Walsall Football Community Programme Apprenticeships going from strength to strength
95% of staff Walsall FC Community Programme have progressed through an apprenticeship…
Over 25 years, Walsall FC Community Programme has run a very successful Apprenticeship programme, in its varying guises since 1989.
95% of staff at Walsall FC Community Programme, including the current Community Director Adam Davy who joined the Club in 1994, have progressed through an Apprenticeship programme.
The programme has four new first year Sports Coaching Apprentices this year, as well as our first ever Digital Marketing Apprentice, working on WFCCP’s marketing and social media.
The Digital Marketing Apprentice is undertaking an 18-month qualification, and is helping grow Walsall FCCP’s marketing output alongside the scheme’s Marketing Officer. The apprenticeship includes:
- BCS Level 3 Certificate in Principles of Coding
- BCS Level 3 Certificate in Marketing Principles
Adam Davy, Community Director, said: “Our apprenticeships scheme goes from strength to strength and nothing highlights this more than the fact that we now have a Digital Marketing Apprentice added to our ranks, alongside the regular Sports Apprentices.
“It now means that we can further demonstrate the impact our work has in the local community by the addition of a further 35 hours of marketing and exposure each week. I’m really pleased with the work Mariette has produced for us in the short time she has been here. If all goes to plan she will become a valuable full-time member of staff in the future, and continue to grow the infrastructure of the whole team.”
Walsall FCCP also currently employ 6 full-time coaches, all of whom have previously been apprentices, and two of which completed the second year of their Apprenticeship last year, before becoming Assistant Community Officers in September.
Sports Apprentices complete the most up to date industry standard qualifications and our staff deliver Health, Education, Engagement and Sport programmes through our inclusive and diverse range of activities.
In Year 1 they complete;
- AfPE Level 2
- Level 2 NVQ in Activity Leadership
- Key Skills Maths and English. (if Required)
In Year 2 the Apprentices complete;
- AfPE Level 3
Apprentices also complete their FA Coaching Badges during their time at the Club. The experiences and qualifications gained enable Apprentices to apply for full time jobs with our Community Programme or within the Sports Industry. Over the years we have seen many Young People who have completed the Apprenticeship programme and have gone on to progress themselves further, these include;
Harry Rogers – 3 years apprenticeship – 2 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports coach at a local Primary School.
James Sellman – 2 years apprenticeship – 6 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports coach at a local Primary School.
Simon Bailey – 2 years apprenticeship – 4 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports coach at a local Primary School.
Dan Johns – 2 years apprenticeship – 4 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports coach at a local Primary School.
Adam Haywood – 2 years apprenticeship – 3 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports coach at a local Primary School.
Christopher Hearsey – 2 years apprenticeship – 3 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Learning mentor and teacher qualified status.
Jamie Hawkins – 2 years apprenticeship – 10 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Community Manager at a High School
Jamie Edwards – 2 years apprenticeship – 6 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Coaching for New York Red Bulls and running his own sports business in the State of New York USA.
James Fryer – 2 years apprenticeship – 2 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Strength and Conditioning Coach at Local Sports Centre.
James Holland – 2 years apprenticeship – Progressed to Coaching at WBA Community Trust.
John Hunter-Barret – 2 years apprenticeship – 2 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Lead Foundation Coach at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Katie Grainger – 2 years apprenticeship – 2 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Coaching WBA Community Trust.
Chris Shepherd – 2 years apprenticeship – 1 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to teacher at local high school.
Luke Tisdale – 1 year apprenticeship – Progressed to Foundation degree at university and Lead Youth phase Coach at Coventry City.
Scott Sumner – 2 years apprenticeship – 4 years employment with WFCCP – Progressed to Sports Coach at a local Primary School.
Community Manager for Education, Paul Larvin, said: “It’s going really well.
“Our programme has up-skilled a large number of 16 to 18-year-olds, who had no previous experience in the industry or coaching qualifications, and they’ve been employed by schools and other organisations.
“We’re really pleased with our apprenticeship programme as it helps us grow as a Department and Charity. We will be advertising for new Apprentices in the next month and look forward to seeing the next generation of Apprentices joining us”
Assistant Community Officer, Joe Roberts, added: “I really enjoyed my time as an Apprentice.
“I joined the Scheme in 2016 and worked hard to gain experience and pass my Qualifications. When a position within the Department became available, I was eager to apply and really pleased to be given the opportunity to begin full-time employment at Walsall FC. I am enjoying the role and I would encourage young people to consider Apprenticeships if they enjoy practical learning and want to work in the sports industry.”
More details regarding Walsall FC Community Programme can be seen on www.walsallfccp.co.uk, Facebook (Walsall FC Community Programme) and Twitter (@WFCCP)
