About the organisation

Prosports Holdings is a sports development business, which uses sport to change lives. They work with children from 18 months all the way up to elderly people. The team mostly supports the public education sector with their curricular and extra-curricular activities.

Experience with EALTS

The organisation’s Managing Director found out about the EALTS through connections at Essex County Council (ECC). As the business is largely built on apprenticeships, they instantly understood the benefits of engaging with the Essex Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Service (ALTS)

Prosports Holdings found the sign-up very easy thanks to expert support throughout, resulting in several cohorts of sports coach apprenticeships being funded by levy transfers secured through the service.

Outcomes and benefits

Apprenticeships have been central to the success and growth of Prosports Holdings. The organisation has developed an innovative pathway model, ensuring every team member understands their next steps and has clear objectives for achieving them.  

“Over the last decade, Prosports Holdings and its subsidiary companies have employed over 100 apprentices” says Richard Partridge, Business Development Manager. “Half of our programme management team are former apprentices, thanks to this pathway model.  

“This approach has allowed us to grow at a consistently high rate, buying businesses within the group, creating new products and services for our community partners, and building the resilience to adapt to a challenging landscape.  

“Because of this strength, we teach thousands of children to swim every year, run an award-winning gymnastics club, support over 1,000 children weekly in clubs and help support the hardest to reach parts of our community with our funded holiday club spaces.”

Apprentice testimonials

Additional apprenticeships add vibrancy to a business. The levy transfer service also helped to develop the organisation’s staff to a higher standard.

Mira, one of the apprentices, said, “The apprenticeship experience was challenging and a great way to gain new knowledge. I felt listened to and supported throughout.

“I took part in regular training and got the chance to see how other coaches deliver their sessions. Seeing how they approached certain situations helped to boost my confidence and overcome any shyness.”

Harry, another of the organisation’s apprentices, adds, “I have learnt so much from the job as well as the people around me. I have enjoyed every aspect, from teaching new sports to children in after-school clubs to getting nursery kids active.

“Being a new apprentice, I always knew there would be some challenges, but the help of those around me and resources at hand have made it much easier and more enjoyable.”