Mark Lovell Prior to starting on the Traineeship programme, Jacob Fahy had been out of education and employment for over 2.5 years. Jacob is very open and honest in describing his journey from this starting point, highlighting that “my confidence was at a real low and I found going out an experience that made me really anxious, so meeting the tutor for the first meeting was a real challenge”. After scheduling a meeting in the relaxed surroundings of a local coffee shop with a referral partner that Jacob was working with (and after much discussion about Jacob’s favourite football team Liverpool’s title chances), Jacob had decided he would like to step out of his comfort zone and join the programme.
The first day of the course coincided with Jacob’s birthday, and involved visiting Plymouth Ski Slope for an informal opportunity to get to know the rest of the group. Activities included snow tubing, tobogganing and the viper drop, which Jacob says really helped him in settling onto the course; “the first day was really enjoyable and something I would not usually have the opportunity to do. It was great to get to know the rest of the group, who were all really nice and welcoming”. Throughout the course, Jacob opted to complete his work experience in coaching children, which is something he thoroughly enjoyed and excelled at.
Prior to the course Jacob highlights that “I was not sure what I wanted to do and lacked any real career focus or motivation. Working with children through my work placement though was amazing and helped me to realise what I was passionate about!”
Jacob successfully completed the course and then sought to progress onto an apprenticeship, applying for a vacancy at Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust. Jacob’s charisma and new found confidence were pivotal in him securing the role, to Jacob’s delight!
Jacob is now undertaking the Level 2 Community Activator Coach apprenticeship standard. The apprenticeship looks to support those aspiring to follow a career in the sport or education sectors, through working with children across both school and community sports contexts.
Part of Jacobs’s role has afforded him the opportunity to become involved in supporting key worker and vulnerable children at St. Catherine’s Primary School in Launceston, Cornwall, during the current national lock down restrictions. Jacob describes this experience as being “absolutely incredible, allowing me to build some amazing relationships with pupils and staff, whilst also being able to support them in getting active and staying healthy”.
Jacob describes the Traineeship course as “a game changer for me – it helped me work out what I wanted to do and rebuild my life. The course was an amazing experience and I am so grateful for the opportunity and want to the thank the Trust and staff involved”.
Plymouth Argyle Football in the Community Trust are extremely proud of Jacob’s progress and very much look forward to supporting his professional development through this exciting apprenticeship pathway.
