Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award

John had been interested in pursuing a career as a groundsman since the age of 13, he started his Apprenticeship training at Coventry City Football Club in 2005.  Following the completion of his Apprenticeship he went on to do an Advanced Apprenticeship whilst carrying out the prestigious role of Deputy Head Groundsman. John’s promotion to this role is one of his proudest achievements at CCFC and he was awarded this role at the tender age of 19.

Since becoming Deputy Head Groundsman, John has been given many additional responsibilities such as the training and management of two apprentices. His role includes maintaining the training ground, assisting with the promotion of the club and managing his own budgets, which has in turn led to him devising his own management systems.  John has been interviewed and featured in numerous publications and has also secured press coverage for the club in The National Turf Magazine.  His Apprenticeship success led to him winning the Sharman College Prize.

John attributes much of his success to his Apprenticeship, the combination of learning within the football club itself, college and of course his own hard work has led him to where he is today.  John appreciates the commitment has received from the club, the sought after position he holds and is delighted to be doing a job he loves.  He now wants to use his experiences to encourage his apprentices.

He says, “I would like to continue the practice of management meetings with the apprentices to ensure that they are given the same opportunities for progression as myself”.

John still feels that he can progress even further both in his profession and in his studies by undertaking a HNC/HND course leading to a degree.

John’s training provider, Rosemary Hughes, describes John as “a model student and employee”, and says of him, “he is clearly an outstanding ambassador for the Club and an exemplar for all apprentices”.

John is a finalist in the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category. The prestigious awards aim to recognise young people and employers who have succeeded through Apprenticeships.

Visit the Awards 2006 video microsite