Patrick was chosen for the role with Mazars after completing their rigorous application and interview processes, which he confidently passed thanks to careers coaching and mock interview practice with his mentor at the LFC Foundation, Gemma Smith.
Patrick applied for an accountancy apprenticeship through Leadership though Sport and Business (LTSB), a national charity that gives access to careers in accounting and finance to bright and ambitious young people who face disadvantages, facilitated by Liverpool FC and other Premier League Community initiatives and education delivery partners.
Even before completing his A Levels, 19-year-old Patrick had set his sights on becoming an accountant. However, he was determined to find a pathway that didn’t involve going to university and accruing subsequent student debt.
Patrick said: “I applied for the same role at Mazars last year, but was unsuccessful, so I knew that I needed to improve my CV and make myself more appealing to employers.
“Achieving my Level 2 Association of Accounting Technicians qualification and gaining work experience and personal development through the LFC Foundation definitely helped; it meant that I had plenty more skills and work experiences to include in my application, and I felt much more confident during the interviews.”
Patrick’s six-month LTSB pre-apprenticeship involved attending college three days a week and working with the LFC Foundation one day each week to receive sports leadership and personal development coaching, while improving his CV and practicing interview techniques. Patrick also took part in a week-long volunteering programme, supporting LFC coaches at a selection of projects in Merseyside schools and community centres.
The LFC Foundation has been working with LTSB for just over 12 months, with 16 young people joining the programme in the last year and even more expected to apply this coming year.
The LFC Foundation offers a variety of employability courses throughout the year, specifically to support 18-25-year-olds into employment in their chosen sector. For more information about these courses, visit the LFC Foundation website: https://foundation.liverpoolfc.com.