Academy out to help youngsters net a job

Employment skills offered on coaching sessions

Blantyre Soccer Academy has set itself a new goal of helping local unemployed youngsters into work by running a Coalfields Sport Works training course which has an impressive track record of success.

The academy has joined forces with the Coalfields Regeneration to run the eight-week course which combines teaching young people aged 16-24, employment skills mixed in with coaching sessions in a wide range of sports.

The Coalfield Regeneration Trust (CRT) has provided a £5000 funding package for the Coalfields Sport Works course and Blantyre Soccer Academy will recruit up to 15 jobless young people who share a love for sport with a commitment to find work.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee of the CRT, said: “We have helped run Coalfields Sport Works courses with a number of football clubs including Alloa Athletic, and Cowdenbeath.

“In many cases over 50 per cent of those taking part find jobs, or further training opportunities, often before their course is even finished”.

Jimmy Whelan, chairman of Blantyre Soccer Academy and a CRT Community Ambassador said: “Our staff and volunteers already do a fantastic job every week, helping hundreds of young boys and girls enjoy the benefits of health, self-esteem and friendship through participating in our football programmes.

“Now we want to raise the bar, and use the love of sport to encourage unemployed youngsters to enlist in the Coalfields Sport Works course to learn the key employability skills they need to land a job.”

The programme will run for three days a week for eight weeks to provide employment training and learning opportunities including SQA qualifications.

Supported learning opportunities in job matching, mock interviews, communication skills, team working, problem solving and CV writing will be offered as part of the coursework.

On completion of the course participants will be able to join Blantyre Soccer Academy’s youth volunteering programme where they will be taught coaching and refereeing skills, health and safety and child protection.

These skills will enable them to become a volunteer youth coach at the academy, with improved potential for employment through volunteering.

Showtimethe youngsters enjoyed entertaining then heading for a welcome break at Ed’s Diner Blantyre Drama Club Dining out after their performance

Funding Blantyre Academy’s Nicole Martin and Lisa Mallin, Bob Young of the CRT, Jimmy Wheelan, Blantyre chairman, and Linda Riddoch Blantyre, staff member