LIVERPOOL and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold has announce the first wave of jobs to go live on his The After Academy platform.
Trent was inspired to create The After Academy after seeing first-hand the challenges faced by those who fell out of the football academy system. The vast majority of those who sign for an academy aged 9 do not make it as professionals and, for many young people who have spent their formative years with football as their main ambition, the sacrifices made to pursue their dreams have impacted their education and job prospects.
The After Academy platform aims to support those players, by providing them with the tools to succeed in a variety of careers, and tangible opportunities to get a foot through the door in the competitive sport and creative industries.
The After Academy jobs board, hosted on the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA)’s website and developed by digital partners N3XT Sports, will showcase roles open exclusively to former academy players. Given the potential impact of academies on players’ education, the hiring process will not focus on traditional qualifications but instead prioritise those who can demonstrate transferable skills learned at academies – from leadership and team work to resilience. Jobs will be regularly added to the platform, with roles to be available from Liverpool FC, Red Bull, Adidas, Versus, Therabody, N3XT Sports, The PFA, Hugo Boss and Status. Positions are open to former academy players and members of The PFA, and applicants will also have access to essential careers support, from CV writing to interview skills.
I really believe this platform will make a difference to people’s lives
For those academy players who aren’t yet ready to make the leap into their post-playing career, Trent will also be funding an initial twelve applicants to pursue an accredited The After Academy course with the PFA’s Business School. The PFA Business School supports players and former players as they transition into a new stage of life post-playing.
A new dedicated The After Academy course will be targeted at young, former academy players and will enable participants to learn about the football industry and the various career paths available in the game.
Google, will also work alongside The After Academy to offer digital skills training to academy players enabling them to hone career skills such as networking, CV writing and interviews. Players will also be encouraged to apply for Google’s own apprenticeship program.
Trent said: “I’m so excited to be able to launch The After Academy platform. After months of work with my partners, we’ve been able to create something that not only equips former academy players with the skills they need to succeed in their careers, but also opens the door to their first post-playing job.
It’s important to acknowledge that football careers, particularly for younger players, can be brief and often demand alternative pathways
Maheta Molango, CEO of the PFA
“I really believe this platform will make a difference to people’s lives, and I hope it’s just the beginning of a wider conversation about how we can better support those players who don’t make it.”
Maheta Molango, CEO of the PFA, added: “Trent is a great example of a member using their profile and influence to inspire good in the game. It’s important to acknowledge that football careers, particularly for younger players, can be brief and often demand alternative pathways for early personal and professional development.
The After Academy is a fantastic initiative which will help young players realise their potential and apply transferable skills that they have acquired throughout their football journey. We’re proud to be involved and look forward to working closely with The After Academy partners to support young people in the next stages of their careers.”
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