The funding from the SFP Community Initiative award will allow Warriors in the Community (a subsidiary of Stenhousemuir FC CIC) to pilot a brand new area of work in the employability field in order to expand their reach within the local community in partnership with the Employment and Training Unit at Falkirk Council.

The project will demonstrate the capacity of the football club to have a positive impact in contributing to the reduction of unemployment levels locally and will involve the club progressing through the SQA approval process.  The pilot project “Take the Lead” aims to assist with removing barriers to employment and encouraging participants to take responsibility for their own future.  It will combine delivery of components of the Falkirk Employability Award with physical activity over 12 weeks with three days per week (18 hours) spent on the course. 

The intention is for practical football sessions to complement classroom based theoretical work and the structure of the course allows additional time to be allocated to activities such as employer visits and additional training opportunities.  Those with an interest in gaining experience coaching football will also be provided opportunities to shadow coaches within the vast Warriors in the Community recreational football programme. There will be 9 spaces on each of the three courses, all of which will be delivered at Ochilview Park and it is hoped that the legacy of the project will see the club contributing significantly to employability and education for the foreseeable future. 

Jamie Kirk, Community Development Director said “Our Take the Lead employability project will involve 27 unemployed participants and will see them not only undertake an approved qualification, but will allow them to take part in daily physical activity whilst learning about the benefits of a healthier lifestyle and will help them take steps to securing future employment as well as building their confidence and communication skills.  Our aim as a club, through Warriors in the Community, is to have a positive impact on every household in Stenhousemuir and the surrounding areas and being able to contribute to the landscape of the local labour market will enhance our ability to achieve this aim”.