Friday 29th March 2013

Through our partnership with Babcock there has been an unprecedented amount of franchisees enquiring about apprenticeships. We’re now hearing some great examples of apprentices being employed across the Premier Sport network. As part of his business plan, Peter Mullane, franchisee for East Sussex indentified this as his new recruitment process. Here’s what Peter had to say:

"Towards the end of last financial year I employed several apprentices through Babcock and a local training provider. This formed part of my business plan; a full recruitment process was in place and suitable apprentices were employed ensuring I had finances to support their training and development in the initial months. The apprentices are completing 30 hours per week and as part of their training plan the apprentices were all delivering 5 after school clubs a week, with just two clubs covering their wage for the whole 30 hours. In addition to that the £1500 grant money covered all the training costs.

"Babcock provided me with several apprenticeship programmes with one of the apprentices, Kate Mitchell completing a NVQ level 3 in Leisure Management which covers areas of finance, recruitment, health and safety and staff management. Kate joined Premier Sport as a Personal Trainer and the way in which she can communicate to teachers & head teachers selling herself and Premier Sport is particularly impressive. It wasn’t long before Kate's coaching and teaching was at a high standard; She's now working in the office in the morning, teaching curricular on set days and delivers after school clubs every day of the week.

"She’s now been offered a full contract when she completes the NVQ.”

Apprentice, Kate Mitchell said:

"I’m currently on an apprenticeship scheme working for Premier Sport whilst completing an NVQ in leisure management. This has enabled me to gain not only knowledge through the NVQ but practical experience within a company, practising what I am learning. This has enhanced not only my practical skills and knowledge but my confidence within the job role.

"The apprenticeship has also benefited Premier Sport as it has enabled them to train me in the areas that will benefit their business, as well as allowing new ideas and schemes to be put in place through the knowledge gained in the courses being taken.

"I would recommend an apprenticeship because it is a brilliant way of learning, acquiring the appropriate skills needed for the industry and giving the experience that many future employers are looking for. They can also offer a job at the end of an apprenticeship, which other courses do not.”

If you’re interested in employing an apprentice through Babcock please visit the recruitment section on the Premier Sport resource website.

We have been able to source a fantastic opportunity with our partners at Virtual Learning UK that offers a 16 week Level 2 BTEC in ‘Introduction to Coaching’ all delivered via a state of the art online learning platform.

Including units in:

• Fitness Testing & Training
• Practical Sport
• Activity Leadership
• Promoting health, safety and welfare in sport

The offer is aimed at 16-18 year olds not currently in full time education and can be existing employees or new recruits.

Franchisees will receive £250 upon enrolment and another £250 upon completion of the qualification. There are no limits on the number of staff you to wish up skill as long as they meet the funding criteria, however be quick as this opportunity is for a limited time only.

For more information and to complete the feasibility process, please contact Darren Barrett of Virtual Learning on 07707 235856 or [email protected]