EFL Clubs Provide over 150 Jobs in Kickstart Scheme Milestone
The EFL Trust have now engaged over 150 young people in paid work via the government’s Kickstart Scheme. ….and it’s just the start.
After the challenges of the last twelve months, young people between the ages of 16 and 24 have found employment at EFL Clubs and their Club Community Organisations up & down the country.
The jobs provided under the Kickstart scheme are varied and offer opportunities for those involved to gain a first step on the employment ladder. Roles include Media & Communications Assistants, Graphic Designers, Football & Education Administrators, as well as Sports Coach Assistants all of which are all currently occupied by those involved.
Across the UK, the Kickstart Scheme has now created more than 200,000 approved jobs, with over 20,000 starts between 4,000 employers.
“Via the EFL network, we are providing more than 1,300 Kickstart placements to young unemployed people at 65 EFL Clubs across the country as part of our commitment to supporting young people into employment – one of the groups hit hardest by unemployment during the pandemic,” said Mike Evans, CEO of the EFL Trust.
“Through schemes like Kickstart, we are helping the next generation of workers to gain vital experience in a professional environment in positions from grounds maintenance to sports coaching and administration.”
Taylor Oakley & Hollie Gibson, both now working at Stoke City Community Trust, have spoken highly of the positive impact the Kickstart Scheme has had on their careers.
14/05/2021 For Features re Jobs Campaign: Hollie Gibson (left) and Taylor Oakley who are now working with the EFL via Kickstart. Pictured at the Stoke City FC Bet365 Stadium. Pic by Paul Tonge 07757 699788. Commission for The Sun.
“It’s great to see so many organisations getting behind the Kickstart campaign,” Taylor explained, “and I would like to thank Stoke City Community Trust for giving me an opportunity to follow my chosen career path.”
“I’m looking forward to developing as a coach and putting back into the community.” Hollie added, “The opportunity with Kickstart is brilliant for young people like me to help them take a first step into the world of work.”
Another great example of success in a Kickstart role is Henry Whitaker, who is working at Harrogate Town AFC. Henry said,
“I’ve wanted to be involved with sports media since I was about 13 years old and always liked the idea of working for a football club. I was very lucky to get the opportunity with Harrogate who have been on the up.”
Henry, despite finishing university with First Class Honours, like many graduates in the sports media industry found opportunities hard to come by – especially during the pandemic.
“I had been volunteering with Harrogate Town during the 2019/20 season on match days doing social content, which had put me in position to move into a paid role with the club if things went my way…
“When the club won promotion last August, they said there’d be a lot more that needed doing and they needed a new role – someone to support the Media Manager via the Kickstart scheme.
My technical skills have developed by doing more and different things and I feel like I’ve grown quite a bit as a person since joining the club – having to take a lot more responsibility.
I’m hoping the Kickstart scheme will put me in a good place to then move into a full time role. Whatever happens though, I can say it’s certainly given me the opportunity to get my foot in the door and showcase my ability, which is crucial when going into job interviews.”
Over 1,300 young people will have the opportunity to work in an EFL Club or Club Community Organisation as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme, all starting their roles before the end of 2021.
Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said:
“This is a fantastic milestone and importantly, each and every single one of these jobs is a potentially life changing, vital opportunity for the new recruits – giving them the key skills, experience and confidence needed to thrive in work.
“As more take on exciting roles with clubs across the country, our Plan for Jobs is continuing to create new opportunities, supporting people to retrain and getting jobseekers into work as we push to build back better.”
