The Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching has provided 14-16 year olds in England with an opportunity to start their careers in the sport and active leisure industry at an earlier age than ever before. 2,000 young people have achieved coaching and leadership qualifications through the programme, in addition to 50 days work experience at employers across the industry. Over 2,000 more young apprentices in sport are on the programme at the moment.

Despite their pledge to create 20,000 new Young Apprentices (Conservative Manifesto 2010) the Government have delayed the decision on the future of the programme for five months, and are now in danger of killing the programme altogether. This delay is having a devastating effect on schools and colleges unable to recruit learners onto a programme they are deeply committed to delivering but don’t know if it will be funded from September 2011. SkillsActive on behalf of the schools and colleges, training providers, employers, and young people engaged in the Young Apprenticeship believe this situation is completely unacceptable.

Without a positive decision on the future of the Young Apprenticeship soon the programme will be lost. As will the huge contribution it makes to the lives of the young people on the programme, and to the future workforce of the sport and active leisure industry. If you support the Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching and want it to continue and grow please sign this petition and help us to SAVE THE SPORT YA!

Links