BRIGHTON and Hove Albion’s official charity has welcomed West Sussex County Council’s cabinet member for education and skills to the American Express Community Stadium.

The visit was to celebrate its on-going partnership with the local authority.

Councillor Richard Burrett visited the stadium to meet the people behind Albion in the Community’s NVQ in Spectator Safety programme and hear from some of the participants about the impact the qualification has had on them.

AITC receives funding from West Sussex County Council to run the course which is open to anyone aged 19 or over.

The idea is to help people gain a nationally-accredited qualification that boosts their job prospects.

A number of participants have succeeded in finding matchday work with Brighton and Hove Albion as well as at a range of venues across Sussex, including the Brighton Centre, Brighton Dome and Brighton Racecourse.

Some have also worked with Crawley Town FC and Sussex CCC.

2017 was the first year that AITC has received funding from West Sussex County Council but the charity has been successfully running the course for the last five years – with more than 450 people gaining the qualification as a result.

There are currently 114 people sitting the qualification which involved classroom work and practical assessments both on a matchday and in simulated scenarios at the stadium where volunteers play the part of supporters.

AITC recently received the highest grade possible for its delivery after being visited by external moderators and the charity has been widely praised for the professionalism of its course.