What is Coach Core?

Coach Core works with 16-24 year olds who are not in education or employment to deliver an inclusive and impactful sports coaching apprenticeship that develops the talents of young people and provides them with a range of vital skills for sport, work and life. Since 2016, Active Essex and Coach Core have worked with 19 different employers, and helped 75 young people start their careers, delivering an estimated 88,000 coaching sessions to over 1 million participants. Apprenticeships are a great way to support your organisation ambitions and growth. This will be Active Essex’s’ 6th Year being part of the programme, and across Essex, we want to work with organisations who are trusted in their community, working with young people or able to support a young person in giving them the best opportunity to having a career in sports and physical activity.

Sign up to our Essex Coach Core Employer Webinar here
Coach Core Apprentice Programmes

Coach Core offers two apprentice programmes, such as:

  • Level 2 Community Activator Coach Apprenticeship
  • Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer Apprenticeship

The apprentice will spend 1 day a week in education, with their dedicated learning coach, who is employed and paid for by the training provider. For employers, we offer support with monthly meetings and additional opportunities and training for both yourself as an employer, and for the apprentices, at a local and national level.

The apprentice will be in a contract for a minimum of 15 months (the apprentice has 18 months to complete their assessment).

As an organisation/employer of an apprentice, you must look at all the factors that go into the costs you must pay, and the support you can. Please see here a support guide on finance to consider.

Coach Core provides a £3,500 grant per apprentice to offset some of these costs, with the expectation that you are employing an apprentice who may be facing barriers, discrimination or lack of opportunities.

The government can provide an additional £1,000 grant to apprentices who are either 16-18 years old or 19-25 with an education, health and care plan, or who used to be in care.

Level 2 Community Activator Coach programme

The Level 2 Community Activator Coach programme launches in September 2025, please see below how to get involved: 

  • Click here to find out more information on the programme.
  • Sign up to our webinar on Thursday 8th May to hear more information – link?
  • New organisations/employers application form for Level 2 Community Activator Coach here.
  • Returning organisations/employers application form for Level 2 Community Activator Coach here.
  • Register to become an Essex Coach Core apprentice here.
Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer programme

Organisations can enrol in the Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer programme at any time. See below for details on how to get started:

  • Click here to find out more information on the programme
  • Please find the organisations/employers application form for Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer here.
  • Register to become an Essex Coach Core apprentice here.

Get in touch!

Expression of interest form for new employers wanting to find out more about Essex Coach Core

Register to become an Essex Coach Core apprentice

Lead contact for Essex Coach Core
Phil West
[email protected]

Hi everyone, my name Is Phil West and I lead the programmes for Coach Core across the south and including Essex. I am delighted to say that we are re launching again in September 2025 and have 14 part funded apprenticeship places for great employers in the sports sector across Essex. I am really privileged to work with two amazing partners, Active Essex who run the programme along side us and Lifetime training who provide a great Learning Coach. My background is sporting coaching, where I went from a casual cricket coach at my local club at 16 to running one of the UK’s biggest sports coaching franchises by the age of 27. I have stepped away now from the day to day operations of that role but I still very close to the ground with coaching locally in my business. In my role at Coach Core now I am passionate about sport being a career that should be encouraged, celebrated and pushed to our school & college leavers. Whether you’re a parent, a young person looking for work or an employer, please reach out to me or my team and we will talk you through the incredible Coach Core model.

 

Take a read of some Essex Coach Core case studies

National Apprenticeship Week Blog

Skills For Life Blog

A huge win for Essex Coach Core apprentices

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Essex Coach Core

Read the Coach Core Impact Report

Testimonials from Essex Coach Core apprentices

“I think that the best bit about doing a Coach Core apprenticeship is being part of a team! It’s really great and all the people I work with are positive and decent people. As we work in some tough places, there is always drama going on, but we try to remain calm and be helpful to everyone. I would definitely suggest doing this apprenticeship if that’s what you want, because I have honestly had the best time. It’s gone so quick and I’ve learned so much that I haven’t really had time to think about all the hard work.”

 

“Any young person wanting to get involved, should! It has helped me improve my confidence, my knowledge, and my skill set. My employer has supported me with further coaching courses and offered me additional opportunities. Sport is very diverse and can offer a wide range of activities that you can get into. I’m finally really excited for my future.”

Chloe Hinds

Relationship Development Officer - Mid

Email: [email protected]

Mobile: 07809 105066