Kettering Town Football Club kicks off new partnership with The Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group, with campuses across Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire, has welcomed new signing Kettering Town Football Club to join its Employer Partnership Scheme, creating exciting new opportunities for students while strengthening links between education, sport and the local community.
One of Northamptonshire’s most historic and respected football clubs, Kettering Town FC was founded in 1872 and has played an important role in the local community for more than 150 years. Under the ownership of Naheed Akhtar and Nadia Akhtar-Shahzad, the club continues to build on its strong community connections and commitment to developing local talent, bringing people together and creating opportunities across the region.
Through its new partnership, the club will work closely with students and staff at Tresham College to develop a meaningful, long-term relationship that benefits both students and the wider community.
As part of the Employer Partnership Scheme, employers commit to taking part in a range of activities throughout the academic year, helping students gain valuable real-world experience, develop their employability skills and gain a better understanding of the opportunities and expectations within the workplace.
Kettering Town FC’s partnership has the potential to benefit students across a wide range of subject areas. Opportunities being explored include work experience and volunteering in Sport Coaching and Physio, Art, Media, Photography, Hospitality & Catering, Music and Painting & Decorating, giving students the chance to put the skills they develop at College into practice in a real working environment.
One of the first projects being explored will see Art students use their creativity to develop interior and exterior murals at the club. There are also plans for students to create an exterior mural for the Poppies Community Centre, which the club has helped to develop and now operates as a hub for local residents, community groups and activities.
The club is also exploring the potential to support a Business Administration T Level student with an industry placement, providing valuable workplace experience alongside their studies.
Beyond placements and practical projects, Kettering Town FC is keen to play an active role in College life by providing employer talks, attending careers events and sharing its expertise and experience with students.
Paul Arnold, Club Secretary at Kettering Town Football Club, said: “We at Kettering Town Football Club are delighted to be working with The Bedford College Group. This new relationship will enhance our community engagement as well as provide an excellent platform for students to develop and demonstrate their skills and work.”
Rachel Roberts, Partnership Manager at The Bedford College Group, added: “We are very excited to welcome Kettering Town Football Club to our Employer Partnership Scheme. The breadth of opportunities the club is keen to explore demonstrates just how valuable employer partnerships can be for students across many different areas of study.
“From creative projects and work experience to industry placements, employer talks and careers events, this partnership will give our students opportunities to apply their skills in real-life settings, build their confidence and gain experience that will support their future careers.
“Kettering Town FC has such strong roots within the local community, and we are particularly excited about the potential for our students to contribute to projects that will have a visible and lasting impact. We look forward to developing the partnership with the club and creating opportunities that benefit our students, the organisation and the wider community.”