As National Apprenticeship Week 2026 highlights the importance of apprenticeships in developing a skilled, future-ready workforce, Gateway Qualifications is proud to support Changing the Game, a trailblazing Community Development apprenticeship programme led by Brentford FCCST and delivered in collaboration with football club charities across the country.
On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, Gateway Qualifications will join Brentford FCCST and sector partners at St George’s Park for a roundtable to share insights on how the Changing The Game apprenticeship is responding to workforce development needs in the community sector and to explore new opportunities within football club charities and beyond.
Addressing National Skills Gaps
The Changing the Game apprenticeship is delivered by COPA with Gateway Qualifications acting as the End-point Assessment Organisation. The programme enables learners to gain practical experience alongside the Level 4 Community Development Professional qualification, which is specifically designed in response to sector workforce needs.
With 946,000 young people aged 16–24 classified as NEET between July and September 2025, the programme aims to remove barriers to employment and create sustainable pathways into meaningful roles. Its first cohort of 33 learners began their training in December 2025, supported by the Premier League and the Professional Footballers’ Association.
Fabienne Bailey, Gateway Qualifications, CEO, commented:
“We are proud to be the End‑point Assessment organisation supporting Brentford FCCST and COPA through the Changing the Game apprenticeship. The programme brings training, sustainability and community impact together by embedding the Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Practitioner Apprenticeship into real-world roles, giving the next generation of community development professionals the skills, confidence and purpose to create lasting change where it matters most.”
Gareth James, Managing Director of COPA, said, “COPA is one of the largest apprenticeship providers of active leisure courses in the UK. We’re excited to be working with Brentford FC, with support from the Premier League, Premier League Foundation and the Professional Footballers’ Association. Apprenticeships are essential for the sports sector, the practical learning they offer is invaluable to both learners and employers.”
George Greaves, Director of Greaves Education, said, “At Greaves Education, we’re proud to support the Changing the Game programme alongside Brentford FCCST, COPA and Gateway Qualifications. Having been involved from the very earliest conversations through to the launch of this first cohort over the past three years, it’s inspiring to see the programme come to life.
Scott Price, Learning and Development Business Partner at Chelsea FC, said, “Chelsea Football Club is proud to support this programme, which will help to expand access to high-quality apprenticeships both in football and beyond. Apprenticeships can unlock potential and provide opportunity where it’s most needed. We’re delighted to see the progress made so far and look forward to the continued impact this programme will deliver.”
Alex White, Premier League Foundation Chief Executive, said, “Changing the Game represents the kind of bold, community-driven innovation we are proud to champion. Through the partnership between Brentford FC Community Sports Trust, fellow football club charities, and sport for development experts, this programme invests directly in the people making the greatest difference on the ground.
“With the support of the Premier League and the PFA, Changing the Game is helping to build a skilled, confident and future-focused workforce equipped to tackle real community challenges. Most importantly, it empowers the next generation of leaders to use the power of football to inspire positive change in their local communities.”
Unlocking Opportunity Through the Apprenticeship Levy
Apprenticeship levy gifting has played a central role in enabling the Changing the Game pilot, demonstrating how underspent levy funds can be redirected to unlock high-quality training and long-term community impact.
Chelsea Football Club alone has contributed more than £190,000, covering over 43% of the pilot cohort across six football club charities. This level of support has opened doors for organisations that do not pay the levy themselves, enabling them to access apprenticeship training that would otherwise be out of reach.
Moving Beyond Corporate Social Responsibility
While corporate social responsibility is at the heart of Changing the Game, the programme also includes masterclasses aligned with national priorities in skills, inclusion and progression, helping apprentices understand how they can make a difference in their communities.