The first ever PFA Scotland ‘My Future Now’ Employability events were a massive success.
Players from across the country attended the three events – in Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh – for 2nd year apprentices who are nearing the end of their first professional contract.
The sessions were designed to help them build employability skills such as putting together a CV and practising interview techniques to help them find a job.
Many young players across the country will find themselves out of contract in the summer, looking for a new club.
For some that will perhaps mean finding a job to run alongside playing part-time football.
However, the Event was also aimed at the players who are lucky enough to be kept on by clubs and continue within full time football.
We all know players will need a second career and these boys have the perfect opportunity to use the skills they learned at the event to start preparing for that now.
There are hundreds of players across the country who don’t have a CV, as it’s not something they need to move from club-to-club, but they’ll need one when they enter the outside world of employment.
My aim for Employability Event, and events like this moving forward, is to help young players across Scottish football who starting out in the game prepare best for the ups and downs they will face throughout their playing career.
This event also gave them an insight into what other players have done to prepare for life once they hang up their boots.
Our guest speakers John Rankin (Clyde and Hearts u18s coach), David McCracken & Lee Miller (Falkirk co-managers) and David Gold (owner of the highly successful Gold & Gray Soccer Academy as well as playing part time with Arbroath) spoke about the ups and downs they have faced in their careers, on and off the field, and told the players what characteristics they feel are required to have a successful career.
The players really enjoyed listening to the guest speakers share their experiences and how they’ve planned for life beyond playing.
Feedback from the events from the players was really positive and hopefully they’ll put their new skills to good use.
We’ll keep you posted with details of future Employability Events.
