Following the success of the first year of the Young Apprenticeship programme in sports management, leadership and coaching, SkillsActive is delighted to announce that the programme will now be rolled out across a number of regions in England.   

Young Apprenticeships (YAs) were launched in 2004 across a number of sectors, and are funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for 14-16 year-olds. The programme aims to address the issue surrounding school leavers entering the 'working world' under-qualified and under-skilled.

Last week, the Department for Education and Skills approved further partnerships - funded through the LSC - to be set up across England, between schools, specialist sports colleges and local employers, allowing up to 320 students to take part in the YA for the sport and active leisure sector in sports management, leadership and coaching.

SkillsActive's YA development officer, Katie Couchman said; "The further partnership announcement is excellent news for the sector, YAs are now an England-wide initiative, which provides us with the opportunity to develop the specific skills employers in the sector are asking for, at a young age on a much larger scale.

"By working directly with employers in further developing the YA programme, the employers have had the opportunity to influence the education that young people are receiving, as well as train potential future employees at an early age."

The YA programme works alongside the national curriculum and offers students vocational training whilst they continue with their core curriculum studies.

Secretary of state for culture, media and sport, Tessa Jowell said; "Young people up and down the country are now taking advantage of Young Apprenticeships, which affords them valuable experience in the workplace. It's a win-win situation - employers benefit from better skills coming on stream and young people benefit from increased opportunity to gain meaningful employment. In the years leading up to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Young Apprenticeships in sports management, leadership and coaching will help ensure that there are enough coaches, officials, trainers and stewards - and that we can deliver a lasting legacy in 2012 and beyond."

Commenting on the extended programme announcement, SkillsActive's chief executive, Stephen Studd said; "I am delighted with the announcement that the Young Apprenticeship programme will be rolled out across additional regions in England. I am constantly speaking with employers who are concerned about the caliber of skilled and qualified job seekers. With the Young Apprenticeship programme, we can start to address some of their concerns and ensure the sport and active leisure sector has a workforce equipped to deal with employers and ultimately, the public's needs.

"With this in mind, I would urge national employers from across the country to step forward and sign up to theprogramme. We need sector employers to get involved with the Young Apprenticeship partnerships, and help shape the skills of the future workforce.

"I personally believe the programme overall to be an excellent opportunity for young people to experience the workplace, which can help them to make informed decisions about their futures; we have a student on a business administration Young Apprenticeship working here, at SkillsActive, every Friday."