Expansion of Dale Works service from Rochdale AFC Community Trust

Dale Works

Dale Works, Rochdale AFC Community Trust's employability project, is set to be busier than ever after new contract wins will see the provision expand into 2023/24.

Since the Covid pandemic, Dale Works has focused on getting people back into employment as well as developing young people through traineeships.

Workers' Educational Association (WEA) funding as well as a bespoke traineeship run in conjunction with Northern Training Academy has seen over 100 people pass through courses at the Crown Oil Arena, with 80% graduating into employment, education or training.

Such is the success of these programmes, the Triangle Trust and Rochdale Borough Council have invested in new programmes to complement the existing activity.

The Triangle Trust will invest £60,000 into a project called Training Ground that will engage those involved with the criminal justice system or from a looked after background.

New staff will complement the existing team and ensure that employability skills, personal branding and core subjects such as maths and English are all developed.

Stadium Heroes, a new initiative that aims to develop maths skills in adults, has been commissioned for a pilot cohort by Rochdale Borough Council.

Learners will engage in practical, stadium based sessions over a number of weeks using day to day activities and football as the theme to develop maths skills.

Scott Webster, employability coordinator at Rochdale AFC Community Trust said: "We exist to use the power of football to engage people and make a difference to the people of Rochdale.

"Ensuring that people can better themselves and find employment is a key part of the clubs commitment to its community and I’m really looking forward to developing our offer to reach more people and have a bigger impact than ever before."

You can find out more about the upcoming programmes, including how to make referrals, by emailing Scott.Webster@rochdaleafc.co.uk