June 2011

Jobseeking youngsters benefit from skills training with Swansea City FC

Fifteen young jobseekers from the Swansea area took part in a programme with Swansea City Football Club to gain experience and qualifications in sports leadership thanks to The Prince’s Trust

‘Get into Sports Leadership’ is a free training programme run by The Prince’s Trust in partnership with Swansea City FC Football in the Community. The five week programme gives young people the chance to gain a wide range of skills and qualifications to help them find a job.

During the course they will work towards a number of qualifications, including sports leadership and first aid awards. They will also gain work experience working alongside the Swansea City FC Football in the Community coaches.

Julio Waters, 24, from Neath, said:

I was unemployed before joining the programme. I had done some coaching before and it was something I was really interested in so I was really excited and pleased to be accepted. The first week has been really great and I’m looking forward to the next few weeks. I have learned so much already and I would love to carry on and eventually work with young people or even be a coach myself.

The Prince’s Trust helps change young lives. The Trust works with young people who have struggled at school, have been in care, are long-term unemployed or have been in trouble with the law. More than three in four young people on Prince’s Trust schemes move into work, education or training.

Rick Libbey, Director of The Prince’s Trust Cymru, said:

We run the ‘Get Into’ programme, in partnership with employers, to give young people the skills, training and experience they need to find work. We are delighted to be working with Swansea City FC Football in the Community on this very worthwhile programme.

Linden Jones, Head Coach at Swansea City FC Football in the Community said:

It’s great to get involved with the youngsters from the local community and help them along with qualifications and life skills. Swansea City has always been a family and community club and helping these young people gain these qualifications can only help both them and the local community.