Aberdeen Football Club’s charitable foundation has teamed up with the Apprentice 100 campaign in its quest to help a young person achieve their goals in life.
Aberdeen FC Community Trust (AFCCT) has put six youngsters through apprenticeship programmes since last year, several of whom have gone on to net full-time jobs or extend their training.
The trust currently employs Tommy Davie as an apprentice as part of a scheme run by Community Jobs Scotland and hopes to sign up another trainee next year to support our campaign.
Mr Davie delivers community engagement programmes which are aimed at helping vulnerable elderly groups, people living with dementia, and supporting young people through football coaching sessions.
He said: “I love working with communities, and I love helping change lives for the better. I hope I can keep doing that as I get older, I really enjoy working with all kinds of people young and old.”
Former apprentice Heather Reid now works as a full-time HR administrator.
Ms Reid said: “I now have a job that I love thanks to the skills AFCCT helped me develop. I hope what I am doing now will help shape my future career. They gave me lots of support, encouragement, and opportunities when I was there. It was brilliant”
David Smith, senior community projects officer at AFCCT, said the apprentices have been instrumental in helping the trust expand its range of services.
Mr Smith said: “Over the past two years, having access to young apprentices has helped AFCCT recruit new coaches. We have also been able to add intergenerational activities to the work we do with over 65s and those living with dementia, and deliver key messages to young people who see the apprentices as positive role models.
“Every young person who has arrived has brought something different to the trust, with new ideas, their own experiences, and, by creating that freedom and supportive environment, it helps full-time staff learn from the young person, as well as helping the young person learn from the staff.”
The apprenticeship position will be advertised on the AFCCT website next year: www.afccommunitytrust.org