SkillsActive is taking part in a European Project
Training for Volunteers is funded by the 2010 Preparatory Action on Sport of the European Commission. A network of experts from nine Member States including SkillsActive will research volunteering in sport and try to broaden existing perspectives on education and training in the sector.
In short the analysis will focus on two research questions: How can the individual be empowered to meet the requirements and increasing quality standards of the sports organisation and how should instruments of human resource management be applied within voluntary sports organisations to make volunteering in sport a valuable and attractive experience for the individual?
The T4V Project is led by the Leadership Academy of the German Olympic Sports Confederation and conducted from 01 January 2011 till 30 June 2012
Playwork strategy
Our new UK play and playwork education and skills strategy for 2011 – 2016
We are pleased to announce the release of our new UK play and playwork education and skills strategy for 2011 – 2016, which replaces the previous UK strategy, ‘Quality Training, Quality Play’.
It is the culmination of an incredible amount of energy and focus, and SkillsActive would like to thank all those across the UK who participated in focus groups and workshops and responded to our consultation.
The key points from the strategy are:
Vision:
A skilled, qualified and developing play workforce, whose practice is underpinned by the Playwork Principles, who provide high quality, accessible play opportunities for children and young people
Aims:
- Position playwork as a distinct profession within the children and young people’s workforce.
- Support other sectors and the public in their understanding of the value of play and playwork
- Develop and promote a suite of sustainable qualifications that are valued by employers and the workforce, including volunteers
- Encourage delivery and uptake of high quality accessible training, education and professional development opportunities
Download the UK play and playwork education and skills strategy for 2011 – 2016
Training, education and qualifications
Training, education and qualifications
Find out about the broad range of training, education and qualifications available across our sector.
Education
Within this section you will find details of Apprenticeships, the 14-19 education reform along with information on the different types of qualifications available in our sector.
National occupational standards
Much of this work is based on our national occupational standards, which establish the competence required by those in the sector and form the key component of many qualifications.
Basic skills
Information is also available on the importance of adult literacy, language and numeracy skills and resources available to help employers improve their employees skills in these areas.
Endorsement
For training providers, there is information about endorsement available in playwork, fitness and through the Training Quality Standard.
Engagement
Training providers and employers have the opportunity to input into the development of these qualifications and standards, look out for details on our latest projects.
You can also be actively involved in our work by becoming a member. For more information on becoming a SkillsActive member and the benefits of doing so, see our membership section.
About the outdoors
Role of the outdoors sector
The outdoors sector can play an important part in delivering government policies. Concern over the state of the UK population’s health is focusing attention on those industries that are placed to promote both health and well-being through participation in healthy activity.
Similarly, the Department for Education supports learning outside the classroom to encourage learning through direct experience; this is a fantastic opportunity for the outdoors to be a significant contributor as a channel for educational delivery. Scotland is also planning for all children to have a week of free outdoor education. The outdoors also supports UK society through its contribution to areas such as rural regeneration, tourism, employment and social cohesion.
Size of the outdoors
The outdoors is difficult to define economically. Widely accepted figures suggest the sector contributes a gross value added output of £430million and has a workforce in excess of 25,000; these numbers are believed to be conservative.
The sector supports many salaried positions and an even larger number of voluntary posts. Many of the positions available are seasonal.
The outdoors also makes a substantial indirect contribution to the UK economy, for instance, through adventure tourism and through retail spending on outdoor equipment and clothing. It has been estimated that 50% of the UK population takes part in some form of active recreation whilst on holiday; their spending was estimated to be around £2 billion.
The outdoors sector is one of growth; it has consistently outstripped whole economy growth from 1999 to date. Growth is currently believed to be in the positive despite the recent recession. Future growth can only be sustained if suitably qualified and skilled staff are available to support it.