500 young people will have the opportunity to work in an EFL Club or Club Community Organisation as part of the government’s Kickstart scheme. 

Over 65 EFL Clubs including Forest Green Rovers have signed up to be involved, offering six-month work placement jobs roles to young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit - with the aim to give young people the opportunity to build their skills in the workplace and to gain experience to improve their chances of finding long-term work.

Vacancies at Clubs and their charitable arms will include business admin, sports coaches, marketing, ground staff, finance, youth work, graphic design, film & photography and HR and data administration roles. 

Kickstart gives young people the opportunity they need to get their foot on the ladder and a foothold in the world of work. Nationally, the scheme has already created more than 38,000 vacancies across the UK and received over 4,000 applications from employers. Tens of thousands more jobs are expected in the coming months.

The scheme targets young people who have been hit especially hard by Coronavirus and Kickstart focuses on giving them the best possible chance of getting a job.

Under the scheme, the EFL Trust, the charitable arm of the EFL will be acting as a Gateway provider, bringing together a network of Football Clubs, Community Organisations and other partners, to provide a wealth of opportunities across the country for the out-of-work youngsters. 

Minister for Employment Mims Davies MP said: "It’s great to see the EFL Trust sign up to the Kickstart scheme, to nurture and support so many of our next generation of workers. This fantastic commitment will see nearly 500 young people take up a diverse range of roles, from working in finance and HR, to becoming a sports coach or marketing for a major club. 

"The Kickstart Scheme gives thousands of young jobseekers a chance to get on the jobs ladder – they’ll gain vital work experience, build a network of contacts and learn the value of earning a wage for themselves – as part of our £30bn Plan for Jobs helping people of all ages into work." 

Mike Evans, CEO, EFL Trust said: "This impact of COVID-19 on our young people is clearly very significant and we are delighted to be able to offer opportunities to young people in our communities through the Kickstart programme.

"A key part of our strategy at the EFL Trust is to raise aspirations and realise the potential within our communities and a scheme like Kickstart enables us to have a significant impact on the young people who need out support most right now."

And FGR Community are now on the look out for a new role!

Assistant Community Coach

We will be offering a six-month work placement to a young person aged 16-24 in receipt of universal credit. Kickstart will give you the opportunity to get your foot on the ladder and a foothold in the world of work. This is an exciting role that will provide the right candidate with an all-round experience of day to day life in a Professional Football Club.

The candidate will support the trust staff with the delivery of projects and programmes whilst supporting with the administration where needed, such as delivering in schools on our Premier League Primary Stars projects, holiday camps and organising additional ad-hoc lessons and sessions.

A positive and a friendly demeanour will be a real asset. You will also have the potential to deliver classroom-based lessons within this role and full support will be provided throughout to help you develop new skills to progress.

You should be able to communicate confidently to engage with both children and teachers effectively, and we will support you to develop a variety of communication methods to enhance your coaching skills.

You will also be expected to work well within a small team, working closely with your mentor to achieve a high standard of delivery. You should be prepared to manage and organise your time effectively.

We work closely with both our parent club FGRFC and the Academy so there will be opportunities to learn from these organisations as well.

The community coach’s role will provide you with opportunities to develop your coaching, teaching and administration skills giving you a varied role.

Multiple training opportunities will be available throughout your time at FGR Community.

Essential:

Experience working with children and young people;

Have good communication, organisational and interpersonal skills;

Have a positive attitude;

DBS checked.

Desirable:

UKCC Level 1 Coaching Qualification;

UKCC Level 2 or higher Coaching Qualification;

Access to a vehicle and hold a full driving licence;

Some experience of planning and delivering coaching sessions;

Experience of coaching children;

Experience of office work.

We aim to be in the office Monday to Friday 10:30am-4:30pm with 1-hour lunch, may involve occasional matchdays, weekday evenings and Saturdays.

Please speak with your Work Coach who will help you prepare for the application and potential interview. If you are on universal credit, you will need to be referred on.

We will provide a full staff induction and you will be expected as a minimum to undertake health and safety and safeguarding training. 

You will have access to a staff induction through Ecotricity.

You will have access to training through the EFL Trust and the Premier League Community Foundation and local authorities. 

We will complete a full training needs audit to assess requirements and we will provide role specific training as this arises. 

You will be supported by a Line Manager and Mentor in FGR Community.

Successful applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance prior to taking the job role. 

To apply, email your CV and covering letter to community@fgr.co.uk by July 31st.

FGR Community promote inclusion and confront and eliminate discrimination whether by reason of age, gender, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marital status or civil partnership, nationality, ethnicity (race), religion or belief, ability or disability, pregnancy and maternity and encourage equal opportunities. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and/or experienced persons.