The UK is no stranger to apprenticeship programmes. Plumbers, electricians and tradespeople across the country count on vocational learning to secure a lifetime of employment.
Coach Core is no different. Starting with a cohort of just 20 young people, they have since July 2012 trained more than 1000 apprentices in sports coaching. These young men and women are responsible for more than 13 million interactions in sites across cities like London and Birmingham.
The evolution of Coach Core
CEO and Founder Gary Laybourne developed Coach Core as a charity under the Royal Foundation. They began with young people who were facing challenging backgrounds. Coach Core supported them, trained them and helped them move through their apprenticeship programme toward meaningful full-time employment.
Now an independent charity, they have a new goal. Replicate their success with 500 more apprentices taken from similarly challenging backgrounds toward community delivery and positive change. In his latest interview on The Drive Phase podcast, the premier podcast for the UK activities sector, he added:
“We had young, relatable role models when we started. We used apprenticeships as that vehicle because it is ultimately the double threat of full-time employment. And while you’re learning, you earn a tangible, recognised national qualification.”
Developing an apprenticeship culture
Apprenticeships are not uncommon in the UK, but updating them to suit current practical needs is on the agenda for Coach Core. Physical activity offers mental and physical benefits, helping coaches, trainees, and participants themselves.
As Gary Laybourne explained, people need to know more about what apprenticeships can offer:
“What we want is more education at the school level, at a much earlier stage, so people know more about apprenticeships. If young people fall through the net or haven’t found the right vocation, have a troubled past, or don’t get the grades they wanted, we’re an organisation that can help.”
Coach Core offers the extra support that those participants need to succeed. Instead of the more traditional format, they target those young people, bringing training providers to them and offering them on and off-site support.
The strength of employment & training
Apprenticeships are a huge resource for employers and employees. It gives those who want to expand in vocational pathways the security they need. But employers also get something they need—new talent and local knowledge, an indispensable resource. Gary added:
“Those employers gain benefits from working locally with organisations that they maybe never would have. For example, this means that a Football Trust now understands that there is a microbusiness in their local area that is working in disability sport and is using a local leisure centre. This connects facilities and capacity.”
Young apprentices are working in their local areas. It not only gives them a stake in their futures but a chance to produce the change they want to see in their own environments whilst becoming professionals in the physical activity sector.
Coordinate Sport partners with Coach Core
We at Coordinate Sport are pleased to announce our partnership with Coach Core. Supporting the values of not only physical activity but programmes that help support our shared values and goals.
Looking for support to enhance your physical activity and sports coaching programmes? If you’re a leader or founder in the sector, get in touch to discover how Coordinate Sport can help elevate your business!
