The League Football Education (LFE) visited stadiummk earlier this month to deliver a workshop for the Dons’ apprentices.
The LFE is a partnership set up by The Football League and The Professional Footballers' Association to manage the Apprenticeship scheme.
Their trip to Milton Keynes was aimed around educating the young Dons, and scholars from Coventry City and Northampton Town who were also in attendance, about life outside of football and to get them thinking about future careers.
Simon Dwight, education officer at the Dons, told MK Dons PlayerHD. “LFE were here to try and get the apprentices to think about what it is that make them different, who they are as a person and what they could possibly do as a passion in their life.
“The event was different to ones they’ve done in the past. Before, apprentices would meet businesses but in questioning apprentices, LFE realised that the apprentices didn’t engage because they were still hopeful of getting a professional contract with their football club.
“We had ourselves, Coventry City and Northampton Town here and the team that were here were trying to get boys to think about what they want to do.”
Their trip to Milton Keynes was aimed around educating the young Dons, and scholars from Coventry City and Northampton Town who were also in attendance, about life outside of football and to get them thinking about future careers.
Simon Dwight, education officer at the Dons, told MK Dons PlayerHD. “LFE were here to try and get the apprentices to think about what it is that make them different, who they are as a person and what they could possibly do as a passion in their life.
“The event was different to ones they’ve done in the past. Before, apprentices would meet businesses but in questioning apprentices, LFE realised that the apprentices didn’t engage because they were still hopeful of getting a professional contract with their football club.
“We had ourselves, Coventry City and Northampton Town here and the team that were here were trying to get boys to think about what they want to do.”
“Their education underpins all that they do around the Club. To get a player on the pitch, there are so many things they need to know. It’s now just about their football skills, it’s about managing their life, their mind and their arrangements and time – that’s what we work on through their education programme.”
“The other area of their apprenticeship which is really valuable to them is their coaching certificate, which the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) provide. It enables them, after apprenticeship, to think about a career as a coach. For some of our past apprentices, that has led into Academy work and further up, management.
“My primary role as Education Officer is to teach and lead the NVQ, their vocational qualification. The boys go to college and study units based around what goes on at a Football Club, so it’s stuff like fitness testing, nutrition and psychology skills.
Although the Dons’ scholars will ultimately be judged on their football ability when the decision on professional contracts arises, education remains an important part of their apprenticeship, as Dwight explains.
“The other area of their apprenticeship which is really valuable to them is their coaching certificate, which the PFA (Professional Footballers’ Association) provide. It enables them, after apprenticeship, to think about a career as a coach. For some of our past apprentices, that has led into Academy work and further up, management.
“My primary role as Education Officer is to teach and lead the NVQ, their vocational qualification. The boys go to college and study units based around what goes on at a Football Club, so it’s stuff like fitness testing, nutrition and psychology skills.
Although the Dons’ scholars will ultimately be judged on their football ability when the decision on professional contracts arises, education remains an important part of their apprenticeship, as Dwight explains.
