WARRINGTON Collegiate students studying BTEC Level 3 Football Excellence have landed a job with Manchester United Soccer Schools.

The first students graduating from the BTEC Level 3 Football Excellence with Manchester United Soccer Schools Development through Coaching course are celebrating after gaining paid employment at Manchester United Soccer Schools (MUSS).

The students have all enjoyed holiday jobs in the UK and abroad with MUSS, including Denmark, Scandinavia and Italy, before progressing onto employment in the football industry or university in September.

John Dyke, Lecturer in Sport at Warrington Collegiate said: “These first graduates have set a very high standard of success.

“The course, which is equivalent to three A levels, enables the students to be both job ready and prepared for university when they leave us, with the drive and motivation to reach the top in a very competitive industry. “This first course was launched two years ago. Since then we have expanded into Northern Ireland as the reputation of the course has grown and the quality of the student experience has resulted in high grades and top class coaching experience.”

Over the past two years, 18-year-old Jamie Livesey, from Padgate, has enjoyed international paid work in Italy, Norway and Demark as well as the UK, working on the residential program at Denstone College, Staffordshire.

Jamie was also chosen as the Outstanding Student of the Year at the Warrington Collegiate FE Awards Ceremony 2014.

With a wealth of experience already on his CV, Jamie, who is heading off to study at Preston University in September, is delighted with his success on the course.

He said: ”Warrington Collegiate and MUSS provides a great student and coaching experience. It has given me the confidence and the best possible start to my career as a professional coach in the best possible way"

Fellow student, 18-year-old Ben Graham, from Fearnhead, enjoyed working in both Italy and the UK, working on the residential programmes at Bradfield and Denstone colleges.

As a result of his achievement on the course and extensicve coaching experience he has gained employment with a local community coaching company.

Ben added: "Warrington Collegiate and MUSS have given me the opportunity to travel and work in England and abroad which has been a great experience for me as a person and support my development as a coach."