New clubs join Mitre Group’s ground-breaking academy programme
As the new academic year kicks off, Mitre Group is expanding the reach of its Sports Apprenticeship Academies and celebrating new partnerships with clubs including Burton Albion Community Trust and Millwall Community Trust. They join the likes of Middlesex Cricket Club, Derby County Community Trust, QPR Trust and AFC Bournemouth in nominating young apprentices to enrol in the innovative academies.
Following the hugely successful launch of the academies, which bring together apprentices at dedicated training hubs, Mitre Group continues to grow the breadth of training on offer to it academy students. Notably, this year, mental health awareness training will be introduced as understanding grows around the importance of mental health support in sport. This is a real area of focus for Mitre Group, which is committed to ensuring the staff and apprentices it trains are equipped with knowledge around issues of mental health so they can better support themselves, their colleagues and community participants.
Gavin Forbes, School Sport Coordinator, QPR Trust: “Having the chance to enrol in the Sports Apprenticeship Academy is such a fantastic opportunity for young people in our local community. In addition to recognised qualifications, they get so much out of the training and the chance to work closely with other apprentices from around the UK and across a range of sports is especially valuable. We really see our apprentices growing in confidence and ability over the course of the programme.”
As in previous years, every student at the Sports Apprenticeship Academies is invited to kick off their apprenticeship with a unique ‘outdoor adventure’ event at Mount Cook Adventure Centre – one of the UK’s leading outdoor centres. This exciting week enables the apprentices to come together and work on a wide-range of problem-solving tasks that build friendships and a team spirit. Each academy programme includes guest speakers from across the sports industry and apprentices also complete their National Governing Body (NGB) qualification to enable them to start assisting coaching sessions in their given sport.
“We can’t wait to kick off the new year at the Sports Apprenticeship Academies,” comments Amy Neill, tutor, Mitre Group; “we have lots of exciting plans afoot starting with the outdoor adventure event which really helps apprentices to bond. Our aim is to provide a supportive environment for collaborative learning throughout the programme, in and outside the classroom – for instance all students have access to our Digital Learning Portal that lets everyone access course content via smartphones and tablet whenever they want. Our team of experienced tutors is also always on hand to offer support and guidance.”
Mitre’s Sports Apprenticeship Academies specialise in Coach Education, Supporting PE and School Sport and Teaching – ideal for community coaches, community activators, multi-sport coaches and coaches and teachers supporting PE & school sport. Academy programmes are recognised by the the Association for Physical Education (afPE) and awarding organisations 1st4Sport and Active IQ. Mitre is also a recognised skills partner for the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
The academies build on the success of Mitre’s apprenticeship programmes and cement its position as the leading provider in the sports and stadia sector. Mitre’s pioneering programmes are tailored to the unique needs of the sector and are delivered by the country’s top trainers, supported by a bespoke online learning portal. Mitre is a Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency approved supplier on the Register of Training Organisations (ROTO) and Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers (ROATP).