Burnley College works with Burnley FC in the Community to boost employability skills

Expert Tutors from Burnley College Sixth Form Centre have been working with Burnley FC in the Community to launch Moor for your Future, a brand-new character development and employability programme which started this week at Turf Moor.

The programme will deliver support to young people aged 16 to 25 who have had their lives disrupted due to the impact of COVID-19.

Following a need identified by Burnley Together, a community hub made up of the College, Burnley Council and local partners, charities and services, the programme has been designed o help nurture young people’s confidence and self-esteem to tackle the ‘new normal’. Sessions will help young people to gain the necessary skills to help secure employment, improve their character and personal skills, boost confidence and will cover areas surrounding resilience, problem solving and digital literacy.

Funded by Barclays, the Premier League Charitable Fund, Professional Footballers’ Association, VEKA and Great Places and delivered in partnership with Burnley College, Burnley Together and Lancashire Adult Learning, the programme will delivered from UCFB, the educational hub at Turf Moor.

Centre for Cities reports that Burnley has 31% of its workforce furloughed, for three weeks or more, the second highest in England and significantly higher than other towns and cities in the top ten count. Meanwhile, in an earlier report they also identified that in the region of 70% of roles in Burnley would be affected, vulnerable or very vulnerable to Covid-19.

Burnley FC in the Community’s Chief Executive Officer, Sara Ward, said: “We are delighted to be launching our new Moor for your Future programme, here at Turf Moor.

“As a charity we have always been passionate about the area of employability, reducing youth unemployment and developing young people to help them reach their full potential. In the current climate as we continue to navigate our way through the coronavirus pandemic, supporting young people in this area and giving them the tools to succeed has become more important than ever.

“Bringing the project to life has been a real joint effort, with each of the funders, patrons and delivery partners united in our commitment to make it a success and implement real change to the lives of the young people who sign up.

“I want to thank Barclays, the Premier League Charitable Fund, the Professional Footballers’ Association, VEKA and Great Places for funding the programme and we look forward to working closely with our delivery partners Burnley College, Burnley Together and Lancashire Adult Learning.”

Simon Jordan. Deputy Principal at Burnley College, said:

“We’re proud to be a key partner in Moor for your Future, empowering young people to develop the skills, knowledge and attributes which will help them overcome any barriers in their way caused by Covid-19.

“As the Number 1 College in England*, our ethos is to Build Futures and Change Lives: we are delighted to share that vision – and our Tutors’ expertise – with the wider community to make a real difference.

“We are committed to ensuring that Covid-19 does not stand in the way of young people reaching their goals and making their dreams come true.”

Moor for your Future is open to 16 to 25-year olds and launched on Monday at Turf Moor.

To find out more information click here or to sign up contact Employability Manager, Alison Malcolm on [email protected] or 01282 704 716.

*In the latest official Government league tables for student achievement aged 16-18.