A leading leisure provider is celebrating the success of a young man whose journey through the apprenticeship programme is a standout example of how opportunities, hard work and passion can flourish together.
Blake Hadley, age 19 from Kingswinford, recently started working for Kore Sandwell (formerly Sandwell Leisure Trust, SLT, which maintains eight affordable centres on behalf of Sandwell Council) as a qualified Swim Teacher and after successfully passing his apprenticeship has clear ambitions for the future.
He hopes to progress into term-time teaching, coaching and a trainer assessor role and is particularly passionate about supporting younger people who may be unsure of their career direction – even delivering apprenticeship courses himself one day and helping others take their first steps into the burgeoning leisure industry.
Blake joined Kore’s flagship Sandwell Aquatics Centre in Smethwick as an apprentice in September 2024, and quickly gained hands-on experience in the gym, on reception, lifeguarding, swim teaching and padel coaching – developing a broad skillset and a deep understanding of leisure operations.
He says: “It’s been a brilliant experience and I loved every minute, especially doing outreach work and going into schools, teaching swimming, and doing career and open days. I’ve continued to build on my learning by achieving Multi-Skills Level 2, enabling me to coach at dry sites as well. An apprenticeship is a great way to learn such a variety of skills and I’d recommend it to any young person starting out.”
Blake’s journey highlights the real impact of the apprenticeship programme at Kore Sandwell – not just in building careers, but in shaping confident, motivated individuals with a passion for giving back and inspiring the next generation.
Kore places a big emphasis on equal opportunities and supporting strategies to tackle youth unemployment rates in the Black Country region. It has offered a host of different apprenticeship programmes across all of its sites since 2021. All participants that passed their course have secured permanent employment and continue to develop their skills and qualifications with Kore Sandwell.
Another great example is Harrison Hanson, age 19 from Sedgley, who came to Kore on a L3 apprenticeship and undertook a Sports & Health Officer qualification, Having passed with distinction, he’s now taken up a coaching role at Tipton Sports Academy and has just been nominated for Apprentice of the Year by Kore’s apprenticeship partner, Aspire Training Solutions.
The second cohort commenced their apprenticeship in September 2025 and are also working hard to gain access into a rewarding and exciting career in health and wellbeing. Jesse Painter, age 17 from Wolverhampton, is training at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury and after breaking his hip twice and developing a rare blood condition following a run of bad football injuries is striving to become a gym instructor, specialising in strength and conditioning – with the aim of helping others avoid the types of injuries and setbacks he has experienced.
For further information visit: https://www.korewellness.co.uk/