Throughout the country and across a wide range of industries, Apprenticeships are gaining both importance and popularity as the Government seeks to raise the credibility, relevance and status of this type of qualification.

Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, League Football Education is a partnership between the Football League and the PFA. LFE are currently responsible for the management of Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (ASE) programme across Football League clubs.

The ASE programme is specifically designed to support Apprentices in relation to their football development, however it is also there to provide them with transferable skills that will assist them within football, or as and when they move on to alternative careers. Now embraced by a number of other sports including Rugby Union, Swimming, Golf and Cricket the ASE programme has real value and importance for Government as a way of highlighting best practice within Apprenticeships.

By 2015 the Government is to change the education leaving age to 18 and they want a suitable apprenticeship place to be available for every young person by 2013. This will involve raising the number of Apprenticeships nationally from the current level of 180,000 to 400,000, something the ASE will play a strong part in.

The ASE scheme involves 16 to 18 year old footballers doing a football specific NVQ, a level 2 football coaching qualification, a college course related to sport and key skills in numeracy and literacy. This is all designed to compliment the technical development work being carried out by the football coaching staff to produce a skilled and educated youth group. The success of the scheme has already begun to prove positive. Last season 76% of Football League

Apprentices achieved the full framework of qualifications whilst the majority of those remaining obtained elements of the programme. ASE apprentices may go on to get professional contracts, play abroad, play semi-professional football, go to university/college or go directly in to alternative employment, but whatever route they take the Apprenticeship they have followed provides them with transferable skills for life.

For the Government to hit its targets it needs other Apprenticeships to be developed. Employers such as the National Trust,Royal Opera House and BT are alongside LFE helping change the image and relevance of Apprenticeships and bring them to the fore as a viable educational option. If you are interested as either an employer, parent of potential Apprentice then please see www.apprentices.org.uk or call 08000-150-400 for further information.