Rochdale AFC Community Trust’s Apprentice Ikram Irfam has become the first point of contact for many customers

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.