An Altrincham company has launched a pioneering initiative to provide apprenticeships to aspiring young boxers.
FK Group, a construction business which specialises in roofing, cladding and glazing, has joined forces with Project Boxing, a company that provides opportunities for amateur and professional fighters, and co-founded by former lightweight world champion Anthony Crolla.
The collaboration will mean boxers from clubs across Greater Manchester will get the chance to pursue rewarding careers across various aspects of construction.
FK has its own apprentice academy, which delivers a bespoke two-year programme where candidates gain workplace experience in estimating, design, site operations and quantity surveying while studying for a Level 3 NVQ.
Apprentices can also further their education to university degree courses – fully funded by FK.
Francis Keenan, FK Group CEO, said: “Somebody who has the dedication to be
an amateur boxer, the dedication to training and commitment - if we can then give
that somebody the stability and back-up plan to achieve what they want, then that
would be great.
“We’ve got this programme, we are invested in it, we believe in it and that’s why
we’re trying to reinvent it. We need to keep innovating. We’re only as good as the
people we employ, and that’s why we’ve got to keep finding new ways to bring
people into the industry.”
Project Boxing co-founder Anthony Crolla added: “I was lucky that my boxing career worked out, but it could’ve been very different. I didn’t have a plan B and most fighters don’t.
“I would’ve loved an opportunity like the FK apprenticeship when I was starting out as I could’ve earned while I competed, but crucially I’d have the option of a great career for life after boxing. I think this initiative is fantastic.”
