LFE welcomes you to the two-year Apprenticeship Programme.

LFE Regional Officers provide ongoing support to apprentices. They conduct one-to-one progress reviews at regular intervals throughout the Apprenticeship programme and offer advice and guidance on a range of areas.

The PFA also support apprentices with contractual assistance, accident insurance, player management and representation and post-18 education grants, as well as providing an online Safety Net.

An Initial Assessment is carried out with every player that starts the Apprenticeship programme to establish academic ability.

This is undertaken with parents/guardians, club staff, college staff and regional officers.

Apprentices will be expected to provide their GCSE results to their regional officer.

All apprentices will undertake an online bksb assessment as part of the Initial Assessment process.

An Induction will take place at the start of the Apprenticeship programme. LFE provides each club with a set of standard induction units that includes the following topics:

  • Safeguarding
  • Apprenticeship Programme
  • Employments Rights & Responsibilities
  • Rules & Regulations
  • Health & Safety
  • Equality & Diversity
  • Drugs Awareness
  • Well-being

Apprentices will follow their club’s specific coaching programme and philosophy over the next two years.

Training is likely to include work on technical and tactical skills, physical conditioning and psychology.

Apprentices will be evaluated on technical ability, teamwork, character and physical condition.

The educational programme has been specifically designed for elite athletes and is geared towards nationally recognised qualifications. The educational programme will consist of the following elements:

  • Sporting Excellence Professional (Level 3)
  • BTEC Sporting Excellence and Performance (Level 3)*
  • Functional Skills (Level 2)
  • Certificate in Coaching (UEFA C)

If an Apprentice wishes to undertake A-Level qualifications, they will need their respective LFE Regional Officer and club Head of Education to complete an approval form. LFE sets a minimum entry criteria.

*There are three BTEC qualification sizes:

  • BTEC National Extended Certificate | 360 Guided Learning Hours (equivalent to 1 A-Level)
  • BTEC National Diploma | 720 Guided Learning Hours (equivalent to 2 A-Levels)
  • BTEC National Extended Diploma | 1080 Guided Learning Hours (equivalent to 3 A-Levels)

League Football Education provides information, advice and guidance for personal development. Through face-to-face delivery and resources, apprentices receive opportunities to support their performance, well-being and transition.

Personal Development Model

LFE’s Personal Development Model provides a framework for club staff and apprentices to understand the supportive outcomes and process for wider development.

Personal Development Programme

  • Provide | Resources and guidance for club delivery, including a personal development module to create an individualised plan
  • Plan | Personal development mentoring programme delivered by a PDM across eight sessions

Life Skills

LFE’s Life Skills programme aims to raise awareness and empower apprentices with knowledge and skills to deal with the demands of football and life.

Here are some examples of the life skills-based education provided through face-to-face delivery, online modules and resources:

  • Equality & Diversity
  • Finance
  • Identity
  • Inspirational
  • Mental Health
  • Ramadan Awareness
  • Sexual Health
  • Social Media
  • Well-being

Apprentice reviews are conducted with LFE Regional Officers and are recorded on an e-learning platform. This process is to ensure that all apprentices can fulfil their true potential.

Reviews take place at regular intervals throughout the apprenticeship. It is essential that apprentices are available for reviews.

LFE celebrates the academic, football and wider achievements of apprentices throughout the two-year programme. Nominations for ‘The 11’ and ‘LFE Apprentice of the Year’ are largely based on information gathered from the review process.

Towards the end of the Sporting Excellence Professional Apprenticeship Standard, apprentices will be required to complete an End Point Assessment.

This consists of three distinct assessment methods:

  • A knowledge test with multiple-choice questions and scenario-based questions.
  • A practical observation with questions and answers.
  • A professional interview, supported by a portfolio of evidence.

In the second half of year two of the apprenticeship, clubs will reach a decision on which apprentices they wish to offer professional contracts to.

Whatever the decision, it is crucial that apprentices continue with both their football and education to give them the best possible chance to succeed at the end of their apprenticeship.

League Football Education defines ‘Transition’ as the ability to deal with and move through life challenges, including career pathways in and out of football.

LFE will support your journey by providing: