Hi all,

As im taking my qualifications and badges I thought we should have a topic on making the big jump from having levels 1,2 and uefa B to employment. I know there are some full time coaches who frequent the forum and would like all advice.

Questions I have are:

1. How did you find getting work and how did you go about it?
2. What is the earning capacity like in general?
3. Did you work whilst doing your badges and if so in what profession?
4. What advice would you give to people wishing to be coaches? IS it mainly a part time career?
In my case, im doing level one and online courses followed by level 2 when ready but what would be the next step, how do i get some coaching employment when already in a full time job etc.

thanks for all your help, this board is extremely useful

You would most likely have to do it at night time and over the weekend if you work the conventional 9-5 working week.

As you will only be level 1 qualified, you would have to work voluntarily for a while. I am doing so at the moment and i have my level 2 badge.

I am only starting out but having spoken to a few people in the industry, the best thing to do is get as much coaching work as you can (it doesn't matter if it's Under 4's or Under 16's). It tells potential employers down the while that you are trustworthy, have good experience with different age/ability levels and that you are coaching for the right reasons.

Even though you are making no money now, it will hopefully pay off in the future.

"You get paid for the unpaid hours"

I would also welcome information on this.
I have coached voluntary for over 7 years, have the Level 2 and have worked twice within small multi-sports companies.
I have emailed and sent letters to three local football development schemes who have summer courses on, but no responses at all yet!
There is definitely many coaches without the same experience as me, and without Level 2 who are working in these companies - I suspect they know somebody who helped them get in...

Ive been doing voluntary work as a coach for 2 years now. Im level 1 qualified but hope to pass level 2 next month. Im going to try going to America for paid work and then come back with more experience and go for the uefa b license. If you have the Uefa b licence you can get paid work a lot easier.