DYW Borders collaborated with Melrose Rugby Club and Earlston High School to deliver a year-long “Careers Around the Pitch” programme engaging 17, S6 students as part of their NPA qualification ‘Organising Volunteering Events in Sport SCQF Level 6.’
The initiative combined employability skills development with real-world experience, using sport as a context to explore a wide range of career pathways. Throughout the programme, students took part in structured volunteering opportunities linked to activities and job roles “around the pitch.” This hands-on approach allowed them to build confidence, teamwork, and communication skills while gaining insight into the planning and behind the scenes running of a sports organisation.
Topics included:
- Financial awareness & funding opportunities within a club to maximise revenue.
- Benefits and impact of volunteering for the individual and industry.
- Legal requirements when working with young people / public / licensed premises.
- Marketing & Operations
- Event Organisation
These sessions helped students connect classroom learning to industry expectations and broaden their understanding of potential career routes. In addition, students were tasked with creating engaging social media content to promote activities and showcase their experiences. This developed their digital skills, creativity, and understanding of audience engagement- key competencies in today’s workplace.
