New programme to tackle unemployment and crime launched for Coventry’s young people
Local businesses are being called on to support the launch of a major new initiative to help young people in Coventry and Warwickshire.
The HITZ programme is being delivered nationally by Premiership Rugby and aims to get youngsters back into education, vocational training and apprenticeships by building their skills.
HITZ has proved highly successful at the clubs which have run the initiative and Wasps, who moved to the Ricoh Arena, are now launching it in Coventry.
World Cup winner Lewis Moody and Wasps winger Christian Wade joined over 50 businesses to launch HITZ at the Ricoh Arena.
Anthony O’Reilly, Wasps HITZ Officer, said:
The local business community could help the initiative and their companies by signing up to the scheme which offers the chance of work placements, employment with training and apprenticeships.
HITZ uses the core values of teamwork, respect, integrity, enjoyment and discipline to engage young people aged 16 to 19 and help them reach their potential.
The scheme provides practical training alongside employability sessions on skills including CV writing, interview techniques, presentation skills and time keeping alongside tuition in maths, English, sports and leisure.
The young people have great potential but not always, for a variety of reasons, the skills to help them realise it. HITZ uses a combination of training and the core values of the sport to help enable them to play an active role in society for everyone’s benefit.
It is achieving some great results around the country and we are confident that it will do the same here in Coventry.
Wasps have made a big impact in the area since their arrival a year ago and have great links with businesses in this area who we hope will play a part.
That might range from just coming to one of our sessions to talk about the life skills needed to work inside their organisation or to help with interview techniques.
The ultimate aim is that HITZ will provide potential members of their workforce to help their companies move forward.
HITZ is based at the AT7 centre in Bell Green run by Coventry Sports Foundation, which also hosts the Engage! rugby initiative that works to develop young people across the city via the sports core values.
Anyone interested in learning more about HITZ or wishing to take part should contact Anthony Oreilly or log on to www.hitzrugby.com/