East England offers training oportunities in preparation for London 2012

SkillsActive - 06/04/2009

East-links: Leading the Field has been allocated funding by the Learning and Skills Council to take advantage of the enthusiasm surrounding London 2012 and the numerous volunteering and employment opportunities it will bring to the entire country. The project will run from 1 April 2009 until 31 December 2010.

Aiming to support more than 1200 people from across the East region, East-links: Leading the Field will help deliver a range of sport and recreation training opportunities to people who are employed or volunteer in sport. More than 750 coaching qualifications, 200 officiating qualifications, 100 health and fitness qualifications, 100 qualifications relating to facility operation and 100 community development qualifications will be available.

Managed by the Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region (ACER), and supported by SkillsActive – the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning – and several National Governing Bodies of Sport, East-links: Leading the Field will be delivered by the region’s six County Sport Partnerships and six Further Education Colleges. The project will cover Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

SkillsActive regional development manager for the East, Stuart Wilson, says: “A well qualified workforce plays a critical role in sport and is an essential ingredient in ensuring that participation targets are met and that sporting talent is nurtured.

“East-links: Leading the Field provides a fantastic opportunity for those employed or volunteering in sport to get financial support towards their professional development.

“SkillsActive is thrilled to be involved with the project and is very much looking forward to seeing people in the East benefit from the scheme and help ensure London 2012 is a great success.”

To find out more, and to apply, visit the SkillsActive bursaries page.