We are thrilled that some of our young people secured a week-long work experience placement with QPR in the Community Trust. Watch this video for a glimpse of their time there.
We teamed up with QPR in the Community Trust, the community arm of QPR, to provide work experience for our young people during October half term. QPR in the Community Trust's mission is to work in partnership with communities, to develop an inclusive range of sporting, educational, cultural and social opportunities, improving the quality of life for individuals and neighbourhoods.
Creating opportunities
Three talented and ambitious young people (aged 14 - 16) who completed our WYZ For Work employability course secured placements with QPR. These placements were given following an application and interview process.
All three young people had a keen interest in football and sports, some already playing at semi-professional level. The placement started with an induction and tour of the amazing QPR grounds. Our young people then spent the rest of the week supporting various sporting activities, such as youth soccer schools and activities for younger people. The work experience provided a great introduction to Sports Coaching.
Our young people performed incredibly well during the placement, impressing the QPR team! They were incredibly proactive and enthusiastic, and eager to learn and to get involved in as many activities as possible. As a result, they were given all the fantastic opportunity to attend a live QPR match that week. They served as 'ball boys' (collecting and returning footballs that have gone out of play in order to keep live games going). One young person briefly appeared on the Sky Sports' highlights of the match!
Developing skills for success
Our young people completed an application and interview process with QPR, before securing their placements. They were able to apply skills learnt on our WYZ For Work employability course and thrived in the application and interview.
Feedback from QPR was also very positive. They were impressed with the level of confidence and preparation the young people demonstrated in their interviews.
During the placement, our young people met some members of the QPR in the Community Trust team. This helped them to develop their networking and communication skills and further boost their confidence.
Huge thanks to QPR in the Community Trust for the amazing opportunity.
More placements to come
We are offering more placements with our partners in 2022. Young people aged 13 - 18 can join our free employability course WYZ For Work to learn essential skills for career success. Young people are eligible to apply for work experience opportunities with our partners after completion. You can enrol today here.
If you are interested in teaming up with us to offer work experience, please email us at info@openpalm.org.uk