“Apprenticeships can provide a brilliant first step on a career path”
This National Apprenticeship Week Albion in the Community (AITC) is highlighting the opportunities available locally and celebrating the success of its current and former apprentices.
AITC delivers a range of apprenticeships, with apprentices based in-house at the American Express Community Stadium with either the charity or Brighton & Hove Albion FC, and externally at a range of employers, such as Wave Leisure, Impulse Leisure and local schools.
The apprenticeships currently being delivered by AITC range from sports and leisure management to business administration, and more than 60 apprentices have now completed their qualification through AITC since 2015.
Apprentices must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours each week in order to complete their programmes, which run over either a 12 or 15-month period.
Later this month AITC is hosting a celebration event at the stadium to congratulate its recent apprentices on their achievements.
And Vicky Franklin, AITC’s apprenticeship manager, is enthusiastic about the opportunities apprenticeships can provide – both to the apprentice and their employer. She said: “Apprenticeships offer a superb start to your professional career, providing qualifications directly linked to a specific job. They also allow people to earn while they study. At AITC we provide one-to-one support to all our apprentices which ensures that their learning progresses at an appropriate pace.
“Apprenticeships allow employers to invest in their employees, providing a range of on and off the job learning. This approach means that at businesses that actively invest in their apprentices there are some superb opportunities for career progression.
“Having an apprentice also allows key staff to delegate tasks, which can help businesses be more productive.
“Nationally, 90 per cent of apprentices stay with their employer once the programme is complete, which is great for both parties and shows just how successful the relationship can be.
“We have had some excellent success stories at AITC, with all our in-house apprentices staying on to completed advanced apprenticeships, or secure work at the charity. Some have also obtained coaching qualifications while with us, allowing them to support out football sessions in addition to their main, nine-to-five roles.
“Seeing apprentices develop new skills and confidence during their time with us is incredibly rewarding.
“An apprenticeship provides people with experience of a working environment, a wage, and nationally-accredited qualifications. They really can provide a brilliant first step on a career path.”
For more information on the apprenticeships delivered by AITC, email: apprenticeships@bhafcfoundation.org.uk.