AR26’s GOAL programme provides an alternate education initiative utilising football as the line of engagement to re-engage those disengaged from an early secondary school timetable or at risk of disengaging or needing extra support. It is all about unique group access to education, engagement, employability, on and off the pitch learning, awareness raising, and developing key life skills.
Albert Bartlett supported our second GOAL programme, providing a unique learning experience for a selection of S2 and S3 pupils attending Airdrie Academy and St Margaret’s RC High School in North Lanarkshire.
The first half of the programme was delivered from Airdrie FC in partnership with Albert Bartlett and jointly facilitated by Police Scotland’s National Football Information Point’s, Pitching in Programme and guest speakers delivered half time team talks to participants. The aim of this half of the programme was to educate and engage young people on key topics, encourage better choices and open their eyes to the world of opportunities available to them post school and highlighting different pathways and support they can access. This was achieved by showcasing different case studies, journeys, pathways and developing their skills and experiences both in an interactive workshop environment and on the football pitch.
The second half of the programme, delivered from Albert Bartlett’s site in Airdrie with their employees at the heart of the delivery, was all about giving the young people a unique insight into the world of work and the array of opportunities on their doorstep and showcasing different opportunities and pathways towards a fulfilling future. Participants were also set their own project task to put their learning experience and skills developed into practice.
The aim of this type of programme is to help facilitate those all-important first chances, championing early intervention for those needing it most via a unique learning opportunity out with school, with different facilitators and speakers, creating a bespoke learning environment. On completion we hope participants have a more positive outlook on their pathway to a fulfilling future and how they can be supported towards this by AR26 Charity and partners as part of the in-school aftercare element of the programme.
This type of programme and the delivery of it is unique and we place the participants and their learning needs at the heart of them, aiming for participants to get as much out of their engagement as possible. However, the long-term impact and supporting them on their journey towards a positive destination following school is important and mapping the impact of this is key.
Amanda Nisanci, Head of Partnerships, AR26 Charity said:
“AR26 Charity can’t deliver these types of programmes alone and we are beyond grateful to Albert Bartlett for joining us upfront and partnering with us on this recent programme delivered in Airdrie. Showcasing their offering, opportunities and commitment to their local community is a key priority for Albert Bartlett and we can’t thank them enough for opening their doors for this unique opportunity and the above and beyond commitment and care given to the delivery of this programme from their workforce.
We hope this is the beginning of an exciting journey with Albert Bartlett, bringing this type of unique learning opportunity to many young people in the future needing it most.”
Layne White, HR Manager, Albert Bartlett, said:
“The programme has been beneficial to our Team here at Albert Bartlett. Not only did it provide the young people with an insight as to what working within food manufacturing entails, it also gave us the opportunity to understand their expectations and how as an employer we can learn to adapt and develop too.
Our vision is to create a compelling future for our people and those young people are the future candidates.”