Project Boxing has joined forces with an award-winning construction company to provide employment opportunities for amateur and professional boxers.
FK Group – which specialises in roofing, cladding, and glazing – is working with PB to give boxers from clubs across Greater Manchester 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.
CEO of the company, Francis Keenan, 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, and former lightweight world champion 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.”