DAFC Kickstart Project

Match reporting - St Columbas kids with DAFC.co.uk's  Douglas Scott

The "Kickstart Project" is a partnership involving Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, Fife Council and education authorities.The aim of the project is to combat employability skills using football as the vehicle to motivate and equip the young pupils attending the project with the appropriate skills to make them employable up on leaving school.The project target participants between the ages of 14-16 who are identified as at risk of falling into the NEET bracket.

The above partners involved in the project recognise the importance football can have and its capacity for developing and contributing to the interpersonal skills the young pupils attending.  Football is a team game that requires self-discipline, respect, co - operation and teamwork.  The course content ensures that all participants are given the opportunity to be successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors in line with the Scottish Executive, "A curriculum for Excellence 2004".  Our "Kickstart Project" runs for 8 weeks with a 6 hour day (9.00am - 3.00pm).

• Players
• Managers
• Healthy Living
• Public Relations and Match Reporting
• Coaching and Show Racism the Red Card
• First Aid
• Sales and Marketing
• Graduation

Manager's week. Jim Leishman with pupil Shaun Mitchell

It is hoped that by delivering the course this way that participants will see that there is a lot more that happens behind the scenes at DAFC and that there are various occupations within the club. Each week will give the young people a chance to experience different fields of work.It will also give the participants an opportunity to develop their transferable skill such as communication, teamwork, self confidence.  Our aims at the end of each programme are:

• To increase the chances of sustained employment for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups - in order to lift them permanently out of poverty and fulfil their potential in life.
• To provide a positive learning experience
• To improve the confidence and skills of the most disadvantaged children and young people - in order to provide them with the greatest chance of avoiding poverty when leaving school
• To increase the rate of improvement of the health status of people living in the most deprived communities - in order to improve their quality of life including employability prospects.

Research for organising events

At present we have targeted 2 local secondary schools, Dunfermline High School and ST. Columbas High School with a total of 32 pupils successfully completing the course with Woodmill High School coming aboard after Easter. If you would like your school to get involved please contact our Project Co-ordinator Kelly Armstrong on 01383 730730 for more information.

DAFC HEAD FOR SUCCESS PROGRAMME 

Group 2 - People from 16 - 19 who fall under the NEET bracket (Not in Education Employment or Training)

The initial course will be delivered over an intensive 6-week period on a Wednesday and Friday, from 10am until 4pm each day. Thus meaning that each participant will receive a minimum of 72 hours contact time over the course.

All participants will go through on Enhanced Disclosure Scotland check at the beginning of the course, to eliminate any potential problems with work placements at the end of the course.

Each course will target 16 people who have been referred to our project worker from Job Centre Plus and Careers Scotland alongside the other partners. Therefore, over the four terms the project will be delivered to around 64 people.

The following dates are proposed:

1. Starting Wednesday 7^th November - Friday 14^th December ' 08 (weeks)
2. Starting Wednesday 22^nd January - Friday 29^th 09 (6 weeks)
3. Starting Wednesday 4^th June - Friday 11^th July 09 (6 weeks).

Head for Success is a partnership between DAFC, the Scottish Executive, Careers Scotland and Fife Council Community Services.

Aiming to help the "Long Term Unemployed" the project will provide an opportunity to develop skills through a personal training programme using football to motivate attendees and help them become employable.

DAFC is delighted to assist with the project. Our partners involved recognise the importance football can have and potential to be used to develop interpersonal skills as well as the self-discipline, respect and teamwork that is part of the game itself.

Head for Success provides a unique opportunity to work and develop skills while learning more about the sport and how it can influence the lives of people, not only in developing skills but also their health and well being.

A spokesman for Careers Scotland said they were glad to be part of the initiative.

"Careers Scotland are delighted to be involved with Dunfermline Athletic Football Club, with their Head for Success, delivering the employability part of the programme."

"Working closely with DAFC, Careers Scotland staff have been delivering WorkNet, which is a structured employability programme, developing self awareness and looking at suitable career options and choices and local labour market opportunities. This has given staff the chance to link into the skills learned in football and sport, and match these with job opportunities within the local area.
Along with the employability part of the programme, staff have taken the group out to various venues including the local Jobs Fair, Employers, and the Opportunity Centre. Visitors from Training Providers, Drugs Awareness and Health Care, have been invited in to give talks to the group.

"It's a great opportunity for young people to gain career guidance and support along with having the opportunity to take part in football, sport, and gaining SFA and First Aid qualifications.
Careers Scotland contact with the group will continue after the programme has finished to support them into further education, training or employment."

The opportunity is also available for participants to progress their transferable skills with the opportunity of gaining a certificate in first aid during the course.

Upon completion of the SFA Certificates, the opportunity will be available to assist as a DAFC Community Coach with Community initiatives.

Participants are not only just based at the training grounds, but as part of the project they will also have the opportunity to attend various job fairs and receive career advise from trained professionals.

Previous graduates from the course have found it to be beneficial and as a result have been able to further themselves and their careers.

If you think you would benefit from the course, or would like to learn more details about the programme contact your nearest Careers Scotland centre or call 01383 730 730 and speak to Kelly for further details.