For the past 10 years, Active Essex and Coach Core have worked together with a shared ambition: to create life-changing opportunities for young people through sport and physical activity. What started as a commitment to support young people facing barriers to employment has grown into one of Essex’s most impactful workforce development programmes, helping young adults build confidence, gain qualifications and develop the skills needed for successful careers in sport and beyond.
As we celebrate a decade of partnership, we’re not only reflecting on the programme’s success, but also the hundreds of lives, organisations and communities that have been positively impacted along the way.
Giving Young People a Starting Point
Coach Core is an inclusive sports apprenticeship programme designed for 16 to 24-year-olds who may face barriers, discrimination or a lack of opportunities. Through a combination of employment, training, mentoring and hands-on experience, apprentices develop essential skills for work, life and sport while gaining valuable industry experience.
Since launching in Essex in 2016, the programme has become a vital pathway for young people looking to start a career in physical activity and sport. Working alongside community organisations, clubs, schools and leisure providers, apprentices are given the chance to learn in real-world environments while making a meaningful difference in their local communities.
Why Apprenticeships Matter
For many young people, the transition from education into employment can be challenging. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity to earn while learning, gain practical experience and develop the confidence needed to thrive in the workplace.
Within the sport and physical activity sector, apprenticeships are particularly important. They help create a more diverse, skilled and representative workforce, while ensuring organisations have access to passionate young talent that understands and reflects the communities they serve.
Coach Core goes even further by supporting young people who might otherwise struggle to access opportunities, helping them discover their strengths, build positive relationships and unlock their potential.
10 Years of Impact
Over the last decade, the partnership between Active Essex and Coach Core has delivered significant results across the county:
- 92 young people have started their careers through Essex Coach Core
- 30 employers have supported apprentices through the programme
- Apprentices have delivered an estimated 98,077 coaching sessions
- Those sessions have reached more than one million participants across Essex communities
Behind every statistic is a young person who has gained confidence, developed new skills and taken a positive step towards their future. Many apprentices have gone on to secure employment with their host organisation, continue their education or pursue careers in coaching, teaching and community sport.
The programme has also strengthened the workforce across the county, supporting organisations to develop future talent while helping more residents access opportunities to be active.
Phil West, Programme Lead, Coach Core, said:
“Over the past 10 years, it has been a privilege to work alongside Active Essex to support the growth and success of Coach Core across the county. Together, we’ve created opportunities for young people to develop their skills, build confidence and take meaningful steps into employment through sport and physical activity. The strength of our partnership has been key to the programme’s success, and we’re proud of the positive impact Coach Core has had on individuals, communities and the wider workforce. We look forward to continuing this journey together with our latest programme starting in October 2026 and creating even more opportunities for the next generation.”
Supporting Locally Trusted Organisations
Through strong local partnerships and insight, Active Essex connected Kidz Active, an organisation from Uttlesford, with the Coach Core programme, helping to strengthen workforce development, create opportunities for young people and support future growth. This partnership has provided structured training, mentoring and real-world experience, helping young people build confidence, develop leadership skills and become ready for careers in the sport and physical activity sector.
One success is apprentice Danny, who was nominated for the Lifetime Learning Awards in recognition of his outstanding growth throughout his apprenticeship. Having successfully completed all of his assessments and become fully qualified, Danny has now progressed into a full-time coaching role with Kidz Active, demonstrating the lasting impact of investing in local talent and creating clear pathways into employment.
Read more here.
The true impact of Essex Coach Core is best told by the young people themselves. One apprentice, Nick, reflected:
“I believe I developed throughout this apprenticeship good communication skills, good development mentally and physically, and good rapport with older demographics. What I hope to get out of this apprenticeship is to work in the same sector as I currently am, assisting elderly people, helping the wider demographics throughout these communities.”
Megan also explained:
“Coach Core has given me the opportunity to turn my passion for gymnastics into a career. Through training, mentoring and hands-on experience, I’ve grown in confidence, gained qualifications and developed my coaching skills. The apprenticeship has helped me become a more reflective coach, and seeing young gymnasts achieve their goals and progress is the most rewarding part of the journey.”
The 10th Coach Core programme launches this October, welcoming a new cohort of young people into the sport and physical activity sector. Over the last decade, Essex Coach Core has demonstrated the power of sport to transform lives, helping young people build confidence, develop skills and progress into meaningful careers. With 50% female participation in the latest cohort and 78% of apprentices securing continued employment with their employer, the programme continues to create valuable opportunities while supporting a more diverse workforce.
Chloe Hinds, Active Essex Coach Core lead, reflected:
“It’s been fantastic to work alongside Coach Core over the past 10 years, helping local organisations develop their workforce while creating real opportunities for young people to build careers in sport and physical activity. Many employers return to the programme year after year because they see first-hand the difference it makes, both for their organisation and the young people involved. As we celebrate this milestone, we’d like to thank Coach Core and all our employer partners for their continued commitment to supporting young people and helping to build the future workforce across the county.”
Looking to the future, Active Essex and Coach Core will work with employers and partners across Greater Essex to develop future talent and build the workforce needed for healthier, more active communities.
Learn more about Essex Coach Core here.
