Due to the success of last year's Manchester-based event, our Apprentices recently attended League Football Education's (LFE) 'Progression09 - The Southern Careers Event' which was held at the Madjeski Stadium, Reading on Thursday 9 April.

The event saw Apprentices from our club rub shoulders with event Ambassadors that included Reading's, Republic of Ireland international Stephen Hunt, Scott McGleish, MP for Reading East Rob Wilson and World Silver Bob Skeleton medallist Adam Pengilly.

'Progression' was originally developed by LFE as football's response to the Apprentice fall out rate from the professional game with research showing that around 60% of Apprentice footballers will not be offered a professional contract at the end of their Apprenticeship.

The Progression strategy aims to transition those leaving the game into alternative and secondary careers by pairing them with employers, further/higher education institutions or organisations that offer vocational training.

The event allowed our Apprentices to gain a valuable insight into careers after football and credit must go to LFE for organising the day.

Youth Team Coach Sean Parrish, who was present on the day said;
"All in all I've no doubt that the day will prove to be of great value to many of the players that have attended. The events try to meet a wide range of needs and provide invaluable opportunities for players, it's important that these are grasped because the very nature of football means that every summer hundreds of Professionals and Apprentices are released by clubs. Common sense tells us that not everyone can make it back in to the game, so planning ahead is essential"

For more information on Progression 09 please visit: www.progression09.com.