SkillsActive - 10/10/11
SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active leisure and learning, has secured more than £450,000 to establish England’s first ever Group Training Association (GTA) for the sector.
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills Dr. Vince Cable announced the news as part of his keynote address to the WorldSkills Leaders Forum Programme at London’s Excel on 6 October 2011.
The GTA will enable employers running small to medium enterprises to shape and sustainably invest in their own training delivery. It will principally encourage businesses to take on more new staff as apprentices as well as training their existing workforce by mapping a clear pathway for training and employment. The GTA will be implemented through SkillsActive’s network of approved National Skills Academy training providers.
The money comes from the Government’s Best Market Solutions strand of the Growth and Innovation Fund, which is managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
Dr Cable said: “The Growth and Innovation Fund, worth up to £50 million annually, will provide concentrated seed funding for employer-led projects that attract further co-financing from business. I can confirm today that projects are now in place for a range of sectors, following a first round of applications to the Fund. In this first wave we’ll be injecting over £10million alongside investment from employers.”
SkillsActive has also been the only successful applicant to the second strand of the Growth and Innovation Fund, which will see the delivery of a Joint Investment Programme. This will see £500,000 of match funding from Government to deliver specific training and qualifications to meet skill gaps in the leisure/fitness and playwork sectors.
SkillsActive Chief Executive Officer Stephen Studd explained: “This is a massive vote of confidence from the Government for the sport and active leisure sector and the businesses that work within it. Small and medium sized enterprises make up 99% of our sector. The funding will help SkillsActive offer these employers a vehicle for ensuring they can access top quality, cost effective training to develop their business.
“This bid, along with our successful bid JIP funding, indicates real progress in our mission to make the sector one that is worthy of increased public investment. I have no doubt the sector will rise to the challenge and we look forward to establishing the GTA, delivering these programmes and professionalising the workforce.”
Also addressing WorldSkills, Skills Minister John Hayes added: “We know that business is best qualified to identify how skills can drive growth. This investment will help employers develop their own solutions to the barriers that stand in the way of opportunity.”
Businesses will be able to join national and regional employer membership groups, enabling them to join forces and bulk-buy training and resources.
The first membership group is expected to be in place by early 2012. Up to 2,000 employers are expected to sign-up to the GTA by March 2013.
SkillsActive can help you reduce your costs and train more people by identifying which of your staff could be eligible for funded training. The Funding Eligibility Service is a simple, effective way to improve your business performance by making the most of available funding.
Key features include:
The Funding Eligibility Service involves staff completing a simple online form which has been designed to enable all employers, regardless of size or location, to identify who in their organisation can receive funding for undertaking a qualification. Eligibility is based on age and existing qualifications** – information that our form can help you find with very little extra effort.
The Service includes analysis of the level of funded training each of your staff members can access and support to organise this training through one of our approved training providers, so that your organisation does not spend unnecessary time on administration.
Register your interest in accessing funding for your staff >
This funding is drawn down through Apprenticeship programmes, but this does not limit the training your staff can receive. Qualifications within this could include optional units covering skills such as customer service, business administration and team leading, as well as more focused areas including training as a Fitness Instructor, Coach or Personal Trainer.
The budget for the 2011/12 academic year has increased by £72m to over £1,400m of funding for Apprenticeships – discover if this could be relevant to your staff.
Unsure how an apprentice could fit into your business?
Read more about Apprenticeships and how they can benefit organisations >
SkillsActive will help you understand which Apprenticeship options are best for your business and record your choices. We work to combine the choices of many different organisations so that we can get your staff’s funded training started as soon as possible with an approved training provider.
The Funding Eligibility Service is a feature of the support packages available to SkillsActive employer partners.
Discover more about the support packages available >
The Funding Eligibility Service is also a key benefit of working with SkillsActive’s Group Training Association (GTA) networks.
Discover more about SkillsActive’s Group Training Association >
Do you understand what an Apprenticeship entails?
Read more about the benefits of Apprenticeships for employers >
Please note: This service is free to SkillsActive employer partners and members of our Group Training Association (GTA) networks – our account managers can tell you more about how SkillsActive can support your business and the benefits of working with us.
*Regional programmes and bursaries are occasionally available; however, the Apprenticeship framework is one of the main ways for individuals to draw down funding for training.
** Eligibility is based upon a number of criteria that relate to an individual’s residency, age and prior qualifications. They also need to work at least 16 hours a week in a relevant job role and be paid the national minimum wage for apprentices. Read more facts about Apprenticeships.
Get Qualified North West offers you 60% off a range of qualifications in Heath & Fitness and the Outdoors to a maximum of £200 for Level 2 and £300 for Level 3.
Perhaps you want to be a fitness instructor or personal trainer? Maybe you already are and want to specialise in training special populations?
Would you like to be qualified to lead sailing or climbing sessions? Maybe you're already an instructor and want to advance your skills.
1. Check your eligibility
You must be 19 or over and work or volunteer in the Heath & Fitness* and the Outdoors and live/work in the North West region
2. Book and pay for your course with our providers.
3. Apply at www.getqualifiednw.org.uk
You need to book on your course first before you apply for funding
4. Attend your course and get your paperwork signed.
5. On successful completion of your course send back your paperwork and a photocopy of your certificate and you will receive your reimbursement.
We can't issue reimbursement for individuals who don't pass the course.
To find out more contact Andrew Watkins at 07590 439 535 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
* volunteers not eligible in health and fitness
Apprentices will get to develop skills in facility operations and promoting sport and active leisure activities in the community with an NVQ in Leisure Centre Operations which is available at Level 2
This qualification covers essential areas like health and safety and teamwork. Apprentices can also demonstrate the skills that matter to their specific role, anything from customer care to swimming pool maintenance.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those responsible for facility operations in the sports and recreation industry or promoting sport and active leisure activities in the community. You do not need any prior qualifications to take this NVQ.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices will be able to understand the ability to protect spectators' safety and welfare with an NVQ in Spectator Control which is available at Level 2.
This qualification covers areas like teamwork, managing conflict, dealing with emergencies and controlling the entry, exit and movement of people at spectator events.
Achieving the Level 2 NVQ in Spectator Control fulfils the regulations and requirements for stewarding set out by government in the Green Guide - Guide for Safety at Sports Grounds.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those working as stewards or in other crowd control-related roles at sports events, concerts, carnivals, or other spectator events.
You do not need any prior qualifications to take this NVQ.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices will get mandatory skills through working with children and young people with an NVQ in Playwork which is available in Level 2 and 3
Apprentices will get to expand their skills as a playworkers, they will learn how to become more team focused and develop their role as a supervisor.
Who are they for?
An NVQ in Playwork is for anyone working in the playwork sector. This could be in a crèche, after school club or holiday play club.*
*Please note if an apprentice starts at NVQ Level 2 they will have the opportunity to progress to NVQ Level 3.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices will get recognised skills in Coaching, Teaching and Instructing through with an NVQ in Coaching which is available at Level 2 and 3.
This qualification covers essential areas like helping participants improve their performance, the planning, delivery and review of coaching sessions and dealing with accidents and emergencies.
Who are they for?
The NVQ in Coaching, Teaching and Instructing is for anyone working or volunteering as a coach. Apprentices don't need any prior qualifications to take this NVQ.*
*Please note if an apprentice starts at NVQ Level 2 they will have the opportunity to progress to NVQ Level 3.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices can continue to develop skills in management within leisure with an NVQ in Leisure Management which is available at Level 3.
This qualification covers essential areas like leadership, health and safety, project management, promoting equality and diversity, selling products and services, customer service and managing your own development.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those working in supervisory roles in an organisation such as a gym, swimming pool, leisure centre, community sports facility, caravan park or holiday park.
You do not need any prior qualifications to take this NVQ.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices will gain the ability to lead fitness programmes as well as motivate clients with an NVQ in Instructing physical activity and exercise which is available at Level 3.
This qualification covers providing and reviewing physical activity programmes, as well as motivating and supporting clients.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those working in instruct yoga, pilates, gym-based activities or group exercise. Apprentices should be at an advanced level, planning and delivering sessions without direct supervision.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
Apprentices can build skills in supervising and leading outdoor activities with an NVQ in Outdoor Programmes which is available at Level 3.
This qualification covers key areas such as organising people and resources, good working relationships, conservation and health and safety of both customers and colleagues.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those who lead or supervise outdoor programmes for education, recreation or development training.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.
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