PREMIERSHIP RUGBY’S HITZ PROGRAMME CELEBRATES MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

March 8, 2019

As the UK commemorates National Apprenticeship Week, Premiership Rugby’s flagship education and employability programme HITZ is celebrating ten years of transitioning thousands of young people into employment.

Over the last decade, the 13 member clubs of Premiership Rugby have used rugby’s core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship to support 14 to 24-year-olds not in education, training or employment (NEET).

The programme allows these young people, who may have fallen out of the education system or have  a troubled upbringing, to gain valuable qualifications and work experience to get their lives back on track.  81% of programme participants have progressed on to education, training or employment and 85% report an improvement in personal, social and physical wellbeing.

This personalised development has seen participants graduate with a  renewed sense of confidence and armed with a range of employability skills that are desirable for prospective employers. Apprenticeship opportunities range from becoming full-time members of staff at the rugby clubs themselves to  significant positions in local councils and  popular businesses such as Holiday Inn.

Ross Ferguson, General Manager of Holiday Inn, Shepperton, has worked closely with his local club, London Irish, and has offered over 20 HITZ learners work experience at his hotel. Ross gives participants the opportunity to work in every department , shadowing and being mentored by staff which allows them to learn first-hand from experts in their field. Each week, the participants choose a department they would like to learn from and are treated like an actual staff member when on duty.

“I’m proud to be working with HITZ and providing opportunities for them to get back into education or employment,” said Ross. “Too often, employers are quick to judge a book by its cover and don’t know the personal circumstances that have led to these young people falling on hard times.” 

Premiership Rugby is a three-time Beyond Sport Global Awards Shortlister. They won the 2014 Governing Body of the Year Award. Learn more about the Beyond Sport Global Awards here.