The Support Employment initiative is a unique and innovative way of helping individuals who are furthest from the labour market back into employment.

The main aim of the training programme is to assist the trainees in becoming job ready with the skills and ability necessary to secure suitable sustainable employment.

By using football coaching in a non-threatening environment, individuals can gain new skills and the confidence to seek and gain employment. Soft skills elements such as teamwork, communication and motivation are highly prevalent in sport and are directly transferable for use in the working environment. Our aim is to introduce a 'feel good' and 'can do' attitude to the programme.

Additional skills areas such as career guidance, interview techniques, CV preparation are covered by programme partners Job Centre Plus, Jewel & Esk Valley College and Careers Scotland. In addition, visits from employers within the Edinburgh area provide an overview of different working environments.

Seventy individuals have participated in this initiative since 2007 with approximately 70% of participants will finding work or participating in further training on completion of the course.

For further information on these courses contact Alan White at alan@homplc.co.uk or alternatively contact your local Job Centre Plus or Careers Scotland office.