The popular Football Coaching and Development Foundation Degree course at Exeter College has achieved Higher Technical Qualification status meaning skills are even more aligned to the industry. The course runs in partnership with Exeter City Community Trust, utilising their extensive knowledge of football coaching and development from their community initiatives to their elite performance programme. 

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and 5 qualifications (such as Foundation Degrees) that have been approved as meeting occupational standards for the relevant sector. With a growing demand for skills from employers, a Higher Technical Qualification is a great way of getting the right training, knowledge and skills to be successful in the workplace because HTQs have been developed in collaboration with employers.   

Jack Gill, Deputy Head of the Sport Faculty at Exeter College who teaches on the programme, said; 
 
“We are very excited that our Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development will soon include a Sports Coach (Level 4) – Community Coach qualification having recently achieved Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) status.  

“During the seven years I have been Programme Manager, the course has benefitted from a strong and productive relationship with Exeter City Football Club. This currently includes students completing a community coaching placement with the Community Trust, four weeks of talent identification observations at the Academy’s Performance Centre and attending fixtures to complete live coding performance analysis. These are just a few examples of the positive working partnership between the College and the Football Club, and the applied vocational nature of the course.  

“The new HTQ status helps build on the course’s successful track record of effectively equipping students with the employability skills and experience needed to work in the football industry. This is evident from the many student alumni who now occupy prominent job roles within Exeter City Football Club and further afield.” 

Former students have gone on to have successful careers in the industry, these include; Head of Coaching and Player Development and the Women’s joint manager at Exeter City FC, FA Football Development Officer, Director of Football, Programme Leader at Exeter College and a Secondary School PE Teacher. 

Jamie Vittles, Chief Executive at Exeter City Community Trust said; 

“At Exeter City Community Trust, we’re hugely proud of our partnership with Exeter College and the opportunities that it has provided to both young people and staff for personal and professional development.  

“Over the course of the past decade, the Foundation Degree in Football Coaching and Development has been a shining example of the benefits that this collaboration has brought to the community, and so we are delighted that the hard work and commitment of all involved has achieved HTQ status.  

“Massive congratulations to Alex, Jack and the team, and we look forward to this programme going from strength to strength in the months and years to come.” 

A current student on the programme, Matt Rowe, describes himself as a “massive Exeter City fan” and hopes to go on to a career in football. He said: 

“I was a bit fed up with typical academic study and thought something a bit more practical and hands-on was something that would interest me a lot more and that is what this course has done so far.” 

Industry work placements provide students with the opportunity to practically apply their extensive knowledge base gained throughout the course, providing them with excellent progression or employment opportunities. Speaking about this Matt said; 

“You get lots of interpersonal skills, you get to meet lots of different people. We’ve done coaching with young people, refereeing and worked with women’s football. We’ve accessed a nice range of football communities and got to learn about all different elements of the game.” 

Students also access outstanding, professional standard sports facilities such as the Exwick Sports Hub. This site benefits from continuous investment to ensure the College can deliver industry ready skills and knowledge. 

Charlie Dack progressed from A Level PE and the Exeter College Football Academy and hopes to get into the Football Academy at Exeter City. 

“I support Exeter City and want to do what I can to help the team and influence the younger players in the academy. The course has allowed me to open my eyes to a lot of different avenues I can go into. Football analysis is something I have been intrigued by recently.” 

Find out more about this course at our next Open Event on Wednesday 26 April.