Gaining from a UEFA apprenticeship

On International Youth Day, find out what our former apprentice Antoine Haering gained from his apprenticeship at UEFA.

How old were you when you started, and what were your first thoughts when you got the apprenticeship?
I was 16 years old when I started as an apprentice at UEFA. First of all, I was very happy and proud, because it was a bit like a dream to have this great opportunity, even if I was also a bit afraid to discover this new world.

How do you think working at UEFA has helped you to develop from a professional and personal point of view?
You work with people from all around the world every single day, with many different backgrounds and experiences, so there's a great opportunity to use their knowledge to develop. I learned a lot from my colleagues and their experience. As I was quite young, it was a bit challenging for me to work in such an international company, but I really liked it! It is a big opportunity as an apprentice to learn in this international environment. I think this really helped me to develop from a professional and personal point of view.

What qualities do you think young employees bring to UEFA?
As an apprentice you are discovering the working world, so we are really motivated and interested in learning new things. I think that young employees bring a nice atmosphere into the office.

You were very young when you started this role; if you could go back to when you started, what one piece of advice would you offer yourself?
Communication in a team is essential. It could seem easy but when you leave school you are not really used to working in a team. As an apprentice there is, of course, a lot of things we don't know and by asking questions and chatting with our colleagues we can become more efficient.

Can you remember a particular piece of advice from a colleague that helped you develop?
I would be difficult to mention all the advice I received from UEFA staff, because they all helped me a lot during my entire apprenticeship. I was lucky to have great support from the apprentice manager, Victoria, who was always there to help me, and offer me precious advice.

Would you encourage other young people to follow in your steps, and if yes, why?
Definitely, yes! It is such a great opportunity to work in an environment like UEFA. You will have the chance to work at an international organisation in the sports industry, which is amazing for young people who want to discover the working world through their passion for football.