Employment minister Jim Knight announced the launch of the initiative at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge stadium alongside Richard Scudamore, chief executive of the Premier League.
The football clubs will work with the Premier League, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local employers to give jobseekers the skills and abilities they need to find work, while improving their fitness levels and football skills.
Knight said: "We are giving everyone the support they need to find work, and programmes like Premier League into Work will help us reach that goal. The project uses football coaching and wider training courses to develop skills and boost confidence which are vital to help people prepare for the workplace.
"Premier League into Work is a unique opportunity for jobseekers to improve their self-esteem, work skills and fitness levels. People on the course will work closely with football clubs and local employers to improve their chances of finding a job."
Chelsea Football Club manager Carlo Ancelotti added: "I have seen first hand the huge amount of work that the club does in communities all over London, improving the lives of thousands of people. Chelsea is helping to give unemployed people the support they need to get back on their feet and find work again and it’s great to see the launch of the Premier League into Work project here at Chelsea."
Scudamore said: "Premier League into Work shows yet again the unique opportunity that football clubs have to make a positive impact on people’s lives.
"Our clubs have a deservedly strong reputation for the quality of schemes they deliver in the communities around them. As part of our wider Creating Chances programme, they are already helping improve people’s health, better young people’s education and even tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.
"Football is an incredibly powerful vehicle and can make a real difference. Through Premier League into Work, clubs will now also assist hundreds of unemployed people gain the skills, experience and confidence they need to get themselves a job."
Premier League into Work is funded by the DWP and The New Football Pools, for the Premier League.
