Next generation of workforce given a sporting chance

“We have amazing facilities, especially at our Moreton Morrell and at our Pershore campuses, where we are going to be offering sports academies from the new academic years. So, you can come and study any of our courses, say construction, agriculture, health & social care, art & design but then also have an opportunity to participate in one of our sports academies.

“This coming September we will be offering basketball, football, rugby and tennis. So, in addition to your full-time course, we'll also be supporting those individuals who love those sports or who are interested in progressing professionally with the view that if they don't quite make it, they will have achieved a qualification in another area.

“At the moment, we are certainly looking at those individuals who are either playing for their local representative side, or at a county level, without discounting anybody. For some individuals, they might have a passion for football – for example – but they've never actually had trials so may have a hidden talent.

“Sport can also be that fundamental tool in developing those softer skills that employers say are missing.