Walsall FC Community Programme Kickstarts Modern Apprenticeship
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).
