by Ian Austen

ian.austen@essnmedia.co.uk

Croydon College is entering the big league in its ongoing drive to help young people into employment.

Working in partnership with football clubs Spurs, Arsenal, West Ham, Fulham, Charlton Athletic and Brentford, the college has won a £400,000 contract from the Department of Work and Pensions to create 60 jobs for 18 to 24 year olds.

The youngsters will be employed for six months with the clubs' community trusts, and will work towards gaining qualifications as football coaches.

The young people will be provided with mentors from coaching staff, while the college will provide courses in literacy, numeracy and equipping them for employment.

Claire Parry, managing director of Croydon Skills and Enterprise College, which is part of Croydon College, said: "The contract is a real coup for us and shows we're dedicated to working innovatively in partnership with other organisations to support the development of both individuals and businesses in an unpredictable economic climate.

"It is great for Croydon that we have been chosen to take the lead and manage the programme."

The youngsters joining the scheme have been drawn by the college from unemployment hotspots across London, identified with the football clubs involved.

Half the youths starting out on the programme will be offered permanent jobs at the end of it.

Those chosen will then be offered an apprenticeship programme by the college.

The scheme is part of the Government's Future Jobs Fund which provides cash to projects creating jobs for young people.

Ms Parry is hopeful that if it is successful it could be extended to bring in other London clubs in the future.

Grant Cornwell, chief executive of the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation, which is leading the clubs in the partnership, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for football clubs to work together addressing and impacting positively on employment in their local communities.