Apprenticeships in Sports Management Open in Brighton

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The Dorothy Stringer Specialist Sports College in Brighton and Hove last week played host to the official launch of young apprenticeship in sports management, leadership and coaching in the South East.

The young apprenticeships, which are funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), are aimed at 14-16 year olds and aim to address the issue of school leavers entering the working world under-skilled and under-qualified.

The Dorothy Stringer College will focus their young apprenticeship programme on sports operational services, and have set up partnerships with local employers who will provide the apprentices with the required 50 days work experience. Companies involved include, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, DC Leisure Limited, Fit for All and Cottesmore Golf and County Club.

A Fantastic Opportunity

SkillsActive’s entry to the workforce manager, Steve Mitchell said: “Young Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to develop the future workforce of our sector, and ensure the skills gained will continue to improve and professionalise the sector.

“The initiative takes nothing away from the national curriculum and the students will continue to work three days a week on core subjects,” he continued. “It’s aimed at those students wanting to gain a vocational qualification and gives them more options when they make their FE or 6th Form choices, or decide to enter a career at 16.

Employer Engagement

“We have spent the last 12 months talking directly with employers across the sector, and everyone is saying the same thing, they find it difficult to recruit new staff as they have no work experience and no idea about working in the sector,” said Mr. Mitchell. “With the introduction of Young Apprenticeships, we are able to give future employees in the sector the experience they need to get the job they want.

He concluded by saying: “We look forward to working closely with the partnership schools and helping support the young people involved.”

Secretary of State for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell MP, welcomed the scheme, commenting: “This is a great initiative designed to give young people the practical experience they need to go on to careers in the sport sector.”

Michael Lloyd

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