12:00pm Sunday 15th June 2008
By Phil Hill
SOMERSET area bosses are being encouraged to get involved in a new learning programme aimed at producing top sports coaches and managers.
The Young Apprenticeship programme - run by the Learning and Skills Council - targets talented teenagers aged 14 to 16 who want to achieve vocational qualifications alongside academic schooling.
Twenty-five students from The Castle, St Augustine of Canterbury and Ladymead Schools, in Taunton, will begin a two-year Young Apprenticeship in sport management, leadership and coaching in September.
They will spend a day a week working towards Level 2 qualifications.
They will also spend 50 days over the course of the programme working with local employers, such as leisure centres, fitness companies or local sports clubs.
Details of the scheme are being explained at an event at Oake manor Golf Club at 6pm on Tuesday, June 23.
Paul Collins, assistant headteacher at The Castle, said: "The success of this programme depends largely on the support we get from local employers, so we're hoping a lot of them will come along to hear more about what the Young Apprenticeship can offer."
Trish Taylor, LSC area director, said: "Young apprentices learn the practical skills required by employers while studying for qualifications which specifically relate to that particular industry."
Employers interested in attending Tuesday's event should contact Paul Collins on 01823-274073 or 07793-982550 or e-mail at pcollins@educ.somerset.gov.uk
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