Employment Coach

Role Purpose The Employment Coach will lead the recruitment, engagement and mentoring of young people aged 16–24 on the EFL in the Community Training Ground programme, supporting participants to progress towards education, training and employment opportunities. The role will also lead on the delivery of The King’s Trust Achieve programme and play a key role in the development of AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s Youth Hub, helping to shape a welcoming and engaging space for young people. Through a combination of one-to-one and group mentoring, the Employment Coach will help young people overcome barriers, build confidence, develop employability and life skills, and access training, qualifications and work experience. Working with schools, employers, referral agencies and community partners, the Employment Coach will strengthen referral and progression pathways, monitor participant progress and ensure mentoring activity and outcomes are effectively recorded. DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the recruitment, engagement and mentoring of young people aged 16–24 on the EFL in the Community Training Ground programme, supporting participants to progress towards education, employment and training (ETE) opportunities. Lead the development and delivery of one-to-one and group mentoring sessions, building trusted relationships with young people and supporting them to identify their strengths, barriers and individual goals. Lead on the delivery of The King’s Trust Achieve programme, supporting learners to work towards relevant King’s Trust qualifications, including the completion of portfolios of evidence, assessment requirements and internal quality assurance processes. Play a key role in the development of AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s Youth Hub, supporting the Employment & Skills Manager to shape an inclusive and engaging space that responds to the needs of local young people. Support the Employment & Skills Manager to implement an effective volunteering and work experience framework across the organisation that enables young people to gain meaningful experience and take their first steps into employment. Plan and deliver employability, life skills and personal development sessions, including CV development, interview preparation, workplace readiness and activities that build confidence and resilience. Identify and develop meaningful training, qualification, volunteering and work experience opportunities, working with internal departments, local businesses and external partners to create progression pathways for young people. Build and maintain strong relationships with schools, colleges, employers, referral agencies, local authorities and community partners, developing effective referral pathways into Training Ground and wider Foundation opportunities. Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of local education, training, employment and support opportunities, ensuring young people are appropriately referred and supported into suitable provision. Take ownership of achieving all Training Ground programme KPIs, contractual requirements and reporting deadlines. Maintain accurate and timely participant records, including mentoring notes, action plans, attendance, outcomes and progression data, ensuring all programme activity, progress and outcomes are effectively captured, evidenced and reported. Work closely with the Communications Team to capture case studies, success stories and participant journeys, supporting the promotion and impact reporting of Employment & Skills programmes. Work with the Head of Programmes and Employment & Skills Manager to identify development opportunities and service gaps within existing programmes, subsequently approaching suitable partners and/or funders. To hold a strong knowledge of the companies safeguarding children policy, creating a safe environment, taking action to protect all young people and vulnerable adults that are either within the care of your programmes or attending club premises and report any concerns to the Safeguarding Lead. To adhere to the Foundation’s policies and procedures, including Health & Safety, Financial Authorisation, Confidentiality and GDPR. To act as an ambassador for diversity, equality, and inclusion, and demonstrate a positive commitment by treating others fairly in line with our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Policy and reporting any acts of discrimination through appropriate channels Deliver additional roles and responsibilities as agreed by Line Manager. PERSON SPECIFICATION Qualifications: Hold a relevant higher education or industry recognised certification or have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working within charity, employment or education industry. Mentoring, Youth Work or Health & Social Care related qualification. Emergency Aid and Safeguarding Children Certificates. Ability to travel to activity & meetings across London and surrounding areas / Full Driving License Experience: Experience of designing, delivering and leading employment, mentoring and training