Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
lfe.org.uk

Welcome to the
Apprenticeship
Programme
Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Contents                                                                     Welcome to the
                                                                             Apprenticeship programme
3    Welcome                                30   Equality and Diversity               The Apprenticeship programme offers each
4    Foreword                               31   Health & Safety                      apprentice the chance to fulfil his dream of becoming
                                                                                      a professional footballer, while at the same time
6    About Us                               32	Personal Development,
                                                Life Skills and Transition
                                                                                      providing him with the opportunity to develop
8    Our Partners                                                                     academic skills in an environment suitable for his
                                            38   Celebrating Success
10   Keeping you informed                                                             all-round personal development.
                                            40   Additional Information
12   Player and Club Testimonials                                                     We realise that for many young men the apprenticeship is both an exciting
                                            42   Contacts                             but daunting proposition, so the purpose of this booklet is to try to
15   Apprenticeship Programme
                                            43   LFE Online                           provide you with the information that will help you better understand the
25   Change of Circumstances                                                          apprentice journey.
27   Discipline                                                                       League Football Education will work hard to provide a supportive
                                                                                      environment to allow apprentices to thrive, while positive input from
29   Safeguarding                                                                     parents/guardians is also vitally important.
                                                                                      The transition from full-time education to the rigours and demands of
                                                                                      training and playing every day is a challenging but rewarding experience.
                                                                                      Over the next two years as an apprentice, the focus will undoubtedly be
                                                                                      on progressing through the youth and development sides to the first-team.
                                                                                      However, the education programme is also a key factor in developing a
                                                                                      broader identity that can contribute to success on and off the pitch. As a
                                                                                      result, it is crucial to remain committed and set goals and targets which will
                                                                                      provide a platform to achieve the qualifications.
                                                                                      I would encourage all apprentices to make the most of this exciting and
                                                                                      privileged opportunity, ensuring they enjoy the all-round experience and
                                                                                      realise that it is essential to maintain focus on their football alongside
                                                                                      education.
                                                                                      We hope this booklet gives you a good introduction to LFE and answers
                                                                                      many of your questions. However, a list of LFE contacts is available for you
                                                                                      to approach and receive further guidance.

                                                                                      Sarah Stephen
                                                                                      Chief Executive

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
A word from Joe Thompson

I would like to offer a warm welcome to the world of full-time football
and in particular to the Apprenticeship programme.                                                          "Ultimately, if you
                                                                                                              can look yourself in
It’s an exciting time as a 16-year-old to earn        Being identified as ‘the footballer’ follows you        the mirror after two
a two-year apprenticeship at a professional           around as a young person in an academy and
                                                                                                              years and say ‘I gave
football club. It really is the start of a journey.   so it’s healthy to have another string to your
You’ve got to have that focus and motivation          bow. Having won Apprentice of the Year back             it my all in every
to have your own mind and keep following the          in 2007, I’m living proof that showing dedication       aspect’ then that’s
path you want to lead. Setbacks and failures are      to the academic side of things doesn’t mean             all you can ask for."
something you will have to deal with along the        that you are limiting your chances in gaining a
way. At times you will need the resilience to go      professional contract.
again, but that is part and parcel of football and    Throughout the two years, you will also have
life in general.                                      multiple Life Skills sessions, which are so
Everyone develops at different stages within          important. All of the different elements, like
the two-year apprenticeship. You might not play       mental health, addiction, social media and
that much in your first year and then get a lot       personal development, are things that you need
of opportunities in your second year. The moral       to be aware of in order to stay healthy. There’s
of the story is that you’ve got to be ready at all    an air of maturity and a willingness to learn that
times.                                                comes with developing as a person, which then
                                                      transfers onto the pitch.
The apprenticeship helps you with this. There
are many reminders of the stats that show that        Ultimately, if you can look yourself in the mirror
almost half of apprentices gain a professional        after two years and say ‘I gave it my all in every
contract and there are different options and          aspect’ then that’s all you can ask for. If it goes
avenues that you can take. For example, I know        your way then brilliant, if it doesn’t then there’s
some from my group at Rochdale that went on           more to life than football. It doesn’t define who
to get scholarships in America. You’re shaping        you are and you might find another passion
your life and you need to make sure you’ve got        along the way that you’d rather pursue.
plans in place for any eventuality.                   I would recommend being open-minded and
I’ve seen towards the end of my career that your      always be willing to listen. Anyone that’s trying
football will flourish if you’re comfortable and      to teach you or explain a message, you’ve got to
you know that you’ve got alternatives in place.       ask yourself why they’re doing it. Either they’ve
If you’ve put all your eggs in one basket and         experienced it and they’ve learned the lesson
discard your education and then football doesn’t      themselves, or they know someone that has, so
pan out as you wished, you’re left with nothing.      they’re just trying to help you and it’s important
                                                      to take on board that wisdom.
There are many transferable skills involved.
Although you’ve been used to using your body          Good luck and very best wishes.
as your tool, that doesn’t mean you can’t engage      Joe Thompson
your brain. You learn about time-keeping,             Former pro footballer, two-time cancer survivor
discipline, sacrifice, teamwork and that your diet    and now motivational speaker
and your well-being are important.

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
About Us

Who are we?                                       Why are we here?
LFE was established by The English Football       We are here to manage and operate the
League and The Professional Footballers           apprenticeship programme on behalf of all
Association to manage the Apprenticeship          English Football League clubs.
programme.                                        LFE is funded by the Education and Skills
We have a network of staff working across the     Funding Agency, the European Social Fund and
country dealing with club and college staff to    by football. The education programme has been
support apprentices throughout their two years.   designed by our sector skills council SkillsActive
LFE aim to help all apprentices achieve the       in partnership with football authorities and
requirements to complete the apprenticeship       government agencies.
and to support apprentices moving into positive   Our Regional Officers are your direct link with
destinations at the end of the programme.         LFE. They are the people who you can turn to
Our Regional Officers visit apprentices on a      for help and advice on any subject during the
regular basis to monitor progress. Any problems   next two years. Our Regional Officers and all
or concerns can be raised with them.              LFE staff are here to ensure that apprentices are
                                                  given the best chance possible to fully benefit
                                                  from the Apprenticeship programme.
                                                  Your Regional Officer should be your first point
                                                  of contact with LFE, however you can also speak
                                                  to central office staff.
                                                  Contact information for all staff can be found on
                                                  page 42.

Did you know
Our Regional Officers visit
apprentices on a regular basis
to monitor progress. Any
problems or concerns can be
raised with them.

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Our Partners

              The Professional Footballers Association                                                English Football League (EFL)
              The world’s longest established            Today the PFA directly and indirectly        History                                    Youth Development
              professional sportsmen’s union, the        employs a significant number of people       Formed in 1888 by its twelve founder       It is the EFL’s long-term ambition to
              Professional Footballers Association       in key areas such as education and           members, under the direction of            continue to create more and better
              was formed in 1907 at the Imperial         training for post-football careers,          pioneer William McGregor, the English      opportunities for young players to
              Hotel Manchester, and has continued to     accident and medical insurance,              Football League (EFL) is the world’s       become professional footballers,
              develop and expand.                        coaching, financial management,              original league football competition and   investing over £90million into Youth
              Contact the PFA through your club          contract advice and pension                  is the template for leagues the world      Development each season.
              representative or write to:                management for the benefit of more           over.                                      Last season, almost 45% of EFL scholars
                                                         than 4,000 current members and
              The PFA                                                                                 Its 72 member clubs embody the             gained a professional contract with
                                                         50,000 former members worldwide.
              20 Oxford Court                                                                         unique heritage, pride and passion of      an EFL club, with those that were
              Bishopsgate                                The PFA works alongside many other           the communities that they represent,       unsuccessful gaining support from
              Manchester                                 national and international bodies and        providing the game with a platform to      League Football Education to move into
              M2 3WQ                                     has carried out projects in key areas such   become a truly global phenomenon.          further education, semi-professional
                                                         as drug awareness                                                                       football or full-time employment.
              T: 0161 236 0575                                                                        Competitions
                                                         and testing and an anti-racism campaign.                                                The national team are also benefiting
              www.thepfa.com
                                                         All the benefits of PFA membership are       The Sky Bet EFL is comprised of three      from the strength and depth of EFL
                                                         available to apprentices, these include:     divisions – the Sky Bet Championship,      club academies, with 20 out of the 23
                                                                                                      Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet             players in the England 2018 World Cup
                                                         •D
                                                           iscretionary post-18 educational
                                                                                                      League Two – with 24 teams in each         squad having either come through EFL
                                                          grant system
                                                                                                      division. 552 regular season matches       academies, made their debuts in the EFL
                                                         •C
                                                           ontractual assistance/player              per division culminate in the high and     or played on loan in the EFL.
                                                          management                                  lows of the end-of-season Play-Offs,
                                                                                                                                                 In its aim to provide young footballers
                                                         • Representation on disciplinary issues      including three showpiece finals at
                                                                                                                                                 a clear pathway of progression from
                                                         • Access to legal and financial advice       Wembley Stadium.
                                                                                                                                                 Academy to first team, EFL clubs agreed
                                                         It is highly recommended you join the        Alongside league competitions, the         to include seven home grown players on
                                                         PFA. The Costs are £20 per year plus a       Carabao Cup was established in 1960        team sheets. The EFL also introduced
                                                         one-off joining fee of £20.                  and is English football’s midweek cup      a requirement for at least one club-
                                                                                                      competition, featuring all 72 EFL Clubs    developed player to be named on each
                                                                                                      and 20 from the Premier League,            team sheet for any EFL League game at
                                                                                                      with the winners of the competition        the start of the 2018/19 season.
                                                                                                      receiving entry into the following
                                                                                                      season’s UEFA Europa League.               Community
                                                                                                      A second midweek competition, the          Off the pitch, the EFL Trust and Club
                                                                                                      Checkatrade Trophy, comprises of all       Community Schemes work tirelessly,
                                                                                                      48 Sky Bet League One and League           using the power of football to positively
                                                                                                      Two clubs, as well as 16 invited U21       impact towns, cities and people’s lives
                                                                                                      teams. The competition has a history of    up and down the country. Connecting
                                                                                                      promoting innovation and opportunity,      people of all ages and backgrounds, the
                                                                                                      having undergone several changes in        EFL Trust network changes people’s
                                                                                                      format since its inception in 1983.        lives by improving health, boosting
                                                                                                                                                 education and bringing communities
                                                           Did you know                                                                          closer together. The EFL is committed
                                                           The PFA looks after                                                                   to ensuring inclusivity across all reaches
                                                                                                                                                 of the game and that the League’s 72
                                                           more than 4,000 current                                                               clubs reflect the diverse nature of the
                                                           members and 50,000                                                                    communities they represent.
                                                           former members worldwide.

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Keeping you informed                                                                                         Publications
                                                                                                             Publications include Touchline
                                                                                                             - our quarterly magazine - and
                                                                                                             guides to support players
LFE is committed to supporting all apprentices       LFETV showcases our Goal of the Month                   considering Higher Education
throughout and beyond their two-year                 competition which features the best goals from          or soccer scholarships in the
apprenticeships.                                     all the Academy Leagues and attracts over               USA.
We have developed a number of channels               25,000 viewers each season.
to engage everyone associated with the               We utilise an e-learning platform to manage the
apprenticeship programme.                            education programme and to provide players
Our website and social media channels are the        with useful guidance and information on a
first port of call for the latest news.              variety of real life issues like dealing with agents,
                                                     money, drugs and sex.
We tackle all areas from apprenticeship related
issues to coverage of all the U18 Leagues -
incorporating fixtures, results, league tables and
match reports.

                                                                        Digital & Social Media
                                                                        Follow us online and via
                                                                        Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
                                                                        and YouTube to stay ahead of
                                                                        the latest developments.

                                                                                                             Face-to-face
                                                                                                             LFE staff support apprentices
                                                                                                             throughout and beyond the
                                                                                                             two-year programme to help
                                                                                                             players realise their potential.

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Player and Club Testimonials

                           Ryan Sessegnon                                        Jack MacFarlane                                        Scott Fitzgerald                                                 Mark Wilgose
                           Fulham                                                Brighton & Hove Albion                                 Academy Manager,                                                 Head of Education
                           (Now Tottenham                                        (Now Law graduate from                                 Millwall                                                         and Welfare,
                           Hotspur)                                              University of Portsmouth)                                                                                               Sheffield United
                                                                                                                                                         FO OTBA
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                                                                                                                                        MILL

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                                                                                                                                                         1885

The 2018 EFL Awards were dominated by Ryan           Former Brighton & Hove Albion apprentice                At Millwall we take great pride from the work                  We tell every player that comes on an
as he claimed five trophies, including LFE’s         Jack is already targeting managerial roles at TJ        we do to develop young players at youth level.                 apprenticeship at Sheffield United that
Championship Apprentice of the Year.                 Transport after achieving a first-class degree in       It is extremely rewarding to see a number of                   Education is not part of a Plan B, it is part of Plan
The talented England youth international was a       Law in 2018.                                            youngsters graduate into the first-team.                       A in terms of helping them to become a better
mainstay in Fulham’s team throughout the full        “My apprenticeship really prepared me for                                                                              person, a better footballer and giving them a
                                                                                                             Ben Thompson, Aiden O’Brien, Billy Mitchell
length of his apprenticeship and earned a £25m       University in a way I never expected,” he said.                                                                        better understanding of the game they play.
                                                                                                             and George Alexander have all progressed in
move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.                   “It taught me to be independent, I was a lot            recent times.                                                  It is a message that reverberates around our
And yet, Ryan remained committed to his              more mature and it gave me life skills that made                                                                       Academy and one that is fully endorsed by our
                                                                                                             As a club we are fully committed to both
academic studies. He told LFE: “It’s been            me ready for the experience of meeting new                                                                             Academy Manager, Jack Lester, who had a long
                                                                                                             the football and educational aspects of the
important to me to pass my education because         people, taking on new challenges and living                                                                            playing career before beginning his coaching
                                                                                                             Apprenticeship scheme because by striking the
you never know what can happen.                      away from home.”                                                                                                       career.
                                                                                                             right balance between the two we can ensure
“I don’t really get a lot of free time but when I                                                            that the needs of every individual apprentice are              We want all of our young players to prosper
do I make sure I do the right things and just keep                                                           met.                                                           and fulfil their potential. Kyle Walker, Dominic
working on making myself better, whether that’s                                                                                                                             Calvert-Lewin, Harry Maguire and others have
                                                                                                             The apprenticeship is about producing players
football or education.”                                                                                                                                                     come through the system here to make huge
                                                                                                             but also individuals who can be a success away
                                                                                                                                                                            strides in the game while others have gone on
                                                                                                             from the game.
                                                                                                                                                                            to soccer scholarships in America, studied for
                           Jamie Hopcutt                                         Alex Willis                 The nature of the programme helps to develop                   degrees in the UK or gone on to other jobs.
                           York City                                             Charlton Athletic           transferable skills that are a great back-up
                                                                                                                                                                            ​ ll of our players go out on work experience
                                                                                                                                                                            A
                           (Eight seasons at                                     (Now Northern               for those that just fall short of making it as
                                                                                                                                                                            to businesses in the local community that are
                           Östersunds FK)                                        Kentucky University)        a professional footballer.
                                                                                                                                                                            partners of the club. We want to get them out
                                                                                                                                                                            into the big wide world just so they get a feel
                                                                                                                                                                            of what it is like to do a real job so they can
                                                                                                                                                                            appreciate what the working world is like for
                                                                                                                                                                            a lot of people and get a breadth of different
                                                                                                                                                                            experiences while they are here.
Having been released by York City in 2010,           Despite being offered a professional contract by
Jamie has forged an impressive career in             Charlton, the lure of a soccer scholarship in the
Sweden.                                              USA took Alex to the other side of the Atlantic.
Converted into a central striker, Hopcutt played     “I would say you get the best of both worlds, in
a key role in helping Ostersunds FK reach the        terms of preparing for the distant future with a
Swedish Premier League for the first time in         degree, but also working every day to become
their history and featured during the club’s         a better player and striving to be a professional
stunning 2017-18 Europa League run, even             footballer,” he said.
starting at the Emirates Stadium in a 2-1 victory    “It’s a life-changing experience and one I would
over Arsenal.                                        highly recommend as it has helped me as a                 "We want all of our young players to prosper and fulfil their potential.
Hopcutt had been turning out for Tadcaster           person and a player.”
Albion before making the switch to Scandinavia
                                                                                                                 Kyle Walker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harry Maguire and others have
via LFE’s Erasmus+ player placement                                                                              come through the system here to make huge strides in the game"
programme.

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Apprenticeship Programme

                                             This section gives a brief outline of the
                                             components to make up the Apprenticeship
                                             programme and the process that is undertaken
                                             to ensure that apprentices’ individual needs
                                             are identified and met over the course of the
                                             two-year programme.
                                             LFE is funded by the Education and Skills Funding
                                             Agency (ESFA) and the European Social Fund
                                             (ESF) to deliver the Apprenticeship programme.
                                             A conceptual diagram is outlined below.

                                                                                     Sporting Excellence
                                                                                    Professional (Level 3)
                                                                                         Football Player
                                                                                          Development

                                                                                                               BTEC and/or
                                                             Certificate
                                                                                      Apprenticeship         A-Level (Level 3)
                                                            in Coaching
                                                              (Level 2)                programme                Academic
                                                                                                                Education

                                                                                       Functional Skills
                                                                                          (Level 2)
                                                                                     English & Mathematics

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Apprenticeship Programme

Initial Assessment                                 Induction                                           Apprentice Reviews                                   Review Cycle
Initial Assessments are carried out with every     This will be carried out at the start of the        Apprentice reviews are conducted with LFE            Reviews will be conducted at regular intervals
apprentice to establish academic ability. Where    apprenticeship. LFE provide each club with a        Regional Officers and are recorded on an             throughout the apprenticeship. It is essential
possible LFE Regional Officers will undertake      set of standard induction units that includes the   e-learning platform. The review process clearly      that apprentices are available for reviews.
initial assessments in partnership with the        following topics:                                   establishes the level of progress made, and          The only acceptable absences from reviews are
following people:                                  • Education programme                               agreed actions for each apprentice. Regional         as follows:
• The apprentice’s parents/guardians                                                                   Officers are responsible for coordinating this
                                                   • Employment Rights & Responsibilities                                                                   • Apprentices selected for the first team or
                                                                                                       process.
•T
  he Education & Welfare Officer/Academy          • Equality & Diversity                                                                                      international duty
 Manager                                                                                               Reviews will be collated in the following areas:
                                                   • Health & Safety                                                                                        • Apprentices involved in FA Youth Cup matches
•A
  tutor from the dedicated educational                                                                •S
                                                                                                         porting Excellence Professional (completed
                                                   • Club Rules & Regulations                                                                               • Apprentices who produce a sick note from the
 establishment                                                                                          by the Tutor Assessor)
                                                                                                                                                               doctor or club physiotherapist
                                                   • Anti-Doping                                       •B
                                                                                                         TEC Sporting Excellence and Performance
The assessment will normally be carried out
                                                   • Safeguarding                                       instead of Technical Certificate                    The Football Development Programme
between January and August and will enable the
apprentice to be placed on the most appropriate    • Apprentice Well-being                             • Functional Skills English and Maths (completed   The football training programme will cover:
educational programme based upon expected                                                                  by Functional Skills tutor if appropriate)       • Pre-Season Training - This period of time is
GCSE results. All apprentices will undertake                                                           • Employer/club comment                                used to ensure that the apprentice will be able
an online bksb assessment as part of the Initial                                                                                                               meet the fitness requirements for professional
                                                                                                       The Regional Officer will use the collected
Assessment process.                                                                                                                                            football.
                                                                                                       information to discuss progress and overall
Final Assessment                                                                                       development of the apprentice.                       • Football Training - This will include work
                                                                                                                                                               on technical and tactical skills, physical
A second assessment will take place in late
                                                                                                                                                               conditioning and psychology
August/early September when the apprentices
have had their GCSE results confirmed.                                                                                                                      • Football Coaching
Should the GCSE results achieved confirm                                                                                                                    • Assessments of Progress - Apprentices will
the grades given at the Initial Assessment,                                                                                                                    be evaluated on technical ability, teamwork,
the apprentice will be able to commence the                                                                                                                    character and physical condition
academic programme agreed previously.                                                                                                                       • Apprentices will follow their club’s specific
However, if the apprentice has either exceeded                                                                                                                 coaching programme and philosophy over the
or not achieved the grades given at the Initial                                                                                                                next two years.
Assessment, further discussions will take place                                                                                                             Education
to ensure an appropriate academic programme is
                                                                                                                                                            The educational programme has been
designed to meet the apprentice’s needs.
                                                                                                                                                            specifically designed for elite athletes and
                                                                                                                                                            is geared towards nationally recognised
                                                                                                                                                            qualifications. The educational programme will
                                                                                                                                                            consist of the following elements:
                                                                                                                                                            • Sporting Excellence Professional (Level 3)
                                                                                                                                                            • Academic Education (Level 3)
                                                                                                                                                            • Functional Skills (Level 2)
                                                                                                                                                            • Certificate in Coaching (Level 2)

                                                                                                                                                              Individual apprentice reviews
                                                                                                                                                              are conducted to ensure that all
                                                                                                                                                              apprentices can fulfil their true
                                                                                                                                                              potential

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Apprenticeship Programme - Welcome to the lfe.org.uk - League Football Education
Apprenticeship Programme

Sporting Excellence Professional (Level 3)             Core Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours                  Practical Observation                               Professional Interview supported
The Sporting Excellence Professional                   • Technical performance – the movement and            The apprentice must be observed by an               by a portfolio of evidence
Apprenticeship Standard is being introduced in            skills that underpin techniques required to play    independent assessor undertaking a range of         The professional interview is a structured
full for the 2020-21 season, having been piloted          professional football                               day-to-day tasks as part of their regular working   discussion between the apprentice and an
by seven clubs during the 2019-20 campaign.            • Tactical performance – understanding strategy       patterns and training / match play schedules.       independent assessor. The interview must last
The key activities of an Apprentice on the                and approach to professional football               The practical observations should include the       for 90 minutes, although additional interview
Sporting Excellence Professional are to:                                                                      following:                                          time may be granted for apprentices with
                                                       • Physical performance – development of
                                                                                                                                                                  appropriate needs.
•e
  ffectively and successfully represent their            physical capabilities to apply in a professional    •D
                                                                                                                ata analysis session (15 minutes)
 employer on the field of play at a local,                environment                                                                                             This will be supported by a portfolio of evidence,
                                                                                                              •P
                                                                                                                ractical training session (60 minutes)
 regional, national or international level                                                                                                                        which should have a minimum of 20 and a
                                                       • Injury and risk management                          •P
                                                                                                                ractical training session debrief (15 minutes)   maximum of 25 pieces of evidence. Examples of
•u
  ndertake a daily training routine, supported        • Effective, safe and inclusive practice              •V
                                                                                                                ideo showcase (45 minutes)                       evidence are:
 by a multi-disciplinary team, to ensure they
                                                       • Anti-doping                                         •Q
                                                                                                                uestion and Answer session with the              • individual learning and development plans
 retain and develop the technical, tactical,
 physical and psychological skills necessary for       • Nutritional performance                              Independent Assessor (45 minutes)                  • witness testimonies
 performing at the professional level                  • Psychological and emotional performance – the                                                           • poster presentations
•p
  ractice a lifestyle conducive to maintaining a         ability to cope with the psychological demands of
                                                                                                                                                                  • video analysis of match play
 high level of performance                                a sport in order to perform at an optimum level
                                                                                                                                                                  • digital storytelling
•a
  ct as an ambassador for their employer, sport       • Communications
                                                                                                                                                                  • training logs
 and governing body in relation to younger             • Lifestyle and personal development
 players, fans and the local community –               • Career and self-development
 including their approach to diversity, equality
                                                       • Integrated approach to performance – the
 and inclusion
                                                          active combination of all disciplines that
•a
  ctively plan for life after their sporting career      contribute equally to achieve high performance
 and to supplement the next phase of playing
                                                       • Behaviours, professionalism and values
 contract
                                                       End Point Assessment
                                                       The End Point Assessment consists of three
                                                       distinct assessment methods.
                                                       • A knowledge test with multiple-choice
                                                          questions and scenario-based questions
                                                       • A practical observation with questions and
                                                          answers
                                                       • A professional interview, supported by a
                                                          portfolio of evidence.
                                                       Knowledge Test
                                                       The knowledge test should be taken as early as
                                                       possible in the three-month period of the EPA to
                                                       allow for subsequent marking.
                                                       The test will be comprised of 40 mandatory
                                                       multiple-choice questions and 6 scenario-based
                                                       questions. The knowledge test is graded as fail,
                                                       pass or distinction.
                                                       Apprentices will have 90 minutes to complete the
                                                       knowledge test, which will be closed book – i.e.
                                                       the apprentice cannot refer to reference books or
                                                       materials.

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Apprenticeship Programme

Academic Education                                                    BTEC National Extended Diploma                             A-Levels
Academic Education consists of the BTEC                               (1080 GLH)                                                 If an Apprentice wishes to undertake A-Level
Sporting Excellence and Performance and/ or                           Includes seven mandatory units. Learners must              qualifications, they will need their respective
A-Levels. This should be discussed with the                           at least 300 GLH of optional units.                        LFE Regional Officer and club Head of Education
apprentice at Initial and Final Assessments with                      Learners must achieve a Pass or above in all               to complete an approval form.
the LFE Regional Officer and will be subject to                       mandatory units.                                           A-Levels can be difficult to timetable into the
anticipated/confirmed GCSE results.                                                                                              football training programme. Club Heads of
                                                                      Course Length and Duration
There are three BTEC qualification sizes:                                                                                        Education and LFE Regional Officers can offer
                                                                      The Extended Certificate qualification could be            more guidance on this subject.
BTEC National Extended Certificate                                    completed over one year, while the Diploma and
(360 Guided Learning Hours)                                                                                                      LFE’s minimum entry criteria is the following:
                                                                      Extended Diploma should be completed over
Includes three mandatory units.                                       two years.                                                 •F
                                                                                                                                   ive GCSE’s at grade 7 or above, with one
                                                                                                                                  GCSE at grade 8 or 9
BTEC National Diploma
                                                                                                                                 • English (Language or Literature OR Maths
(720 GLH)
                                                                        Did you know                                                at grade 7 or above (can be included in the
Includes five mandatory units. Learners must                                                                                        required five)
complete one optional unit totalling 120 GLH or                         As a rough guide*, when making
                                                                                                                                 • Grade 7 or above in the A-Level subject(s) that
two optional units totalling 60 GLH each.                               a university application...                                 they wish to study (exceptions may apply)
                                                                        Extended Diploma = 3 x A-Levels                          Expectations for the Apprentice:
                                                                        Diploma = 2 x A-Levels                                   • Attend classes
                                                                        Extended Certificate = 1 x A-Level                       • Complete coursework as required
                                                                                                                                 • Hit targets that are set
BTEC Units                                                                                                                       • To contact their Regional Officer if they have
                                                                                  Unit    Extended      Diploma      Extended
                                                                                                                                    any concern
 Unit (number and title)                                                          size    Certificate                 Diploma
                                                                                 (GLH)    (360 GLH)     (720 GLH)   (1080 GLH)
 A     Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry                            90         M            M            M
 B     Health, Wellbeing and Sport                                                 90         M            M            M
 C1    Developing Coaching Skills                                                 180                                   O
 C2   Fitness Skills Development                                                  180                                   O
 C3   Professional Sports Performer                                               180         M            M            M
 D3   Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Professional Performance                 180                      M            M
 E    Research Project in Sport (Pearson-set)                                     120                      O            M
 1    Sports Development                                                           60                      O            O
 4    Nutrition for Physical Performance                                           60                      M            M
 7    Functional Sports Massage                                                    60                      O            O
 11   Rules, Regulations and Officiating in Sport                                  60                      O            O
 13   Influence of Technology in Sport                                             60                      O            O
 14   Organising Events in Sport and Physical Activities                           60                      O            O
 15   Ethical and Current Issues in Sport                                          60                      O            O
 16   Marketing Communications                                                     60                                   O
 17   Corporate Social Responsibility in Sports                                    60                                   O
 18   Sport and Leisure Facility Operations                                        60                                   O
 19   Sports Tourism                                                               60                                   O
 20   School Sport Delivery                                                        60                      O            O
 22   Sports Law and Legislation                                                   60                      O            O
 23   Psychology for Professional Sports Performance                               60                      O            M

*Optional unit selections will be determined by LFE at the start of the Apprenticeship.

20 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                       *For the full UCAS Tariff Table, see LFE’s ‘Guide to Higher Educations Applications’   lfe.org.uk 21
Apprenticeship Programme

Functional Skills                                     Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football           Aims & Objectives of the Coaching Certificate          The Value of your Coaching Qualification
These are Level 2 qualifications in English and       As part of the programme, each apprentice will     The coaching qualification underpins the work          The coaching certificate provides a formal and
Maths that must be passed if GCSE English and/        also undertake the 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate   that each apprentice completes on the Level            recognised qualification.
or Maths are not achieved in school at Grade 4        in Coaching Football. This includes units on:      3 Sporting Excellence Professional and allows          The course, which is a stepping stone to the
or above. Functional Skills must be passed before     • Coaching principles and ethics                   apprentices to:                                        UEFA B Licence, should also allow the apprentice
an apprentice can go through the End Point                                                               •D
                                                                                                           evelop an appreciation of the ethical               to understand the role of the coach, improve
                                                      • Planning coaching sessions
Assessment process of the Sporting Excellence                                                             coaching process                                      upon their personal skills such as communication
Professional (SEP).                                   • Conducting coaching sessions
                                                                                                         •P
                                                                                                           lan, conduct and evaluate a series of football      and give them greater responsibility.
Course Length and Duration                            Course Length and Duration                          coaching sessions                                     It also affords apprentices the opportunity to
The length of the course depends on the number        The course will comprise of:                       • Coach the basic skills and techniques of football   coach in the following areas:
of topics that each learner needs to cover, but       • Theory and practical training                       to others                                           • American Soccer Camps
ideally it will be completed within the first year    • Child Protection                                 • Ensure the health and safety of players and         • Academies* & Development Centres
of the apprenticeship. Some will complete in                                                                others within the coaching environment
                                                      • First Aid                                                                                               • Football in the Community
less than 10 hours, whereas others will need
                                                      • Coaching Hours                                   • Develop greater responsibility for your own         • Soccer schools
the whole year for the content they need to
                                                                                                            learning and development
cover. Functional Skills courses are tailored to      • Formative Assessment                                                                                    • Local schools
the individual, so only the topics that need to be                                                       •D
                                                                                                           emonstrate an understanding of the principles
                                                                                                                                                                * Dependent on the role, a UEFA B Licence may be required
covered will be studied.                                                                                  of attack and defence through the use of
                                                                                                          practices and small-sided games
Assessment                                              Did you know
                                                                                                         FA Introduction to First Aid in Football
Functional Skills assessments are all taken online,     As part of their programme, each
on demand. This means that when an apprentice                                                            This will also be delivered at the same time as
                                                        apprentice will also undertake                   the 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching
is ready, they can take assessments. Results are
back in within 20 working days.                         the 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in             Football. The apprentice will receive tuition
Maths assessments are 25 mins for test A and 90         Coaching Football.                               from a qualified emergency aid instructor and
                                                                                                         learn to deal with emergency situations such
mins for test B
                                                                                                         as choking, heart attacks, major bleeding and
English Reading assessments are 75 minutes                                                               the resuscitation of unconscious casualties. On
English Writing assessments are 60 minutes                                                               completion this certificate is valid for a period of
English Speaking Listening and Communication is                                                          three years.
internally assessed for approximately 30 minutes

22 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                                                 lfe.org.uk 23
Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                      Change of Circumstances

Wages                                           Lodgings and Accommodation                                    This section outlines the various ways in which    Termination for Disciplinary Reasons
At the time of writing, the current national    Where it is unreasonable for an apprentice to                 an apprentice’s circumstances might change         Page 25 outlines the standard disciplinary
minimum wage rates for apprentices is as        travel to the club from home, lodgings should                 during the course of the programme.                procedures that should be imposed on
follows:                                        be provided by the club. However clubs will be                Termination by Mutual Consent                      apprentices who breach either club regulations
•£
  4.15 per hour from April 2020 - the rate     entitled to charge apprentices up to £8.20 per                                                                   or the code of discipline concerning college
                                                                                                              In order for an apprentice’s contract to be
 for apprentices aged 16-18 and those aged      day from April 2020.                                                                                             attendance.
                                                                                                              terminated by mutual consent, both the
 19 or over who are in their first year as an   In line with English Football League (EFL) Rules              apprentice and the club must confirm their         Clubs must ensure that the procedures on page
 apprentice                                     on Youth Development and current legislation                  agreement with the terms of the termination.       27 are followed and that LFE is involved in each
•£
  6.45 per hour for an apprentice aged 19 in   clubs shall, in all dealings with apprentices,                It is strongly advised that apprentices who may    stage of the disciplinary process.
 the second year of their apprenticeship.       do what is reasonable for the purpose of                      be considering terminating by mutual consent
                                                safeguarding apprentices’ welfare.                            should discuss this matter with their LFE
Most clubs will operate their apprenticeship
programmes on a 30 hour per week basis.         Clubs are expected to ensure that lodgings are                Regional Officer or The PFA who are aware of all
                                                in keeping with those required by a professional              the implications.
                                                sportsman and should utilise guidance approved
                                                                                                              Signing Professional Forms
                                                by the EFL.
                                                                                                              If a club signs an apprentice on a professional
                                                Under the terms and conditions of the
                                                                                                              contract on his 17th birthday, or before the end
                                                Scholarship/Apprenticeship Agreement section
                                                                                                              of his apprenticeship, English Football League
                                                5.3.1 The scholar shall not: “reside at any place
                                                                                                              rules state that he must continue with his
                                                which the club reasonably deems unsuitable for
                                                                                                              education course until it is completed.
                                                the performance of his obligations under the
                                                agreement.“
                                                If the apprentice was living a considerable
                                                distance away from the club then section 5.3.1
                                                could apply. Travelling long distances to and
                                                from training and matches could cause a number
                                                of problems such as fatigue which affected
                                                playing performance and learning, punctuality
                                                and attendance issues, and it may have a
                                                cost implication.
                                                Please note: Wage and accommodation rates are reviewed
                                                each year by Government. Changes to these rates are applied
                                                annually.

In line with English Football
League (EFL) Rules on Youth
Development and current
legislation clubs shall, in all
dealings with apprentices,
do what is reasonable for
the purpose of safeguarding
apprentices’ welfare.

24 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                                          lfe.org.uk 25
Change in Circumstances                                                                                   Discipline

Injury                                                Apprenticeship Work Experience Between Clubs        Apprentices are subject to club discipline and      Termination
There are two instances in which the                  Work experience allows an apprentice to             this should be made clear at induction, with        Clause 10.1 of the Apprenticeship Agreement
circumstances of an apprentice might change           spend a reasonable time training and playing        all club rules and regulations explained fully to   states that the club shall be entitled to
due to injury:                                        at another club.                                    apprentices.                                        terminate the agreement by fourteen days’
1. Recoverable Injury                                                                                    Apprentices should also be made aware of            notice in writing to the apprentice if, after
                                                      Implications
    Apprentices who are suspended from the                                                                the disciplinary code of practice for college       due investigation and enquiry, it is reasonably
                                                      If an apprentice is at another club on work         attendance.                                         satisfied that he:
    programme due to injury would still be
                                                      experience this does not prevent him from going
    expected to fulfil the educational element                                                            Schedule Two of the Scholarship/                    1. Shall be guilty of Gross Misconduct;
                                                      back to his original club as often as he likes.
    of the apprenticeship whilst undergoing                                                               Apprenticeship Agreement                            2. H
                                                                                                                                                                  as failed to heed any final written warning
                                                      Indeed, the apprentice can travel backwards and
    rehabilitation or treatment.                                                                                                                                 given under the provisions of Schedule Two
                                                      forwards on the strength of just one letter of      Should any apprentice fall foul of these
2. P
    ermanent Incapacity                              permission. No recalls are necessary.               regulations, then the disciplinary procedure           (see above); or
   Apprentices who suffer an injury which                                                                 outlined in Schedule Two of the Apprenticeship      3. I s convicted of any criminal offence where
                                                      The apprentice remains the original club’s player
   results in permanent incapacity shall, upon                                                            Agreement will apply. In summary, this                  the punishment consists of an immediate
                                                      who will hold his registration and be responsible
   receiving the correct notice (minimum 3                                                                procedure involves the following three steps:           custodial sentence of or exceeding three
                                                      for all travel, lodging and apprentice wage
   months) as laid down in clause 8 of the                                                                                                                        months.
                                                      payments. Should the apprentice be incurring        1. Investigation
   Apprentice’s Agreement, be released from
                                                      lodging or high travel costs, it will be the        2. Disciplinary Hearing                             Notice of Termination
   the apprenticeship programme.
                                                      responsibility of the original club to come to an
                                                                                                          3. Appeals                                          Under Clause 10.2 of the Scholarship/
Long Term Injuries                                    agreement with the work experience club.
                                                                                                                                                              Apprenticeship Agreement, clubs are required
The club physiotherapist/doctor should make           English Football League clubs cannot play           Penalties and Termination
                                                                                                                                                              to include in any notice of termination full
a diagnosis to ascertain whether the apprentice       apprentices that are on work experience from        If, having followed the above procedure, an         particulars of the club’s reasons for terminating
has sustained an injury which could prevent him       another club in any match at first team level.      allegation is proved to the club’s satisfaction,    the agreement with copies sent to the EFL, the
from training/playing for a substantial period                                                            the club may apply the penalties outlined in        FA and the PFA. A copy should also be sent to
                                                      Arranging a Permanent Move
of time. This period of absence from playing/                                                             Schedule Two, Section 4 of the Apprenticeship       LFE.
training may prevent the club’s coaching staff        Permanent transfer of apprenticeships between       Agreement:
from carrying out a thorough assessment of the        clubs are allowed and in order to do this all                                                           Appeals
                                                                                                          1. Issue a formal warning which should be issued
apprentice’s playing ability. In the long term this   applications with the original club should be                                                           Clause 10.3 of the Apprenticeship Agreement
                                                                                                              as follows:
may affect the apprentice’s chances of being          cancelled and new forms signed at his new club.                                                         states that within seven days of receiving a
                                                                                                              (i) Verbal Warning
offered a professional contract.                                                                              (ii) First Written Warning                      termination notice the apprentice may appeal
Should this be the situation, the club may wish                                                               (iii) Final Written Warning                     against the decision of the club to the EFL.
to suspend the apprentice’s programme under                                                                                                                   All parties should then seek to ensure that the
                                                                                                          2. I mpose a fine not exceeding the amount of
Clause 4 of the Apprenticeship Agreement.                                                                                                                     appeal is heard within a further 28 days.
                                                                                                              50% of his monthly basic wage.
The clause states that if an apprentice is
                                                                                                          3. O
                                                                                                              rder the apprentice not to attend at any of
prevented from participating in the training
                                                                                                             the club’s premises for such a period as the
programme for a period in excess of five weeks,
                                                                                                             club thinks fit not exceeding two weeks.
the duration of the Apprenticeship Agreement
shall be extended by the length of the excess                                                             4. Where the circumstances set out in Clause
period or, if earlier, the apprentice’s 19th                                                                  10.1 of the Apprenticeship Agreement apply,
birthday.                                                                                                     terminate this agreement.

                                                        Apprentices who are suspended
                                                        from the programme due to injury
                                                        would still be expected to fulfil
                                                        the educational element of the
                                                        Apprenticeship whilst undergoing
                                                        rehabilitation or treatment.

26 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                                         lfe.org.uk 27
Discipline                                                                                                Safeguarding

College/Education Provider attendance              Exams/Assessments                                      LFE aim to ensure that every apprentice is              Allegations, concerns or disclosures of a child
As a condition of our funding from the ESFA,       A proportion of our funding from the ESFA is           trained in an enjoyable and safe environment            protection nature received from apprentices will
it is obligatory for all apprentices to attend     dependant upon apprentices actually achieving          and is protected from abuse. Apprentices should         be referred to the EFL Safeguarding Manager,
their college/education provider sessions each     the qualifications that they enter. It is therefore    be able to participate in an enjoyable and safe         The FA Case Management Team and/or
week (i.e. usually one and a half days on their    essential that apprentices are available to            environment protected from physical, sexual or          appropriate statutory agency. LFE’s designated
education programme).                              attend any exams/assessments in relation               emotional harm and from neglect or bullying.            safeguarding officer(s) will have a role to play in
                                                   to their educational/vocational courses. It is         LFE subscribe to The Football Association’s             investigating complaints of poor practice.
The education days are decided in consultation
with the club and, once agreed, it is the          the responsibility of the club to ensure that          ‘Working Together to Safeguard Football’                Click the links below for further sources of
responsibility of the club to ensure that          apprentices attend any such exams/assessments.         document. The key principles of The FA Child            information on safeguarding:
apprentices attend the college/education                                                                  Protection Policy are that:                             LFE
                                                   Code of discipline concerning college/education
provider on these days.                            provider attendance                                    • The child’s welfare is and must always be the        GOV.UK
Apprentices, if injured, must not miss their                                                                 paramount consideration
                                                   The following regulations are in place regarding                                                               The FA
academic work to receive routine treatment at      college attendance:                                    • All children and young people have a right to
                                                                                                                                                                  PFA Charity
the club. If the club requires the apprentice to                                                             be protected from abuse regardless of their
                                                   1. LFE reserve the right to remove an apprentice
receive treatment, the apprentice must be called                                                             age, gender, disability, culture, language, racial
                                                       from the education programme if they miss
in after college/education provider work has                                                                 origin, religious beliefs or sexual orientation
                                                       college or their education work on more than
finished.                                                                                                 •A
                                                                                                            ll suspicions and allegations of abuse will be
                                                       three occasions in one academic year without
The only acceptable absences from College are          a good reason (i.e. selection for the first team    taken seriously and responded to swiftly and
as follows:                                            or a sick note).                                    appropriately
• FA Youth Cup commitments                         2. A
                                                       pprentices misbehaving at college may be          •W
                                                                                                            orking in partnership with other
•A
  pprentices selected for the first team or          subject to the disciplinary procedures outlined      organisations, children and young people and
 international duty                                   on page 27.                                          their parents or carers is essential
•A
  pprentices who produce a sick note from the     3. A
                                                       pprentices who do not hand in written
 doctor or club physiotherapist                       work set by the college may be subject to the
                                                      disciplinary procedures outlined on page 27.

28 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                                             lfe.org.uk 29
Equality and Diversity                                                                                       Health and Safety
                                                                                                             Reporting of accidents/injuries and Industrial Diseases Procedure

LFE has a wide range of strategies to support the learner and the club                                       Process to be followed:                             PFA Accident and Insurance Fund

during the Apprenticeship programme to ensure that every apprentice                                          • I f the injury is going to be long term, the     Once you have obtained membership of the
                                                                                                                apprentice should make an application to         PFA you should be aware that the PFA makes
receives Equality of Opportunity.                                                                               Job Centre Plus for employment and support       a contribution to the English Football League
                                                                                                                allowance and/or income support as soon as       and Premier League on condition that all clubs
Our Position & Commitment                              Club Responsibility                                      possible after the injury occurring              provide private medical insurance cover for both
LFE is fully committed to a policy of Equality         There is a significant amount of legislation to       •T
                                                                                                               he amount of benefit received by the             full professionals and apprentices.
of Opportunity. We aim to ensure that staff at         address discrimination, which clubs should be          apprentice is dependant upon individual            In addition all current and former members
all levels work in an environment free from any        aware of, designed to ensure that each individual      circumstances                                      have access to the PFA’s Accident and Insurance
discrimination on the grounds of age, disability,      is treated equally and fairly.                                                                            Fund whereby grants may be made to help
gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex,                                                          •D
                                                                                                               uring the period of incapacity, the apprentice
                                                       All clubs should have policies and procedures          will need to provide sick notes to confirm his     cover medical expenses. The PFA also provides
sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership     in respect of Equality and Diversity. LFE                                                                 Accident & Sickness Insurance of up to £25,000
and pregnancy and maternity.                                                                                  continued eligibility to claim benefits
                                                       reserve the right to ask clubs for their equality                                                         for current members whose careers are cut
At the same time we also work hard to ensure           documentation at any time.                            Further guidance on this issue can be found at
                                                                                                                                                                 short due to a specific accident or illness.
that every apprentice is treated fairly and is                                                               www.gov.uk by searching for employment and
                                                       LFE expect all clubs to attend The EFL                support allowance.
encouraged to develop to his full potential            Safeguarding seminars and courses to support
in all aspects of his training. LFE will seek to       the equality agenda.
ensure that apprentices do not suffer any form
                                                       It is the responsibility of everyone involved
of discrimination and that they are supported
                                                       in the apprenticeship, including club staff and
to understand their rights and responsibilities
                                                       apprentices, to ensure that our policies are
during the two-year programme.
                                                       implemented and supported. We ask that all
LFE will discuss equality awareness with               clubs develop an environment where equality,
apprentices during progress reviews to monitor         fairness, security and respect are an integral part
their understanding and experience during              of apprentice programme.
training. Clubs and apprentices will be able to
access a wide range of support provided by             Useful Websites
LFE, starting with induction, right through to         ACAS
extensive exit and progression activities.             Equality and Human Rights Commission
During the year LFE will provide clubs,                Kick It Out
apprentices and Education Providers with the
                                                       Ofsted
opportunity to comment on how we manage
the education programme and to suggest any             The FA
changes that might be beneficial.
LFE will continue to work in partnership
with The EFL and Premier League on anti-
discrimination and inclusiveness awareness.
In addition, LFE continues to work with Kick It
Out to deliver diversity training at football clubs.
This work will continue in the 2020-21 season.

30 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                                          lfe.org.uk 31
Personal Development,
Life Skills and Transition
League Football Education
wants more for apprentices
than successful achievement of
                                                     WHY?                                                        HOW?                                                 WHAT?
the Apprenticeship programme
- we support the development
of well-rounded people.
Those who embrace
                                                                                  Accountability                    Ambition                          Appreciation
personal development as

                                                                                                                                                                      YOU DECIDE...
well as alternative interests,
employment, education or
                                                                                                     Caring                        Competitiveness
training, equip themselves to
excel as footballers and for life
off-the-field.
                                                                                   Confidence                       Courage                            Creativity
Personal Development
                                                     SUPPORTS
                                                  RMAN
LFE’s Personal Development
Model provides a framework
for planning and delivering this
                                               RFO    CE
                                                                                                    Curiosity                      Determination

wider development.
                                             PE                                     Discipline                      Empathy                          Encouragement

                                                                                                   Enthusiasm                          Focus
                                    W ELL

                                                                              N
                                                                                  Hard Working                      Honesty                             Humility

                                                                      ITIO
                                                                  N SPO R T S
                                       SUP

                                                                                                                                    Interpersonal
                                                                                                    Initiative
                                                                                                                                        Skills
                                        PO
                                     -B

                                                                 UP
                                            RT

                                             S                    S
                                                                                   Leadership                        Loyalty                           Motivation

                                            IN                      A
                                       E

                                                 G              T R                                 Patience                          Positivity

                                                                                    Resilience                      Respect                          Self-awareness

                                                                                                                                       Social
                                                                                                   Self-esteem
                                                                                                                                     Awareness

                                                                                      Trust                      Trustworthiness                     Unselfishness

32 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                 lfe.org.uk 33
Personal Development & Life Skills                                                                   Transition

League Football Education provides information,   Life Skills                                        League Football Education defines ‘Transition’
advice and guidance for personal development.     League Football Education is committed to          as the ability to deal with and move through life
Through face-to-face delivery and resources,      providing life skills-based education to support   challenges, including career pathways in and out
apprentices receive opportunities to support      apprentice success in and out of professional      of football.
their performance, well-being and transition.     football.                                          LFE will support your journey by providing:
Personal Development Model                        LFE’s Life Skills Programme aims to raise          Transition Officer
LFE’s Personal Development Model provides         awareness and empower apprentices with
                                                                                                     A dedicated, qualified person providing
a framework for club staff and apprentices        knowledge and skills to deal with the demands
                                                                                                     transition information, advice and guidance.
to understand the supportive outcomes and         of football and life.
process for wider development.                    Here are some examples of the life skills-based    Transition Tracking and Monitoring Programme
Personal Development Programme                    education provided through face-to-face            A proactive programme contacting all
                                                  delivery, online modules and resources:            apprentices on completion of the Apprenticeship
PROVIDE                                                                                              programme and for three years afterwards. It
                                                  • Equality & Diversity
Resources and guidance for club delivery,                                                            will gather information on what support you
including a personal development module to        • Finance
                                                                                                     need and at the same time offer information,
create an individualised plan                     • Identity                                         advice and guidance.
PREPARE                                           • Inspirational
                                                                                                     Career Opportunities
Personal development awareness workshop           • Mental Health
                                                                                                     Leading employers, educators and training
delivered by a PDM in one session                 • Ramadan Awareness                                providers recognise the talent and abilities that
PLAN                                              • Sexual Health                                    apprentices can offer their organisations.
Personal development mentoring programme          • Social Media                                     LFE will advertise education, employment and
delivered by a PDM across eight sessions          • Well-Being                                       training opportunities for current and former
                                                                                                     apprentices.
 Personal Development Mentors (PDM)                                                                  This will be supported by targeted e-flyers to
                                                                                                     current/former apprentices and their parents.
                                                                                                     START
                                                                                                     A dedicated online career guidance tool for you to
                                                                                                     access whenever you want. More information on
                                                                                                     how to utilise the resource is available here.

      Dru Spinks           Mark Roberts

34 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                lfe.org.uk 35
Transition

Football Opportunities                          ERASMUS+ Programme                                  Higher Education/USA Scholarships
Traditionally, LFE (in conjunction with The     LFE has secured funding to support club pre-        Many apprentices are interested in entering      Did you know
EFL and The PFA) has run Assessment Trials      season trips to Italy, Spain and the Netherlands,   Higher Education once they complete their
                                                                                                                                                     Signing with a football agent
for players released at the end of their        as well as providing released players with          Apprenticeship programme.
apprenticeship and is committed to supporting   personal development and footballing                This has to be carefully planned for UCAS
                                                                                                                                                     may lead to a player becoming
players with football opportunities post-       opportunities via a three-month placement           application deadlines. To help you with this,    INELIGIBLE to represent a USA
apprenticeship.                                 programme with European Partner Clubs.              LFE has produced a ‘Guide to Higher Education    University soccer team.
                                                Over 200 former apprentices have gone on            Applications’ which can be downloaded via our
                                                placement and over 80 players have earned           website.
                                                professional contracts in Sweden and Spain          LFE has also established a partnership with
                                                as a result.                                        PASS4Soccer - a consultancy that specialise in
                                                                                                    securing scholarships to USA universities.
                                                                                                    For more information, please see the
                                                                                                    HE & USA Scholarship Guides:
                                                                                                    Club and Apprentice Downloads

36 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                                                                                                  lfe.org.uk 37
Celebrating Success

LFE celebrates the academic, football and wider       LFE Apprentice of the Year
achievements of apprentices throughout the            Sponsored by LFE, an Apprentice of the Year
two-year programme and beyond.                        Award is allocated to an apprentice player in
The 11, which is aligned to apprentice reviews,       each division at the annual English Football
celebrates the holistic development of young          League Awards dinner.
players, with 33 apprentices being recognised         This award celebrates the on and off the pitch
each year for their outstanding efforts on and        achievements of apprentice players and is
off the pitch. Many winners then go on to be          decided by a panel of expert judges.
shortlisted in their respective divisions at the
                                                      Previous winners include Lewis Cook (Leeds
EFL Awards for the LFE Apprentice of the Year.
                                                      United now AFC Bournemouth), Ademola
The 11                                                Lookman (Charlton Athletic now RB Leipzig), Ben
The 11 is judged on academic and football             Godfrey (York City now Norwich City) and Ryan
progress, as well as other off the pitch factors,     Sessegnon (Fulham now Tottenham Hotspur).
e.g. engaging in the football club’s community        Goal of the Month
initiatives. This competition runs three times each
                                                      LFE’s Goal of the Month competition highlights
season, with the likes of Dominic Calvert-Lewin
                                                      the very best goals scored by apprentice players
(Sheffield United now Everton), Oli McBurnie
                                                      up and down the land. With each month’s winner
(Bradford City now Sheffield United), Matty
                                                      decided by a public vote, it regularly attracts
Longstaff (Newcastle United) and Ben Wilmot
                                                      thousands of online viewers. Check it out at here.
(Stevenage now Watford) all previously appearing
in this select group.

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Additional Information

Child Benefit                                       Intermediaries/Agents
LFE has been informed by Her Majesty’s              LFE advise holding discussions with The PFA
Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that following a         before deciding on whether to sign with an
review, parents/guardians of apprentices on the     agent. The PFA will be able to offer advice on
Apprenticeship programme are not entitled to        the benefits or downsides of signing with an
receive Child Benefit.                              agent and the costs involved.
This is because HMRC deem the Scholarship           The function of an agent is to:
Agreement to be a Contract of Employment            • Represent the client’s best interests
and therefore consider apprentices to be in
                                                    • Assist in negotiations with clubs
employment (as opposed to the ‘non-employed’
status they were previously considered as), this    • Provide professional support and assistance
makes apprentices ineligible for Child Benefit.        with career and career development
                                                    • Arrange commercial deals
Pro Contract
                                                    • Look after press/media issues if appropriate
On or before the third Saturday in May in the
final year of his Scholarship/Apprenticeship        Apprentices are not obliged to sign with an
Agreement the club will be required to give         agent and could represent themselves, consult
written notice to the scholar indicating whether    with a solicitor or work with a close family
or not upon expiry of his agreement it intends      member (unpaid) when dealing with any of the
offering the scholar a professional contract and    issues above.
if so setting out the terms thereof. Apprentices    In addition, as a member of the PFA, apprentices
should not expect to be told before April in year   will be entitled to free advice from the PFA who
two of the programme, if they will be made the      are able to provide hands-on representation in
offer of a professional contract.                   contract negotiations, give access to financial
                                                    advice and offer a number of other free services
                                                    that could be of benefit.
                                                    Quality Assurance
                                                    LFE’s quality manager oversees rigorous policies
                                                    and procedures on all aspects of the programme.
                                                    An annual Self-Assessment Report which includes
                                                    feedback from all stakeholders, is produced
                                                    against criteria of the Education Inspection
                                                    Framework (Ofsted in England).
                                                    LFE’s extensive observation strategy includes
                                                    qualified Ofsted inspectors observing external
                                                    staff such as NVQ assessors, education provider
                                                    tutors, Functional Skills tutors and club staff.
                                                    LFE Regional Officers are also regularly
                                                    observed performing key duties.
                                                    LFE continuously strives to improve the
                                                    programme by listening to and acting upon
                                                    feedback from apprentices, club staff and
                                                    education provider personnel.

40 Welcome to the Apprenticeship Programme                                                             lfe.org.uk 41
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