with the Trust. Already, Connor feels like he has developed and acquired new skills. Connor mentioned:
“I have learnt new skills already in my first few weeks into this new role such as communicating with others and balancing various tasks depending on what is needed of me for the day, as well as building my confidence and customer service skills as I meet and speak to a lot of new people on a regular business outside of my comfort zone.”
“Kickstart has helped me as it has allowed me to get a head start into a new career path, I wouldn’t otherwise have many chances at starting without a degree etc, I receive a lot of guidance and support into what the new role entails and gain valuable experience.”
Callum Irving, Media and Communications Executive for Oldham Athletic Community Trust, had this to say:
“Connor’s had a great start in his role as Media assistant. His first few weeks have included filming and editing community-based sessions and a PL Primary stars football tournament. He has also started to plan social content for awareness days throughout the course of 2022.”
After settling into his role, Connor now has the experience and skills he had been searching for and is now excited to progress his own career through Oldham Athletic Community Trust.
Connor has joined 4 other individuals who have gained a Kickstart placement with Oldham Athletic Community Trust. With 5 Kickstarter’s, Oldham have also helped recruit a further 4 for the club and academy, in positions such as Analysis, Maintenance and Office Administration.
The Kickstart scheme is a programme which can help young people secure vital employment opportunities. To find out more about the Kickstart scheme and to get involved, click here.
Today, during Doncaster Rovers fixture against Plymouth Argyle, Doncaster Rovers players will celebrate the impact young people have had whilst on NCS (National Citizen Service).
Each year, EFL Clubs promote NCS and the impact it has had on young people from through a campaign called #NCSMatchday. Club Doncaster works with EFL Trust alongside a network of partners to promote and deliver the NCS programme to teenagers.
Sophia and Charlotte are amongst 400 young people who Club Doncaster Foundation have supported despite the challenging times. The pair met whilst on NCS in Summer 2021 and were given the opportunity to turn their passion of helping people, into action, through the delivery of a social action project.
Designed for 16-17-year-olds, NCS offers an inclusive summer programme that helps young people get the skills, experience and self-belief they need to achieve their potential – and smash their future goals. NCS aims to make a life-changing difference to young people and how they approach life after school.
Sophia and Charlotte, along with their group, volunteered at Bentley Urban Farm (BUF). BUF is an upcycled outdoor space used by community groups from Doncaster. They use reclaimed materials to teach people how to grow food and make art and music, as well as providing a space where people can reconnect with nature.
Sophia’s group decorated the site, adding splashes of colour to this community asset, they hosted an upcycled fashion show to stress the importance of sustainability. Despite being in the absence of volunteers over the past year due to Covid-19, the group restored the site to its former glory through weeding and other gardening tasks.
Sophia discussed with us her experiences on her social action project:
“Whilst at Bentley Urban Farm, we were given the freedom to get creative with the materials available to us. One morning, as we watched the joy on visitors faces as they saw existing artwork on display, Charlotte and I decided we wanted to create something which was not only art but something that was usable as well. With this in mind, we set to work painting an old and tired bench”.
Sophia and Charlotte made a substantial impact, as they incorporated their imaginative minds within the real world through art. Over the next couple of days, Sophia and Charlotte transformed the once tired, rugged-down bench, into a now beautiful landscape.
Not only had Charlotte and Sophia created a wonderful piece of artwork, but they had also achieved their aim in making usable art, which is guaranteed to make people smile for years to come. So much so, that the bench was then relocated to Doncaster Town Centre as part of the ArtBomb exhibition!
When asked about NCS, Sophia stated:
“I signed up to NCS mainly to build confidence, learn new skills and meet new people and throughout the programme I have definitely achieved all of the above and much more! Being able to give back to my local community was also really great”.
“We were thrilled when our bench was displayed as part of the ArtBomb Exhibition and knowing we made people smile with what we created is fantastic. NCS is brilliant regardless of the direction you want to go in, I learnt so many skills and I will benefit from this for years to come”.
Young people from Doncaster and Selby have navigated through Covid-19 lockdowns and restrictions to build skills, confidence and most importantly, give back to their local communities through social action and community partnerships whilst on NCS. In total, young people dedicated over 11,000 hours to social action projects such as social isolation, the environment and helping the disadvantaged.
To find out more about NCS, click here.
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