2nd Chance have been profiling a string of successes from young people who, as part of Future Jobs Fund scheme, with support from us and local employers have recently completed apprenticeships in Activity Leadership. As a result, many have progressed into further employment and are focussed on leading successful lives.

Our next case study takes us to South Gloucestershire Council, whose Community Sports & Active Lifestyles Section provided an Activity Leadership Apprenticeship to 5 previously unemployed young men.  All 5 were unemployed for at least 6 months prior to applying for the posts.  One commented that his main activity prior to being employed was to drive to the local shopping centre and sit in the car park with his speakers blaring. He had little or no qualifications, no job and no aspirations.

The employer South Gloucestershire Council, with the help of 2nd Chance, set up a programme that not only nurtured these young men but focussed on developing their confidence and building on their strengths to run, coach and deliver community sports based programmes across a diverse range of settings.  Based within the Sports Development Team, all were assigned experienced coaches as mentors, with whom they worked alongside, assisting their delivery.  As a Trainee Coach, each was involved in every aspect of the coaching business, from coaching in schools to team meetings and event planning.  A variety of hands-on roles kept their focus and their ever-increasing experience spurred them on to achieve their Community Sports Leaders Award, NVQ Certificate in Activity Leadership and Literacy and Numeracy qualifications.

Ideally apprenticeship programmes are delivered over 12 months, but 2nd Chance saw the opportunity to work intensively with these young people and their employers to help them achieve qualifications enabling further employment. A programme was tailored to suit their job requirements and designated weekly contact with their assessor.

Rob Stirzaker, Community Sports Manager for South Gloucestershire Council,  spoke about the programme’s success:

“I’ve seen these lads come from different backgrounds with different ability levels develop into well qualified, well rounded employees after 6 months of intensive training. This programme has allowed the trainees to gain confidence and develop their own strengths.”

On completing their placement, all 5 benefited from a varied and extensive practical experience and achieved qualifications as a result. Chris Prichard, 21 from Yate, has gone on to coach sport at Yate International Academy and coordinates two active family clubs.  Dean Parsons, 19 from Yate, as well as coaching school children of mixed age groups, now runs run South Gloucestershire U12 Representative Football Squad and is making progress towards his aim of being a professional football coach. Joel Richards, 24 from Bristol, worked as a coaching technician at Chipping Sodbury Secondary School, assists with the football development squad and is also involved with 2nd Chance’s Street Games initiatives in central Bristol. Luke Rawlins, 20, Kingswood, now works at Warmley’s Pitch and Putt and achieved his full Apprenticeship. Ben Stiles, 18,Yate did not complete the full programme but nevertheless achieved the majority of the qualifications and gained valuable experience, which he can draw on in future employment.

Not only is this a fantastic outcome for these young people but is evidence of partnership working at its best. With limited funding two organisations have strived to provide young people with vital opportunities and structured support to better themselves. With the Big Society Agenda at the forefront of current social policy, it is vital to point out that the type of work undertaken by these young men, as part of their apprenticeship, had a positive impact on their local communities. The successes were a result of the drive and passion they put into galvanising the local communities to take part in new sports based programmes.

Dean Parsons, one of the apprentices commented that:

“The training programme to become a Trainee Coach for South Glos has been encouraging and exciting, also very rewarding, and I feel fully ready to get out there and take on my new role as a result of this experience.”

In order to build on these success stories 2nd Chance hope that future funding will be directed into similar schemes such as the FJF.

Posted: 27.09.11 14:58