This programme is the only one in the UK and delivered in 20 weeks. The students worked match days at Southampton, Portsmouth and Eastleigh Football Clubs. Whilst on their Apprenticeship, they learnt valuable skills such as drug and alcohol awareness, door security, stop and search and physical intervention. Students were given insights into the complex CCTV network in Southampton and have all been given the opportunity to work at Southampton Football Clubs permanently.
These skills have enabled them to gain an interview to work at the 2012 Olympics through the Bridging the Gap programme, which aims to train young people in the security industry to support the venue’s security requirements.
Chairman, Nicola Cortese and team manager Nigel Adkins were present and Nigel gave out the awards.
Nigel Adkins said: ‘Seeing how the apprentices started out is amazing. Being given the opportunity to work at the Olympics when most of us can’t get tickets is fantastic for them. As a parent of an apprentice I know how proud the parents of these apprentices here today must be feeling’.
Brendan McGlinchey, Head of Operations for Southampton Football Club added ‘These apprentices are now qualified to work at any venue in the UK. They have been working in a unique and iconic venue and have left the programme as very employable young adults’.
He commented on the success of the programme being down to a number of factors including the club’s strong relationship with Fareham College.
Ryan Anderson, 18, from Locks Heath, said: ‘It was a good experience to do something new. As a result, I’ve managed to secure three jobs – working at Southampton and Portsmouth Football Clubs and for Vespasian - a local security company.’
