British Water Ski & Wakeboard is the National Governing Body for water skiing and wakeboarding in Great Britain and, as such, is responsible for developing the sport throughout Britain from grassroots level to elite for its 10,000 + members.
National Development Officer Rachel Tallon says the NGB is a strong advocate of providing CPD for staff, but recording and verifying this can be a challenge. It was therefore quick to join the trial for SkillsActive’s activepassport, a verified online record of an individual's training, qualifications and personal and professional achievements, when approached in mid-2011.
Rachel says: “The activepassport appealed to us because it gives individuals the power to log their qualifications, and coaching and volunteering hours, and communicate them to us quickly and efficiently.”
The NGB trialled the technology with 11 coaches; they were provided with an activepassport to log their new and exiting qualifications and coaching hours after successfully completing their level 2 coaching qualification. The NGB was so impressed with the technology that, following the trial, it incorporated the activepassport into its volunteer recognition scheme.
“Volunteers can be hard to attract and retain so offering something like this to record their volunteering hours is a huge benefit, and will be useful to them in their other careers as well.”
It is also considering extending the activepassport for officials, who are required to demonstrate they have officiated at a certain number of events to maintain their qualifications.
In future, Rachel hopes to use the technology to report on British Water Ski & Wakeboard’s Sport England volunteering targets.
“The main benefit I see is being able to use the activepassport to demonstrate to partners and funding bodies like Sport England and the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund that our coaches have completed the required number of volunteering hours, and the evidence is easily accessed online - not filed away in someone’s attic!”
20/4/12
In early 2011, the British Judo Association approached SkillsActive requesting help with the development of its new Judofit programme. SkillsActive is funded by Sport England to support national governing bodies of sport to deliver the workforce development commitments in their current plans.
British Judo Association Development Director Mark Beecher says: “Judofit uses the core training principles of the Olympic sport of Judo to provide a fun and exciting fitness class that tones and strengthen the entire body.”
SkillsActive worked with the NGB throughout 2011 to help design the course and compile all the necessary evidence for the SkillsActive endorsement application, including policies and procedures and tutor and learner resources.
SkillsActive endorsement ensures the quality of the course and its relevance to the sector. It also provides learners with Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) recognised CPD points. All REPs instructors have to log a total of 24 CPD points over a two year period to maintain their membership.
Mark says: “In October 2011, SkillsActive approved our course first time, allocating it the maximum REPs CPD points available, which is a fantastic result. This means instructors can now learn to deliver the programme by attending a one day course with the British Judo Association, and also accrue eight CPD points towards the 24 they need to stay on the Register.”
Intelligent Training Systems Ltd, which provides evidence-based education, design and consultancy services, began working with SkillsActive to strengthen its training provision in 2007.
CEO Martin Haines says: “SkillsActive endorsement was important to us because we don't fit in a currently defined educational mould. The process ensures we met the industry criteria needed for endorsement while retaining our own unique information.”
SkillsActive’s strategic lead for endorsement recommended Intelligent Training Systems Ltd apply for a course training provider licence for its Level 2 and 3 training CPD courses to demonstrate the quality of its provision to learners and employers and increase its customer base.
The license enables training providers to offer unlimited endorsed courses for up to two years without having to submit each individual course for evaluation every time. Training providers are also included on the REPs list of approved training providers, which is viewed REPs’ 28,000 members, as well as quality assurance support and key market information to improve delivery.
Martin says: “The process was simple. From the initial submission document through to the evaluation visit, everything was well laid out and we knew exactly what we needed to do at each stage and our course was approved first time.”
Intelligent Training Systems Ltd also submitted and had approved a Level 4 course (Level 4 Award in Lower Back Pain) for endorsement. An independent panel evaluates these courses using criteria clearly outlined on the SkillsActive website.
Martin says endorsement gives the company a competitive edge over other providers in the fitness sector.
“Endorsement gives us credibility. Students can attend our courses knowing that they are attending a course that has been subject to a vigorous quality process and, as the criteria becomes standardised internationally, it will help us save costs registering our courses in new territories.
“Becoming endorsed is important for the fitness industry because, as educators, we shape the future of the industry. We need to have our courses continually assessed to be confident we’re taking the industry forward with evidence based practice.
“Endorsement will help you sell your course and improve it.”
SkillsActive now has ready made templates to support new organisations looking to gain endorsement. To find out more about how endorsement can improve your training provision visit www.skillsactive.com/endorsement or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
19/4/12
Intelligent Training Systems Ltd, which provides evidence-based education, design and consultancy services, began working with SkillsActive to strengthen its training provision in 2007.
CEO Martin Haines says: “SkillsActive endorsement was important to us because we don't fit in a currently defined educational mould. The process ensures we met the industry criteria needed for endorsement while retaining our own unique information.”
SkillsActive’s strategic lead for endorsement recommended Intelligent Training Systems Ltd apply for a course training provider licence for its Level 2 and 3 training CPD courses to demonstrate the quality of its provision to learners and employers and increase its customer base.
The license enables training providers to offer unlimited endorsed courses for up to two years without having to submit each individual course for evaluation every time. Training providers are also included on the REPs list of approved training providers, which is viewed REPs’ 28,000 members, as well as quality assurance support and key market information to improve delivery.
12/4/12
Highlights include:
2/3/12
Life Fitness, which manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment, is the latest fitness equipment supplier in the UK to be granted a license from SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active leisure, learning and wellbeing. This enables Life Fitness to not only deliver but actually create new, accredited CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses and workshops to customers and trainers.
SkillsActive endorsement officer for fitness Claire Darlow says: “We are really delighted to see fitness suppliers like Life Fitness branching into the training market and sharing their expertise and training research. It’s a great vote of confidence that Life Fitness see the value of the SkillsActive training provider licence for endorsement after recently gaining approval for the full course licence, and we look forward to working more closely with them.”
Life Fitness Education Solutions Manager EMEA Nick Mennell says: “We are thrilled to now have our own CPD license as this means that we can really cater for the wants and needs of our customers, providing the best training solution for their business.”
SkillsActive's training provider licence enables providers to offer unlimited endorsed courses for up to two years. It is ideal for training providers that want to develop and deliver multiple training courses, which are recognised as endorsed training for CPD, without having to submit each individual course for evaluation every time.
SkillsActive now has ready made templates to support new organisations looking to gain endorsement, a valuable resource that can strengthen delivery, and help develop or maintain a strong brand. To find out more about fitness endorsement please see Fitness Endorsement or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Source: Life Fitness
The E18HTEEN project, named after the shirt number of Tottenham Hotspur striker and E18HTEEN ambassador Jermain Defoe, aims to get 160 16-19 year old Londoners who are living in care or are care leavers back into education, employment or training by July 2013.
Delivered by the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation in partnership with the Greater London Authority and virtual schools of children in care in Barnet, Enfield, Haringey and Waltham Forest, the project provides participants with one on one mentoring as well as access to18 sport and physical activities, 18 training and education opportunities and 18 hours of volunteering as part of an individually tailored personal development plan.
E18HTEEN project manager Alex White says the mentors are key to the project’s success; the mentors know the local communities and have experience in youth engagement and coaching.
“The mentor’s role is to build a relationship with these young people, who are often disengaged with society, and work with them on an individual development plan incorporating their ideas, goals and aspirations, “Alex says.
“They also support them on that path and signpost them to work, education and training opportunities in their local community.”
Wanting to provide his mentors with the best possible skills to support participants at minimal cost, Alex contacted the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. The Fund, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, provides up to 75% off the cost of training to increase the number of Londoners working and volunteering in the sports sector.
In September 2011, eight E18HTEEN mentors completed accredited Training 4 Mentors training with Shine People and Places thanks to support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund. They learned the essentials of mentoring including effective listening and questioning techniques, mentoring models, and appropriate mentoring and learning styles.
Alex says the full day course was “incredibly useful”. “I’m confident our mentors now have the best possible skills to support their mentees. The subsidy also means our training budget will go further and we can direct more money to providing opportunities for these young people.”
Katie Couchman, Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund project manager, says: “I’m delighted we could help equip the E18HTEEN mentors with the right skills to be confident, competent role models for these young people.”
Grant Cornwell, Chief Executive Officer at Tottenham Hotspur Foundation says: “E18HTEEN is one of many programmes the Foundation delivers that inspires young people and adults to take positive steps to fulfil their potential. We are extremely grateful for the support of the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund in providing our staff with the tools required to successfully engage those most at risk in the local community.”
Jermain Defoe, E18HTEEN Ambassador says: “As project ambassador, it is hugely rewarding to see the positive impact that E18HTEEN has on the young people from the local area. The support from the Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund has not only helped up-skill the brilliant team of mentors but has channeled funds back to those who need it most.”
About the E18HTEEN project:
The E18HTEEN project involves Tottenham Hotspur and England striker Jermain Defoe as an active ambassador, positive role model and mentor over a two year period to 160 young people aged 16 – 19 years who are either in care or are care leavers.
Each young person involved has been identified to participate in the programme by Local Authority ‘Virtual Schools of Children in Care’, with the objective of keeping them in or getting them back into training, education and employment and ultimately preparing them for independence and adulthood. The programme offers an individually tailored learning and development programme with free access to 18 separate training and life skill workshops and 18 different sports.
Why the E18HTEEN project is needed:
27/3/12
The UK Commission for Employment and Skills has appointed SkillsActive, in partnership with Lantra, HABIA, People 1st, Improve and GoSkills.
They have been funded to deliver National Occupational Standards, Apprenticeships and Modern Apprenticeship frameworks, and qualification related products for three years starting 1st April 2012.
SkillsActive acting CEO Suki Kalirai says: “National occupational standards, qualifications and Apprenticeships are key products for developing a better skilled, better qualified workforce. This funding will provide the quality skills system the sector needs to achieve its objectives.”
SkillsActive achieved funding for three out of four of its national occupational standards projects, including:
SkillsActive has also achieved funding for Apprenticeships, with a special focus on coaching in Wales and achieving excellence in sports performance in Scotland.
The announcement on the level of funding for qualifications work is still pending.
27/3/12
SkillsActive, the sector skills council for sport and active leisure, developed the Change Gear programme to offer career transition support to those leaving the Armed Services and veterans - ensuring they are empowered to make informed decisions about the opportunities available to them in the sport, fitness, outdoors, playwork, health & beauty and caravans industries.
Ex Armed Services members and Future Jobs Funds participants attended the event on 8 March to find out more about the range of careers on offer in the sport and leisure sector, and what skills, qualifications and training they needed to achieve their ideal role.
Leading training providers and employers such as Premier Sport, Fit for Sport, Curves, YMCAFit, Future Fit, Aspire, Babcock and G4S were on hand to offer attendees advice and guidance on training and employment opportunities. The event also featured seminars on all of our sub sectors as well as a range of showcase sports activities for people to try out.
A career in sport and active leisure is well suited to those who have led active and challenging lives. With over 200 different job roles available, our sector has massive potential for growth and career development and therefore offers a wealth of opportunity for those entering it.
SkillsActive -14/3/12
Let the Fame Begin, organised by Teenage Rampage, uses the values of the Olympic Games - excellence, friendship and respect - to bring together talented young sportspeople and musicians from the south west.
The Project will be launched at the Torch Relay event in Bristol city centre on May 22. Young people will perform at the event and will also have the opportunity to network and discuss the similarities between pursing excellence and carving out a career in the highly competitive fields of sport and music.
SkillsActive’s head of partnerships Stephen Mitchell says: “SkillsActive is proud to support this hugely exciting project, bringing together talented young people from sports and music to share challenges, experience and inspiration in the lead up to the 2012 Games.”
Teenage Rampage is looking for a special musician or band aged between 13 and 19 years old from anywhere in the South West to perform on the main stage of the Bristol Torch Relay event.
The successful applicant will get to join a great line-up of acts on the main stage, work with a music industry mentor, record a track of their choice in a professional studio, and be part of the Teenage Rampage select network of young bands and musicians.
Teenage Rampage is also looking for a select number of young people aged between 13 and 19 to help run the event, working in areas such as stage management, lighting, web design and marketing.
Applications close on 12 April 2012. For more information please visit www.teenagerampage.co.uk
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