How a Football Tournament is Launching Careers for Young People in the UK

Wigan Athletic Community Trust Launches Premier League Kicks Careers Cup

Wigan Athletic Community Trust recently hosted the first annual Premier League Kicks Careers Cup, a groundbreaking event that combines employability workshops with a football tournament. This initiative is designed to provide young people with valuable insights into various industries, with a focus on a different sector each year.

Integrating Football and Career Development

The event aims to integrate employability skills with the excitement of football, offering participants a unique opportunity to learn about potential career paths while engaging in sports. This year, the focus was on careers in the Armed Forces, tying in with the significance of Remembrance Day.

Highlights from the Event

• Workshops on Army Careers: Bolton ACC hosted sessions that detailed jobs in the army, including hands-on activities like trying on military uniforms.
• Inspiring Presentations: Armed Forces Coordinator Nikki McGee delivered a powerful talk about her service in Iraq and the importance of remembrance.
• Athlete Insights: Latics Women’s player Faye Moseley shared her experience balancing a football career with her role in the army reserves.

Voices from the Organizers

Youth Engagement Coordinator Tom Watkins emphasized the event's goals: "It’s all around giving these young people some more employability skills so that when they leave today, they take a snippet of information. We want it to grow and reach out to other industries for recruitment fairs that might inspire them after school."

Emphasizing Remembrance and Service

The Royal British Legion supported the workshops with resources like poppy crosses and wristbands to highlight the importance of Remembrance Day. Nikki McGee added, "It’s crucial for young people to understand that remembrance isn’t just about past wars but also about current servicemen and women who protect our freedom."

Future Prospects

This initiative is set to expand, aiming to connect young people with diverse industries and provide them with the tools to explore career opportunities beyond traditional paths.