Wycombe Wanderers is one of 65 EFL clubs that has signed up for the government’s Kickstart scheme, providing hundreds of jobs for young people.
Involved clubs, via the Kickstart scheme, will offer six-month work placement jobs roles to young people in their respective local communities 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, such as the Wycombe Wanderers Sports & Education Trust, will include roles in business admin, sports coaches, marketing, ground staff, finance, youth work, graphic design, film & photography and HR and data administration.
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 the Coronavirus pandemic, 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.
WWSET Head of Education Mark Heath said: “We are proud to be able to offer employment to young people in the community and help those affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. The club has earned a reputation as one that is proactive in the face of this tough time, having made the Adams Park Stadium available as a vaccination centre in the last few months, and it is just great to be able to build on this by taking part in the Kickstart scheme.” He continued, “The Kickstart scheme will only add to the opportunities available for young people from the High Wycombe area. We’re looking forward to bringing young and dynamic individuals to the Trust through the Kickstart initiative, which we are sure will prove to be a mutually beneficial experience.”
Mims Davies MP, Minister for Employment 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.”
For more information and for those interested in the Kickstart, please email community@wwfc.com, including ‘Kickstart’ in the subject line. We will keep our community updated on progress.
