New partnership Scheme to boost employment

Our ongoing partnership with Hartlepool United continues with a new scheme of getting more people into work, helping to boost the football club’s match-day workforce. We are running a sector-based work academy in partnership with the Jobcentre to prepare people for positions at the Suit Direct Stadium.

After completing a four-day employability course the successful students aged 19-plus will be in line for match-day jobs in hospitality, on the turnstiles, and other opportunities at Hartlepool United. Already there has been a 100 percent success rate in moving a large cohort into employment and we will soon be advertising further opportunities to work at Hartlepool United.

Rose Stoker, Hartlepool United’s Head of Operations, said: “We recognise we have staffing issues across the board on matchdays, this being a national problem since the pandemic, and we are doing everything we can to improve the fan experience on matchdays, speed of service is a priority. The College has the resources and facilities to provide customer service courses to potential staff who benefit from completing these before their employment commences with the club. It is also great for the community, the College, and the club to work together to put people in employment across Hartlepool. It is an extremely important relationship and partnership.
I want this to be a continuous initiative between both parties as we look to build our staffing levels, invest in training the staff and reduce turnover. This is a really exciting time for the club, the college and the community with monthly meetings and constant discussions on how to develop the partnership further.”

Hartlepool United and Hartlepool College have operated for 287 years in the town and together are building on a long association by creating fresh opportunities with and without a football. The job opportunities are part of a strategic plan that has already seen a restructured football academy, creating chances for College players to impress the League Two club’s recruitment and management teams.

Just last week Hartlepool boss Keith Curle held his pre-match press conference here at the College when regional media were in attendance ahead of the FA Cup tie with Stoke City. Our Students also got to ask Keith questions.

Alison Hill, the Head of Adult Education here at the College, said: “Our relationship with the Jobcentre has enabled us to find the candidates and all candidates were in attendance. Their attitudes were exemplary and the football club was involved every step of the way. We feel as a College that the partnership is getting even stronger and we look forward to overseeing the next phase of employment at Hartlepool United. This is about two anchor organisations working to benefit the community in the town. There are local people who have an opportunity to earn money on the back of the courses we deliver.”