Learners from Sale Sharks Community Trust’s Advantage programme got an invaluable insight into the corporate world when they were invited to the Manchester office of the club’s principal partner, UKFast.
The young people, all aged between 16 and 18 and currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), spent the day under the guidance of UKFast’s Director of Training and Education, Aaron Saxton.
The group learned all about the unique working environment created by UKFast founder Lawrence Jones, where the employees are at the heart of organisation.
And they heard all about the range of apprenticeships available and the emphasis the firm places on supporting young talent and upskilling its own staff.
Carl Fairhurst, the Advantage Wythenshawe Programme Manager, said: “It was a real eye opener for our learners to see the unique workplace environment that UKFast has created.
“Giving our learners this type of experience will really help open up new opportunities for them. It’s one of the main reasons that the Advantage programme really benefits young people, and helps to give them a real advantage in looking for a job or apprenticeship.”
The visit was part of the employability element of the Advantage programme, which is supported by a number of the club’s partners, and provides 16-18-year-olds who were previously unemployed and not in education with a chance to gain qualifications and work experience placements.
The programme, which is supported by Altrincham-based corporate acquisitions experts CorpAcq, runs out the Woodhouse Park Lifestyle Centre, in Wythenshawe.
The visit was the first in a series of events organised through the partnership with UKFast, with the learners planning to return to the campus in Hulme, Manchester, in the next few weeks to begin work on their own website and to start to develop their own entrepreneurial skills.
Jason, one of the Wythenshawe learners, added, “I loved visiting UKFast today and was really surprised by their offices and the way that they look after their staff. I would love to try and get an apprenticeship somewhere like that, and can’t wait to go back for our next visit.”
Aaron Saxton, UKFast’s Director of Training and Education, said: “We’re very proud of our association with Sale Sharks and we were delighted to welcome the learners from Advantage to our campus for the day.
“The Advantage programme is making a huge difference in the lives of so many young people and as a business that prides itself on developing young talent, anything we can do to play a part in that is fantastic.
“Giving young people the opportunity to experience a working environment like this could be so valuable in shaping their future careers.”
For more details about the range of work carried out by the Sale Sharks Community Trust, visit www.Salesharks.com/community.
