A group of local Brent adults will work at Wembley Stadium connected by EE for this weekend’s Emirate FA Cup Semi-Finals weekend, gaining invaluable work experience as part of an employability initiative.

The cohort of trainees are part of a joint initiative between The FA and The King’s Trust, to support local unemployed young people back into the workforce.

Designed to combat high unemployment rate in the London Borough of Brent, the partnership provides young adults with 10 days of immersive training across a range of roles that play a vital function in delivering two of the biggest sporting fixtures of the football season, including hospitality, crowd safety and health and safety.

The initiative invites young people (aged 16–30 years) from the local Brent community and beyond to go ‘behind the velvet rope’ of the world’s most famous stadium. The programme offers intensive workshops, hands-on experience in high-pressure event delivery, and a route into the UK’s vibrant sports and hospitality sector.

Ritika Joshi, was one of the participants who took part in last year’s pilot programme. She went on to find a full-time role with Wembley Stadium’s waste management provider Veolia. Speaking about the experience she said:

"I was really struggling to get my foot in the door after graduating, feeling discouraged by the 'unsaid rules' of job hunting. The work experience completely boosted my confidence. It taught me how to present my skills in the best way, and encouraged me to cast a wider net and have confidence in myself. I now know I am more qualified than I realised. The skills I have learnt will stay with me forever, and I wouldn't change a single thing about my experience with The King's Trust and Wembley Stadium."

Keeley Williams, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at the FA said: "By opening our doors to young people who might otherwise feel excluded from these spaces, we aren’t just filling roles, we are building careers and strengthening our local community."