The SkillsActive Board has a simple ambition, for Active Leisure, Learning and Well being to be regarded as a priority sector by the UK governments. It has a vision of a simple and single skills system built around a single qualifications framework that is employer led.
Employers are looking to invite Awarding Organisations to demonstrate their commitment to offer qualifications for the sector that continue to meet industry needs by signing this document and then providing an annual, written statement of their commitments and submitting it to SkillsActive for distribution to the sector.
The commitment
Awarding Organisations will demonstrate their commitment to the sector by:
- being responsive to industry expectations that are set out in agreed sub sector qualification strategies
- contributing to a simple and clear offer for employers
- proactively finding solutions to qualification developments through working with SkillsActive and other participating Awarding Organisations – helping to develop common units, assessment strategies, evidence requirements, contributing to relevant Awarding Organisation Forums
- accessing expertise in the sub sector via directly employed staff or purchased through consultancy support, together with a succession plan to replace expertise should it move on for each sector and qualification offered
- agreeing to and adopting the assessment strategy and evidence requirements for each qualification offered
- assisting in sharing and comparing achievement data in relation to the common qualifications.
- providing feedback on qualification content especially in areas around equality and diversity
The following awarding organisations have signed this commitment to the sector:
1st4sport Qualifications
1st4sport Qualifications - the awarding organisation for the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being sector. Recognised and regulated by Ofqual and SQA we work in partnership with a wide range of technical experts such as The FA and RFU to develop and award qualifications for the sector.
www.1st4sportqualifications.com
Active IQ
Active IQ is a leading UK awarding organisation offering qualifications for the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-being sector. We are recognised and regulated by Ofqual and our mission is to provide the sector with qualifications which are fit for purpose, dynamic and supported by innovative resources. We have set out to achieve this mission by incorporating a range of values into our everyday work:
- Creative — applying new ideas and concepts to push the boundaries of education and innovation
- Responsive — readily reacting to suggestions and influences
- Professional — conforming to and applying technical and ethical standards
- Supportive — proactively providing assistance with a positive and friendly attitude
- Flexible — willing to accommodate change or modification to meet the needs of our customers
Active IQ offers in excess of 70 accredited qualifications from QCF Levels 1-4 and currently approves over 450 training providers who offer our qualifications both nationally and internationally.
Amateur Swimming Association (ASA)
The ASA is the leading provider of aquatic qualifications in England and is recognised by employers for setting the industry standard in providing learners with the knowledge and skills to perform successfully within the workplace. As an Awarding Organisation we are recognised and regulated by the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) to offer vocational qualifications. Providing progression from Level 1 to Level 4 we verify learners have been assessed fairly and accurately, confirm the necessary units have been completed and certificate those qualifications achieved.
Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education (CACHE)
CACHE, the Council for Awards in Care, Health and Education, is the leading specialist Awarding Organisation for the Care and Education Sector.
Our core business as an Awarding Organisation is the development of high quality vocational qualifications. We either write the syllabus based on the workforce development strategy for the sector, or develop them jointly with employers. We then develop the assessments which are used to determine if the learners have gained sufficient knowledge and skills from the course to be awarded the qualification.
CACHE has developed qualifications across a range of sectors, more specifically, Children and Young People, Health and Social Care, Education Support, Quality of Assessment and Playwork.
Our Level 2 to Level 5 playwork qualifications would suit learners that would like to work with children or young people in a less formal or structured setting than a school or nursery or who might like the idea of working in afterschool or holiday clubs, adventure playgrounds or youth groups that encourage children and young people to challenge themselves through play.
Central YMCA Qualifications
Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) is the UK's leading awarding body for health, fitness and wellbeing qualifications. We develop and award a diverse suite of qualifications that are delivered through a range of institutions including private training providers, universities, colleges, prisons and schools within the UK and internationally.
Our suite of qualifications is highly respected amongst industry experts, employers and learners both in the UK and internationally. They are also supported by a comprehensive range of high quality print and digital resources for tutors and learners.
Education Development International (EDI)
EDI is the leading provider of work-based learning qualifications for industry and commerce, working closely with employers and over 1,800 private training providers, colleges and employers in the UK. EDI's qualifications for the Active Leisure, Learning and Well Being sector have been developed in collaboration with SkillsActive and are used by learners and employers as a benchmark for practical skills and quality.
Equestrian Qualifications Limited
www.equestrian-qualifications.org.uk
Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC)
Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance (HABC) is the UK's fastest growing Awarding Organisation and is recognised by Ofqual, the Welsh Government, CCEA and SQA. We offer both accredited and endorsed qualifications that cover a wide range of subjects in many sectors including Active Leisure, Learning and Wellbeing, Food Safety, Health and Safety, Security, First Aid, Pool Lifeguarding and many more. We are committed to Quality, Value, Service and Integrity and all of our Approved Centres receive their own dedicated Account Manager, an average of 4 working days certification turnaround time and unbeatable prices across all qualifications we offer.
Industry Qualifications (IQ)
IQ is a pan-sector awarding organisation designed to provide a new type of awarding environment, with a philosophy based upon quality, partnership and transparency. We are a mutual body committed to the highest operational and ethical standards and designed to harness the power of and develop opportunities for our members.
www.industryqualifications.org.uk
International Therapy Examination Council (ITEC)
Laser Learning Awards
LASER supports its recognised centres to develop flexible and responsive credit based courses and qualifications. This includes those that widen access to lifelong learning, and address exclusion, participation and achievement. The structure of our qualifications enables learners to be recognised for their achievement, to accumulate credit, and use this to access full qualifications and further learning over time.
LASER makes sure:
- quality assurance underpins all provision
- only centres that meet national standards are recognised
(for course and qualification delivery and quality assurance)
LASER staff:
- have a wide experience of centre, course and qualification approval
- are experienced professionals who support centres to make sure awards are valid and valued
Lifetime Awarding
National Open College Network (NOCN)
NOCN is one of the largest awarding organisations in the UK with 25 years experience. We work internationally and are one of the largest awarding organisations in the UK providing a wide range of qualifications and units under the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
We have nearly 300 accredited qualifications and a large number of units. With over 2,500 centres using our qualifications we are used to the pressures and timescales of working with learning and training organisations who need to get things done.
The support we can provide you covers event volunteering and outdoor activities. NOCN works with the Sector Skills Councils and Standard Setting Bodies across the UK.
The Royal Society for Public Health
SafetyTraining Awards (STA)
Sports Leaders UK
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT)
The Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a leading specialist awarding body for the hair and beauty, sports and active leisure, complementary therapy, hospitality and catering, customer service and retail sectors. VTCT has been awarding qualifications for 50 years, with approximately 100,000 registrations a year, across 600 college and private training centres in the UK and a growing number of international centres. VTCT prides itself on its value for money, excellent customer service, responsiveness to the needs of its customers and innovation.
For more information contact Nathalie Gibbins at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
