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Players are offered an apprenticeship during their Under 16 season, and this is the beginning of a two-year journey towards becoming a professional footballer.
During this period, all Apprentices will join the Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (ASE), which provides a co-ordinated and streamlined approach to the delivery of education on and off the pitch. This is worth a minimum of 2 A Levels and Luton Town have a 100% pass rate over the past 3 years.
During this process a typical week is as follows:
Monday
AM Warm-Down
AM College
PM College
Tuesday
AM Gym
AM Train (Technical)
PM Train (Tactical)
Wednesday
AM Position Specific
Thursday
Friday
AM Train (Tactical)
PM OFF
Saturday
AM Match
PM Watch 1st Team
Sunday
OFF
Scholars live at home if they are from Luton / Dunstable or live with one of our wonderful host families if they are from further afield.
Initial Assessments
Initial Assessments are carried out with each Apprentice on an individual basis to ascertain his academic, health and technical ability before the training programme commences. This involves a full medical and coronary screening.
Induction
The Induction Programme is carried out during the first week of the Apprenticeship, and covers the following areas:
ASE Educational Framework;
Employment Rights and Responsibilities;
Club Rules and Regulations;
Health & Safety;
Equality & Diversity;
Drugs Awareness
Apprentice Well-Being.
Technical Development NVQ
The Apprentice will need to complete the following eight mandatory units to successfully gain this NVQ:
ES1 - Plan, develop and apply your technical skills.
ES2 - Plan and develop your physical conditioning.
ES3 - Plan, develop and apply your tactical skills.
ES4 - Develop attitudes and mental skills necessary for excellent performance.
ES5 - Plan and manage your own lifestyle.
ES6 - Plan and manage your career.
ES7 - Communicate and work effectively with others.
ES8 - Maintain the health and safety of yourself and others
The Qualification offers the Apprentice, as an elite or potentially elite athlete, to get certificated recognition of the skills, knowledge and understanding that they are developing in their quest for excellence.
College Courses
There is some flexibility with regard to the technical certificates that will help form the ASE framework and is subject to anticipated/confirmed GCSE results.
BTEC First Diploma/National Award/Certificate/Diploma courses in Sport.
AS-Levels leading to A2-Level Qualifications
The BTEC qualifications should provide the Apprentice with underpinning knowledge towards the work completed on the Level 3 NVQ Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance and give a further insight into the requirements of being an elite athlete within the football industry.
The General Certificate of Education (GCE) A-Level qualification has traditionally been the next level up from GCSEs. The A-Level qualification consists of two parts, the AS and the A2. If the Apprentice wishes to undertake AS/A2 qualifications as their technical certificate they will need to have achieved either A or A* in the relevant subjects along with a solid profile in other subjects.
Both the BTEC and AS routes provide nationally recognised qualifications that will assist with employment prospects and higher education applications.
Coaching Certificate
As part of the ASE programme the Apprentice will also undertake the 1st4Sport Level 2 Certificate in Coaching Football (UEFA B Part 1). This is a compulsory element of the programme and the Apprentice will undertake units on:
Coaching Principles and Ethics
Coaching Sessions
Conducting Coaching Sessions
Reviewing Coaching Sessions
Decision Time
In the second half of year 2 of the ASE programme we reach a decision on which Apprentices they wish to offer professional contracts to. This is a critical time for all Apprentices and whatever the decision it is crucial that Apprentices continue with both their football and education to give them the best possible chance to succeed at the end of their Apprenticeship.
Exit and Progression
The ASE programme is designed to give Football League Apprentices the very best chance of building and maintaining a career as a professional football player. While approximately 40% of Football League Apprentices do gain a professional playing contract upon exit from the ASE programme, 60% are required to seek out other opportunities. Through the exit and progression support programme Apprentices receive the information and skills necessary for alternative and secondary careers.
Why Exit & Progression
We are committed to making sure Apprentices successfully progress in to one of the following areas:
1.Professional Football contract
2.Semi Professional football + education/employment/training
3.Higher Education course
4.Further Education course
5.Training course
6.Employment
7.Part Time Employment
The PFA
The PFA's Education department provides guidance and funding for the provision of educational and vocational courses in preparation for a second career. This is available for all current and ex-members of the PFA. The level of grants for the majority of courses is 50% up to a maximum of £1500 in any one year. All grants are discretionary and criteria and levels of funding can change from time to time.
Higher Education
Many Apprentices are interested in following higher education once they complete the ASE programme. This process is planned for well in advance of the end of the ASE programme due to the deadlines in the application process defined by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Assessment Trials
Maintaining our commitment to successful progression into professional or semi professional football, we encourage unsuccessful scholars to attend the Assessment Trials in association with The PFA. These trials are held in May and are open to all those who are completing the ASE programme in the following June, as well as those who are in their under 19 year and completing their first year as a professional player. To accommodate the national spread of Apprentices three are held, one in the North, one in the Midlands and one in the South.
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