Welcome to the new format SkillsActive monthly ezine.

In this edition as well as updates on the latest news and policy developments for active leisure you will find out about our major upcoming national conferences in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and how to book your place.

Kind regards,
The SkillsActive Team

Inspiring the Leisure Workforce in Scotland Conference
1st May - Westerwood Hotel, Cumbernauld

Book your place now for the national Scottish conference and learn about inspirational leadership and gain insight from the industry on management, good practice and management tools.

To contact Pam Scott or read more click here

A Skilled Workforce: Delivering 'One Wales' Conference
8th May - Liberty Stadium, Swansea

If you work in active leisure and sport don't miss your opportunity to network with key people in the industry and the chance to learn more about the major policy decisions that will influence the industry in Wales in the coming years.

To read more and book your place click here

Coming Up: Our 3rd annual conference with CLOA
12th June - Recruiting and Retaining Leisure Centre Staff

Get in early and book your place at our third joint annual conference held with the Chief Leisure Officers' Association, at Stranmillis University, Northern Ireland.

click here to find out more.

Shaping the Way Ahead: Informal Adult Learning

The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills recently published a consultation to help inform a policy paper for informal adult learning 2009-2020 and now wants the sport sector to respond.

click here to read the full story.

The role of County Sports Partnerships in the regions

We look at the role of County Sports Partnerships (CSPs) in each of the nine English regions and their work to improve the skills of the workforce and in turn increase the region's participation in Sport.

click here for the full article

Launch of the activepassport for Playwork

At the annual Playwork conference, this year we saw the launch of the new Activepassport for Playwork. Passports have a wide range of benefits for both employees and employers in the industry, ensuring individuals have a transferrable record of skills with mobility across the children's workforce and that employers can offer quality play provision through highly motivated, supported and committed staff.

To find out about the passports click here

£2000 bursary for coaches and activity leaders in active leisure and learning

The Nancy Ovens Bursary is open to anyone working in sport, fitness, the outdoors, playwork and the caravan industry....giving people the opportunity to exploit the wealth of learning opportunities from within, or even outside their sector! Applications are fierce and to deal with the onslaught SkillsActive has extend the application deadline to XXX April

click here to read more and apply