Earl Davis

After years of unsuccessful applications, an ex-professional footballer has walked straight into his dream job thanks to qualifying as a fitness instructor on a new government funded training programme.

Released from his professional footballing career with Burnley in 2003 as a result of a knee injury, Earl Davis (26) has spent the last six years working in the scaffolding industry. "My work in the building trade was more out of necessity than because I particularly enjoyed it," explains Earl. "My real passion has always been for football and fitness, but despite applying for lots of jobs as a fitness instructor, I was never successful. Employers always wanted a recognised qualification and although I've got plenty practical experience, I had no certificates to back it up."  

Earl's luck changed when a friend told him about Lifetime's Fitness Academy access to Apprenticeship which would provide the training and practical experience necessary for him to become a qualified fitness instructor. Liking what he read about the programme on the website, Earl signed up and went on to complete his studies in Manchester at the end of 2008.

Incredibly, after spending five years trying to break into the fitness industry, Earl walked straight into a job within a week of finishing the four-week training course. He now works as a fitness instructor at the Longford Health and Fitness Club in Chorlton, Manchester.

"If the opportunity to do the government funded programme hadn't arisen, I would still just be dreaming about working in the fitness industry because I simply couldn't afford to take time off work for four weeks as well as fund the course myself," says Earl.

"The course was challenging, but really enjoyable and I'm planning to go on and do a level 3 personal trainer qualification later this year."