SR Education boasts 95 per cent success rate - 16 Jan 2012

SR Education today distanced itself from a BBC Radio Five Live investigation that highlighted a sports-based apprenticeship scheme that failed to fulfil its commitment to help youngsters gain coaching qualifications.

The Notts-based company currently works with a range of employers across the country as part of its overall operation and managing director Dave Mantle confirmed: “Our sports-based programmes are in no way linked to those identified in the investigation.”

He added: “Sports-based apprentices with SR Education are typically on a two-year rolling programme which provides the opportunity to progress from Level 2 framework to Level 3 advanced apprenticeship NVQ Qualifications.

“All apprentices have contracts of employment and our employer engagement officers ensure all apprentices gain real work-based experience by coaching in schools and other local authority environments.

“We work hard to form and maintain strong links across the country with various national sports governing bodies, schools and local authorities to not only ensure that our apprentices gain valuable sports coaching experience but also take the crucial first step towards sustaining employment.”

Ilkeston FC, who play in the Evo-Stik First Division South and are owned by SR Education, are the company’s flagship project.

The football club currently have 26 second-year apprentices with a further 19 first-years due to progress to apprenticeships in February, and SR Education invested £100,000 during the summer to create and equip a modern block of classrooms at the New Manor Ground.

Added Mantle: “Our apprentices are paid in line with government apprenticeship guidelines and we are proud of our success rate which show that 95 per cent of the learners achieve the full range of qualifications.”

At Ilkeston FC, funding has been secured from Nottinghamshire FA for apprentices to deliver disability coaching to a number of special schools, and Nottinghamshire Police are funding apprentices to deliver structured football sessions to help combat underage drinking and violence.

SR also offers apprenticeships in Health and Social Care, Business administration, Spectator Safety and Event Management with a wide variety of employers across the country.