On Monday we will hear from one of our AASE athletes who will discuss his proudest moments, and tell us how undertaking an apprenticeship has helped him to develop his career and plan for his future.
Tuesday brings the first of our three webinars of the week. Featuring Craig Jones of Fit for Sport, we will be discussing the potential growth that apprenticeships bring to a business. Those who register to listen to the webinar can put questions to Craig and also hear firsthand from a former apprentice on how taking part in an apprenticeship has helped them
Webinar 1
Tuesday – Growth - 2:30pm - Fit for Sport
SkillsActive in partnership with Fit for Sport will be discussing the merits of apprenticeships and the growth potential they have on an organisation.
During the session you will hear from Fit for Sport's Operations Director, Craig Jones and a member of his team who has been through an apprenticeship programme.
The outcomes of the webinar are:
• How apprenticeships can help your business grow
• Professional representation of businesses through apprenticeships
• What apprenticeships can do for your employees.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about Apprenticeships to the Fit for Sport team.
We look forward to seeing you on Tuesday at 2:30pm.
Webinar 2
Wednesday – Choice 1:00pm - Toni & Guy
SkillsActive in partnership with Toni & Guy will be hosting a webinar, which will discuss apprenticeships and the choices they offer businesses within the Hairdressing industry.
During the session you will hear from Cathy Weston, Director of Apprenticeships at Toni & Guy. Cathy will give an overview of the importance and choice that apprenticeships offer in relation to one of the top hairdressing companies in the UK.
The outcomes of the webinar are:
• How apprenticeships offer businesses choice in the way they train staff
• Long term investment gained through apprenticeships
• Staff retention.
You will also have an opportunity to ask questions about apprenticeships to Cathy.
We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday at 1:00pm.
Webinar 3
Friday - Apprentice Deliver 2:30pm - PGL
SkillsActive in partnership with PGL will be hosting a webinar which will discuss apprenticeships and how they deliver.
During the session you will hear from Jo Mortimer Apprenticeship Programme Manager, PGL Travel.
Jo will outline positive impacts the apprenticeships have had on PGL, which is a market leading provider of activity courses and holidays.
The outcomes of the webinar are:
• How apprenticeships deliver for businesses
• Workforce productivity through training
• The benefits apprenticeships have to offer all involved.
You will also have an opportunity to put your questions about Apprenticeships to Jo.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday at 2:30pm.
The event celebrated the graduation of local apprentices who successfully completed an Advanced Level or Higher Apprenticeship this academic year. Each graduate received a commemorative certificate and enjoyed the level of prestige usually only associated with the achievement of a University degree.
Co-ordinated by York College, the National Apprenticeship Service and York Business Week, the ceremony was supported by the City of York Council and a number of leading training providers. More than 800 employers and 600 apprentices also attended the ceremony, adding kudos and grandeur to the occasion.
David Way, CBE, Chief Executive, National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), said: "Celebrating the success of completing an Apprenticeship in this way will raise the esteem of apprentices' achievement and help to further elevate the reputation of Apprenticeships."
In addition to his incredible success as an international athlete, Aaron McKibbin is also currently also working towards the completion of the Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE). This unique apprenticeship provides a structured training and development programme for talented young athletes aged 16-19 across a wide range of sports including football, swimming, table tennis, rugby and golf.
Aaron commented: "The AASE programme has helped me have a better understanding of sport which I can use in my practice and help me understand aspects of training, which means it's had a positive affect on my table tennis as well as my studies. The programme is flexible and the staff are all really understanding and supportive."
Following the success of the Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony in York it is hoped that similar events will take place across the UK to recognise the achievement of apprentices across the country. When the scheme was launched by the NAS in October 2012 at an event hosted by The Duke of York at Buckingham Palace, Universities Minister, David Willetts, said:
"Apprenticeships are at the heart of our drive to equip people of all ages with the skills they and employers need to prosper. An apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity and is a genuine alternative to going to university – we need to promote and celebrate it as such."
28/2/12
The scheme, part of the Youth Contract announced in Autumn 2011, allocates £126 million towards 55,000 teenagers in England with poor qualifications who are currently not in employment or education (NEET). It will invite bids for contracts worth up to £2,200 for each teenager who can be sustained in work, education or training for 12 months.
Suki Kalirai, interim CEO of SkillsActive, the skills council for the sport and active leisure sector, says: “The sport and active leisure sector is perfect for NEETs. Twenty-nine percent of the sector’s workforce is aged 16-24 and we offer highly attractive job roles that can help get many of the now 1 million unemployed 16 to 24 year olds off the dole queue.
“This latest initiative offers a much needed career lifeline and helps employers to source enthusiastic, skilled talent for their workforce. I urge employers in our sector to take up this opportunity to develop their workforce, reduce business costs and help alleviate the nation’s unemployment crisis, by taking on apprentices and using one of SkillsActive’s 13 different Apprenticeship frameworks.”
The number of apprentices in the sport and active leisure sector has increased 600% in the past five years; SkillsActive issued 9,342 Apprenticeship certificates in the year ending September 2011, up from 1,271 in 2006.
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.
To learn more about Apprenticeships in the sport and active leisure sector, and how your business can benefit, please visit www.skillsactive.com/takethelead
To hire a work ready, qualified Future Jobs Fund graduate please visit www.activegradates.com
21/2/12
Recruitment is now underway for positions on the year-long programme, which provides the opportunity for apprentices to gain nationally recognised qualifications whist working in a football related setting. Successful applicants will have the chance to be employed in one of the counties three high profile football organisations - Ipswich Town FC Needham Market FC, and Suffolk FA - in coaching, playing, administration or football development.
The FA’s Head of the National Game, Kelly Simmons, is delighted that football organisations across the landscape are working together in Suffolk to provide the opportunity for young people.
“We are really excited about this Apprenticeship programme because it uses the attraction of football to give many young people their vital first employment opportunity. Not only does it support them in developing long-term options within the football industry, but it reinforces the FAs commitment through the National Game Strategy to developing a strong club, league and administrative infrastructure within the grass roots community game.
“The FA are working closely with SkillsActive to ensure quality Apprenticeships are embedded across the game with strong commitments from all those interested in developing and nurturing the future talent of football coaching, refereeing and administration.”
The programme has already employed 40 apprentices since it was established in July 2011, including Elliot Jarrold, 16, from Needham Market. Elliot says: “I always wanted to work in sport but I wasn’t sure how to get started, until I heard about this Apprenticeship. I went along to the trial where I was tested on my technical ability, and I got in. Now I’m gaining the skills to be a football coach, improving my game and earning money. It’s great!”
The training is coordinated by Suffolk-based provider, WS Training. WS Training’s Head of Vocational Learning, Simon Page says: “We’re delighted to be helping deliver training to young people as part of this innovative scheme. This is a great example of how working together can bring about positive outcomes for a large group of young people who an interest in working in sport.”
Young People on the Apprenticeship programme will follow the frameworks designed by SkillsActive, in consultation with employers. The apprentices will gain nationally recognised qualifications such as an NVQ in Activity Leadership NVQ and FA Coaching Awards.
SkillsActive’s Head of National Partnerships, Stephen Mitchell, says: “More and more employers are turning to Apprenticeships as an effective way to recruit, develop and retain effective employees. SkillsActive is proud to be supporting the delivery of football Apprenticeships in Suffolk.”
For more information about the apprentice opportunities see http://www.wstraining.co.uk/apprenticeships-nvqs/football-apprenticeships
7/2/12
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
6/2/12
My name is Luke Allen, I'm 18 and I am an apprentice within the Stevenage Sporting Futures Team.
If I’m honest, after finishing sixth form an Apprenticeship never really crossed my mind. However, my old school sent me an email about a sporting Apprenticeship at Stevenage Sporting Futures Team. I have always enjoyed sports so without any hesitation I applied, as I knew it would be something I’d enjoy and be fully committed to.
In my first month of the Apprenticeship I completed a lot of training in different activities and sports, which would be beneficial when I went into schools in Stevenage. This training would also go towards many competitions that I would also go on to help out with, for example a TAG rugby tournament and a basketball tournament.
I was put into my “host school” during my first month. I am now based at the school four days a week, supporting with PE and taking clubs either during lunch times or after schools.
Since starting at the Stevenage Sporting Futures Team, I have set up basketball, lacrosse and football clubs at the school, alongside a member of staff. Long term, I’d love to get involved in primary education, as working with children and in schools is such a rewarding job in developing life skills and my confidence as a whole.
6/2/12
Stevenage Sporting Futures Team has been passionate about developing a home-grown coaching workforce ever since it was established as a Schools Sports Partnership in 2003.
We are based in a community which is renowned for low aspiration of our young people, and we believe we can make a difference to lives through our provision of Quality PE and school sport sessions.
In 2007, we started our Partnership Coach programme. We employ 18 year olds and provide them with a year of experience and qualifications. At the end of the programme, our recruits have more confidence and a better feel for the career pathways available to them in sport.
We decided to take the concept further last year after working with SkillsActive on the Future Jobs Fund programme. The experience opened our eyes to the possibility of transforming the Partnership Coach programme into a sporting Apprenticeship. We now have 12 pilot apprentices working at Stevenage, including one who we retained from the Future Jobs Fund programme.
We work with Sporting Futures Training cic, a training provider specialising in school-based, work-based learning to support our apprentices. Our team of experienced PE specialists and coaches provide our apprentices with in house training. They also undertake a Level 2 NVQ Activity Leadership and a level 2 NGB award. Working with people, life-skills, employability comes with the turf.
The increased workforce provided by Apprenticeships has had a great impact in our schools and community - improving participation and providing positive role models for our youngsters. Apprenticeships have also enabled us to have a club based apprentice at Stevenage Scorpians - a level 2 Coach who works developing basketball within the town.
We hope through Sporting Futures Training we can take the model to other areas, as the value for our apprentices and the young people who work with them is immense.
A Leeds student has his sporting career mapped out with his dream of competing at the 2016 Olympics becoming a real possibility, which he attributes to the inspirational guidance he has received from SkillsActive’s Advanced Level Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE).
Jack Bateson from Pool In Wharfedale, near Leeds has been boxing since he was 9 years old, encouraged by his Dad and Uncle who have been coaching the sport as far as he can remember. He recalls the day a letter arrived to invite him to apply for the AASE programme and never looked back, making the move from his new sixth form college to join Bradford College.
“The programme has helped me so much, I’m really sad to be leaving at the end of this year; I’ve had such a strong network of support. I have learned a huge amount about what it takes to reach the top and perform to the best of your ability, the coaching team have been fantastic.
“AASE has helped me to plan for the future and set my career plans, with short, medium and long term goals through to the 2016 Olympics.”
Created by SkillsActive and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, AASE is a sports performance programme for young talented athletes. It’s designed to directly measure an athlete’s ability to plan, apply and evaluate their development in the appropriate technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of their sport. It also addresses wider issues such as lifestyle, career development, communication and health and safety.
Jack enjoyed a unique trip to Tenerife through the AASE Boxing programme last August, training at high altitude with young boxers from all over the UK. They experienced firsthand a different training environment that opened his eyes to training in different ways, including running up mountains.
He is currently training in the England Youth squad and is looking forward to the second stage trials for the GB Senior Development squad that will be selected over the next few months. The GB squad will meet regularly in Sheffield with the ultimate goal of competing at the 2016 Olympics and beyond.
Alongside his career in boxing, Jack Bateson 17 explains that the AASE programme has helped him plan for a career as a PE teacher and he hopes to secure a place at University for the end of this year.
His advice for other young athletes considering a place on the AASE programme to boost their chances of a successful sporting career? Jack said, “I would definitely recommend the AASE programme to anyone, but it’s not an easy ride. It has helped me to juggle my boxing and education in the best possible way and realise that it is only hard work that gets you to the very top.”
Alex Nicholson, 17 from Cramlington and his Academy team mate Louis Storey, 18 from Walkerville are both in year two of the AASE programme combined with their respective NVQ and BTEC courses.
Created by SkillsActive and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, AASE is a sports performance programme for young talented athletes. It’s designed to directly measure an athlete’s ability to plan, apply and evaluate their development in the appropriate technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of their sport. It also addresses wider issues such as lifestyle, career development, communication and health and safety.
Like thousands of teenagers across the UK, they have dreamed since their childhood of playing in the Premiership but just talking to them for a few minutes it seems their hard work and 100% commitment to both their sport and education is about to pay off.
Alex joined Newcastle United at the age of 13, now in year two of his scholarship he has already played several times for Newcastle United Reserves. He describes the AASE programme as, “perfect for me, I’m getting paid to study, play and train to be the best I can be.
Alex adds; “There is so much to learn off the pitch and the course really made me think about my career goals and not just think about playing football as you never know what is around the corner.” Alex now plans to become a football coach or PE teacher in the future.
Louis has progressed from Sunday league and County football, to joining Newcastle United on a scholarship in July 2010 and has already seen big improvements to his game, thanks to the AASE course. He explains, “I have applied the conditioning training that we learned to my personal programme to boost my overall fitness and it has really helped. I feel much fitter playing now and my confidence is increasing all the time.”
A tailored education programme relevant to their sport, is very much key to the success of the AASE programme, as highlighted by Louis’ commitment to learning: “I am really motivated to reach a distinction in each of my BTEC units and I know the better my results, the more chance I have to go to University and continue my studies. The staff and tutors have taught us so many life skills and above all an appreciation that we cannot rely on football forever, they have instilled a love for learning in my approach to life. I have also enjoyed completing the Level 2 Coaching Award and can definitely see myself coaching one day.”
Jimmy Nelson, Manager of Education and Welfare at Newcastle United says, “The AASE course is a terrific deal for any young footballer, the programme of support is second to none. I would love to turn back the clock and be an apprentice now, there really is no comparison to Apprenticeships 30 years ago, education is core to their learning as a player and making them aware of their responsibilities.”
Max Coates, 18, from Scorton near Richmond is juggling his ‘A’ level studies with the second year of AASE at Loughborough College with his sights set on racing in the Ginetta G50 support class at the British Touring Car Championship this year.
Progressing to the next level demands significant sponsorship to fund the team to prepare the car effectively for each race and AASE has helped Max to achieve these sponsorship targets. He explains, “We hope to confirm later this week that we have secured the sponsorship we need to step up to the G50 Championship this year. It has been a long road with a huge family support team behind me, but we are almost there. The AASE programme has helped me understand the media and the importance of an increased profile including social media and how to secure sponsorship.”
He goes on to explain how the course has given him the tools to reach the pinnacle of his sport. “The programme has improved me as a driver, thanks to a real attention to detail in all aspects; my fitness, nutrition and preparation that I didn’t fully appreciate before and has given me a real focus.”
After two years in the Ginetta Junior Championship, Max is now targeting the British Touring Car Championship and then the World Level Touring Car Championship, inspired by Britain’s recent Formula One World Champions.
He says, “You can’t get two better role models for our sport than Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, they certainly give you added inspiration. AASE has really helped me to learn more about my sport and I really appreciate the small margins that can be the difference between winning and losing a race.
“I would love to be involved with managing a team or coaching drivers one day, next year I am planning to take a gap year to do some work experience in the mechanics of motorsport, technical skills are so important.
“Winning the Championship this year could be the launch pad to successful senior career for me. I know I have an amazing opportunity and just one chance to make it happen.”#
Created by SkillsActive and funded by the Skills Funding Agency, AASE is a sports performance programme for young talented athletes. It’s designed to directly measure an athlete’s ability to plan, apply and evaluate their development in the appropriate technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of their sport. It also addresses wider issues such as lifestyle, career development, communication and health and safety.
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