Sporting Futures Training is proud to celebrate the success of Jill Eaton, Director, Sporting Futures Training, on her recent MBE at the King’s first Birthday Honours List 2023. Jill received the honour in recognition of her outstanding contribution to raising the profile of apprenticeships in Further Education (FE) and the skills sector.
As co-director of Sporting Futures Training, alongside Jo Pountney, the organisation has supported over 2000 learners, through sport, health, and wellbeing apprenticeships, since its launch in 2011. The organisation is driven by a desire to raise the aspirations of individuals and create opportunities for all ages to learn and train through apprenticeships.
As a team of teachers in a training provider world, the company continues to grow from strength to strength, having recently joined Real Group Training. This exciting new opportunity allows for a refreshed focus on developing and supporting SEND in the school setting. Their school-based apprenticeships continue to exceed national achievement rates for all learners and staff who have enhanced their skills using the apprenticeship levy as a CPD budget to fund specialist training.
Speaking on her honour award, Jill commented:
“Coming from a teaching and schools background and stepping into the Training Provider world with my Co-Director Jo Pountney has been a rollercoaster of a journey that continues to this day. I am immensely proud to receive the MBE and would like to recognise and thank everyone who has been part of that journey.
The value of apprenticeships is immense and whilst we face challenges, we must strive to ensure that apprenticeships continue to fulfil the purpose for which they were developed, the entry-level apprenticeship is incredibly important to support young people to take their first step onto an employment pathway and to access further opportunities that are now available for more experienced individuals continue to raise aspirations and enhance apprenticeship opportunities.
It is with pride that Sporting Futures Training continues to promote the value of workforce development through apprenticeships in schools.”
Sporting Futures Training continues to look for partner schools that are looking to embrace apprentices and new staff or to upskill existing team members.