SkillsActive Wales is proud to announce that it has secured funding for a range of programmes in sport, fitness and playwork.

SkillsActive Wales has agreed a mutual programme of work with Sport Wales which will enable the delivery of an extensive programme over the coming year. SkillsActive Wales is also happy to have secured funding from the Welsh Government Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) to develop innovative learning and teaching materials for the level 3 Playwork Principles into Practice (P3) qualification.

The investment from Sport Wales will have a positive impact on the delivery of the SkillsActive Wales Business Plan 2012-13 and will ensure the full involvement of Welsh employers across the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being sector.

The Sport Wales funding will go towards a number of initiatives which SkillsActive Wales has already begun to implement. These include:

• The production of an Annual State of the Industry Report for Wales, exploring sector specific gaps and shortages

• The development of a Single Qualification Framework, produced and agreed with key stakeholders in Wales

• An increase in REPs Wales members from 1000 to 1100, plus a 10% increase in the number of Welsh employers registering with REPs and a 5% increase in the number of instructors holding a level 3 qualification

• Promoting the importance of Active Passports across the sector.

In relation to the Sport Wales investment, SkillsActive Manager Richard Tobutt commented:

"SkillsActive Wales has maintained a healthy working relationship with Sport Wales for around 10 years. The activities agreed as part of this programme will positively impact on both the Sport Wales Vision for Sport, and particularly the 'skilled and passionate workforce strand', and the strategic context outlined in the Welsh Government 'Creating an Active Wales' document."

The Welsh Government Sector Priorities Fund Pilot also secured by SkillsActive Wales will massively assist playwork training delivery across Wales, by ensuring that the workforce is adequately skilled, trained and possesses the correct resources.

The project aims to develop and finalise bilingual learning and teaching materials for the recently developed Level 3 qualification entitled 'Playwork Principles into Practice' (P3).

The funding will allow SkillsActive Wales to lead the development of a full suite of resources for the Award, Certificate and Diploma which will promote high quality learning. Trainers currently delivering level 2 Playwork qualifications will also be upskilled, allowing them to progress the wide scale delivery of level 3 across Wales.

Concerning playwork funding, SkillsActive Technical Manager, Home Countries, Debbie Willets comments:

"The Children and Families (Wales) Measure places a duty on each local authority to provide sufficient play opportunities for children and young people and will increase the demand for qualifications within the playwork sector. Therefore, this project will have a positive impact on this strategic development and will go some of the way to address the skills shortages that exist across Wales."

Playwork qualification delivery is in its infancy in Wales, therefore the production of these resources will have a positive impact on the development of the playwork infrastructure. Ultimately, learners will benefit from these developments and will be able to further develop their playwork skills.

The investments will bring a whole range of benefits to the sport, fitness and playwork sectors in Wales, benefitting both the workforce and the general public.

15/3/12

A disability sports volunteer has become the 10,000th Londoner to get qualified through the Mayor’s Sport’s Legacy Fund, which is managed by SkillsActive, helping ensure a grass roots sporting legacy from the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Jaspaul Vilkhu, 30 (pictured), applied for the programme, which provides up to 75% off training for London sport and leisure volunteers, after learning about the opportunity through the UK’s leading disability sports coaching company, Disability Sports Coach, where he volunteers helping deliver sports to disabled people like himself.

Jaspaul used the 75% subsidy to complete his Boccia Leaders Award. The one day course enabled him to step up his responsibilities and assist other, more qualified coaches in delivering boccia coaching sessions to players of all ages and abilities.

Jaspaul says: “I’m really honoured to be the 10,000th Londoner to qualify through the Mayor’s Sport’s Legacy Fund. I’ve played boccia for three years but I enjoy being a leader and wanted to learn how to coach the sport.

“Thanks to the training, I now feel more confident going into different settings and coaching disabled participants for Disability Sports Coach and the other organisations I work for. I love seeing the smile on people’s faces when they get involved in sport. I’d like to keep gaining new skills and, eventually, find a paid job in sports.”

Managed by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, the Fund is part of the Mayor's plan ‘A sporting future for London’. The plan ensures Londoners benefit from a genuine grass roots sporting legacy from the 2012 Games, by encouraging more people to become active and strengthen community sport facilities.

Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund project manager Katie Couchman says: “The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund has created a pathway into coaching and volunteering in amateur sport that would not otherwise be there. London communities will benefit from this programme for years to come.”

Disability Sports Coach founder Peter Ackred says: “Funding training for staff and volunteers can be a challenge, especially in the current financial climate.  Thanks to Mayor’s Legacy, we’ve upskilled 30 sports coaches, which is a huge boost for us and our clients.

“Each day, we deliver sport coaching services to people with disabilities all across London, some of whom we think will have a real chance of competing at future Paralympics. Through our work, the Fund is helping deliver a legacy at grassroots and elite sporting level. We’re really proud to be associated with this fantastic project.”

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “It is spot on that these extraordinary, selfless Londoners are being recognised for their contributions through volunteering in our capital.  The commitment to helping those most in need should be an example to us all.  Being able to recognise the 10,000th person to qualify through the Mayor’s Sport’s Legacy Fund is a wonderful milestone.  Congraulations to all who grabbed this unique opportunity for funded training and are playing their part in the Games Legacy.”

Londoners can receive up to 75% off the cost of nationally recognised qualifications in areas such as coaching and officiating, community sport, volunteering, leisure and health, in exchange for volunteering hours.

To find out more about the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund and the range of discounted training on offer please visit www.skillsactive.com/mayorslegacy

29/2/12

SkillsActive, the sector skills council for sport and active leisure, is urging employers to take up a new opportunity to access match funding for training programmes. 

The programme, delivered by Sussex Downs College, in partnership with the FIA, SkillsActive, and the Sport and Fitness Employers Group (SAFE), will teach professionals to learn behavioural change techniques and how to motivate inactive audiences.

Many employers have already signed up to be part of the Joint Investment Programme (JIP) and with 1,300 fitness professionals set to benefit, more businesses have the opportunity to be part of the programme to up-skill the sector.

The programme offers employers (and those who are self-employed) match funding on the following courses:

•        L2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement

•        L3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Older Adults

•        L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Older Adults

•        L2 Award in Community Activation

•        L3 Unit - Enabling Individuals to Change Behaviour and Improve Health and Well-being while working as a Health Trainer

•        L3 Unit - Customer Service in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

•        L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Ante and Post Natal Participants

•        L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for People with Disabilities

•        L4 Certificate for the management of lower back pain

David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: “Through this programme, employers will support us to up-skill over 1,300 fitness professionals to be able to introduce a currently inactive audience to physical activity, helping us achieve a more active nation”.

Suki Kalarai, SkillsActive’s CEO said: “This is a great opportunity for employers to ensure their staff are completely up-to-date with their training without breaking the bank. In these straitened economic times training budgets can often be the first thing to be cut so we’re especially pleased to be able help ensure those working in the fitness industry carry on learning.”

Liz Kemp, Project Delivery Coordinator at Sussex Downs College said: “Sussex Downs College is delighted to be working with the FIA and SkillsActive on such a challenging, high profile national project supporting leisure and fitness employers. We are looking forward to, not only managing the network of high quality training providers that will be delivering the qualifications, but also being part of the main steering group and monitoring the impact the project has on improving the physical activity of the nation.”

Employers and self-employed fitness professionals can register their interest by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

For more information on the programme visit www.skillsactive.com/jip

Follow the programme on Twitter #SkillsFit

 7/2/12

The number of apprentices in the sport and active leisure sector has increased 600% in the past five years, according to statistics released in time for England’s National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February).

SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Sport and Active Leisure, issued 9,342 Apprenticeship certificates in the year ending September 2011- up from 1,271 in 2006.

SkillsActive interim CEO Suki Kalirai says the figures show more employers in sport, fitness, caravans, playwork and the outdoors are realising the value of Apprenticeships.

“By using Apprenticeships to train new and existing staff, these employers are reducing business costs, investing in their future workforce and helping alleviate the nation’s unemployment crisis.”

Fit for Sport training manager Jack Shakespeare says 15% of the organisation’s 70 permanent staff train through Apprenticeship programmes; by 2013, he expects that figure to reach 50 per cent.

“Apprenticeships are, in our experience, the most successful way to recruit, develop and retain effective employees,” Jack says. “We are using Apprenticeship programmes to build a well-trained, motivated and loyal workforce which will help us grow and develop our business.”

Outdoor education provider PGL has 180 apprentices across its operations in the UK and France.

PGL Apprenticeship programme manager, Jo Mortimer says: “Apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to provide staff who may not have travelled the academic route with the skills and qualifications we require. Many of our apprentices have developed their management skills and gone on to work at higher levels within the business.”

Apprenticeships are a package of on-the-job training and qualifications which take between one and four years to complete. There are 13 Apprenticeship frameworks available in the sport and active leisure sector in England, covering job roles as diverse as activity leadership, playwork and spectator safety. SkillsActive has designed each framework in consultation with sector employers, to ensure they provide the skills businesses need.

Suki explains that Apprenticeship programmes are not just suited to large employers; small and medium sized businesses now have the opportunity to access funded training through SkillsActive’s Group Training Association.

“Our Group Training Association enables employers running small to medium enterprises to group together and access funded training that would otherwise be out of their reach. This training is delivered through SkillsActive’s network of approved National Skills Academy training providers.

“I encourage all employers, whatever their size, to talk to one of our account managers about how Apprenticeships could work for them.”

To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2012, SkillsActive is offering a FREE training package to the first 25 employers to register their interest in Apprenticeship funding on our website.

To learn more about Apprenticeships in the sport and active leisure sector, and how your business can benefit, please visit www.skillsactive.com/takethelead

Ian Perkins, once a gang member at a very young age, knows only too well the tragedy of taking the wrong path in life and losing friends due to crime and unrest.

Looking for a second chance in life and to prove the people who once doubted him wrong, Ian’s determination and will to succeed led him to Lifetime. Enrolling into the Lifetime Fitness Academy and with the support of tutor Mark Pemberton, Ian successfully completed his Level 2 Fitness Instructor Apprenticeship; not only could Ian earn while he learned, but he was able to gain ‘on the job’ skills and a true understanding of the industry.

Ian says: “I have turned my life around, influenced people and shown never to give up on anyone. In the space of just 20 months I have come from “just an apprentice” to becoming the youngest ever Health and Fitness Manager of the largest Fitness First club in Europe. I have received two awards from my employer on consecutive months, which has never been achieved by anyone in the company. I always aimed high from the very start and never gave up on that goal.”

A bright future awaits Ian; he now teaches ‘PT Business’ courses and has worked hard to establish himself in the fitness industry. “Eventually I want to have a say in how the industry is run. I feel that my passion behind health and fitness can influence change; my ambition is to aim high!”

Fitness First Cluster Manager Simon Latham says: “Fitness First is committed to supporting the continued professional development of all our staff towards performance excellence and as our training provider we are delighted that Lifetime is recognising the achievements of these people through the Lifetime Learner Achievement Awards.

“We are extremely proud that from a difficult place in his life, Ian has demonstrated how much someone can achieve with hard work and dedication. Not only that, but that he is also now helping others to achieve. From a new start with the Lifetime Fitness Academy, through to his recent achievements, his is a story to be celebrated and we hope to use it to inspire others within the Fitness First team and we will continue to support anyone that has the development of others at heart.”

To find out more about Apprenticeships in the sport and active leisure sector please see Apprenticeships