Chwarae Cymru a SQA i arwain datblygiad cymhwyster gwaith chwarae
SkillsActive - 27/1/12
Bydd Chwarae Cymru a The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) yn helpu SkillsActive Cymru i fynd i’r afael â chynnydd disgwyliedig yn y galw am gymwysterau yn y sector gwaith chwarae yng Nghymru.
Mae SkillsActive Cymru wedi sicrhau tua £235,000 o gyllid y Llywodraeth o Raglen Beilot Cronfa Flaenoriaethau’r Sector i ddatblygu cymwysterau ar lefel Gwobr, Tystysgrif a Diploma ar gyfer Rhoi Egwyddorion Gwaith Chwarae ar Waith. Mae Chwarae Cymru a SQA wedi’u penodi i arwain trosglwyddiad y prosiect.
Meddai rheolwr SkillsActive Cymru Richard Tobutt: “Eisoes, mae’r sector Gwaith Chwarae yn wynebu prinder sgiliau sylweddol yng Nghymru. Bydd hyn yn siŵr o waethygu pan ddaw deddfau i rym yn 2012 a fydd yn gofyn i bob awdurdod lleol ddarparu cyfleoedd chwarae digonol i blant a phobl ifanc.
“Rydym yn falch bod ein cais am y cyllid hwn wedi bod yn llwyddiannus, ac y bydd gweithwyr chwarae yn cael cyfle i ennill y cymwysterau lefel uwch hyn.”
Bydd y cymwysterau newydd yn cael eu rhoi ar y FfCCh ar Lefel 3 ac fe’i bwriedir ar gyfer gweithwyr chwarae a staff gofal plant sy’n dymuno symud i’r cam nesaf ar ôl cwblhau’r gyfres o gymwysterau P3 Lefel 2 sy’n bodoli eisoes. Bydd Chwarae Cymru hefyd yn creu ystod o adnoddau dysgu arloesol.
I gael rhagor o fanylion am yr hyfforddiant a’r modd y gall cyflogwyr a gweithwyr chwarae ddatgan diddordeb, anfonwch e-bost at reolwr SkillsActive Cymru, Richard Tobutt, ar This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Play Wales and SQA to lead Playwork qualification development
27/1/12
Play Wales and the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) will help SkillsActive Wales address an expected increase in demand for qualifications in the Welsh playwork sector.
SkillsActive Wales has secured about £235,000 of Government funding from the Sector Priority Fund Pilot to develop qualifications at Award, Certificate and Diploma levels for Playwork Principles into Practice. Play Wales and the SQA have been appointed to lead the delivery of the project.
SkillsActive Wales manager Richard Tobutt says: “The Playwork sector is already facing a significant skills shortage in Wales. This will be compounded by laws introduced in 2012 requiring each local authority to provide sufficient play opportunities for children and young people.
“We are really pleased that our bid for this funding has been successful and that playworkers will now have the opportunity to access these higher level qualifications.”
The new qualifications will be placed on the QCF at Level 3 and are intended for playworkers and childcare staff wanting to progress from the existing suite of P3 qualifications at Level 2.
Play Wales will also produce a range of innovative learning materials. For details of the training and the process by which both employers and playworkers can register interest, please email SkillsActive Wales manager Richard Tobutt at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
SkillsActive programme to boost Welsh Apprenticeships
26/1/12
SkillsActive Wales hopes to see more young people taking up Apprenticeships, following the introduction of SkillsActive’s Sport and Active Leisure Pathways to Apprenticeship (PtA) programme.
Developed by SkillsActive in consultation with leading employers, the programme is designed to attract learners keen for a career in the sport and active leisure industry.
The first group of students begun the programme in September 2011 and will spend their first year studying a combination of core and optional qualifications at Level 2.
The programme supports the strategic approach set out in the Welsh Government ‘Skills That Work for Wales’ strategy. It is being delivered by further education institutions such as Coleg Sir Gar, Ystrad Mynach College, Coleg Llandrillo and Cardiff and Vale College.
To find out how you can get involved please email Sara Hale at
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Apprenticeship updates
This section contains important updates on the Apprenticeship frameworks and other news relevant to Apprenticeships.
25 January 2012
English apprenticeship providers and employers acting on the behalf of apprentices will soon be able to request Apprenticeship certificates online.
The Alliance of Sector Skills Councils is now the Certifying Authority for England using the Apprenticeship Certificates England (ACE) system, following changes to the Apprenticeship certification system.
From 10 February 2012, apprenticeship providers / employers acting on the behalf of apprenticeswill be able to use the ACE online system to request certificates from sector skills bodies (SSBs) and sector skills councils (SSCs), such as SkillsActive.
SSBs and SSCs will then issue Apprenticeship certificates, providing the Apprenticeship framework requirements have been met.
Key dates
• On 10 February 2012, SkillsActive will begin issuing Apprenticeship certificates via ACE
• SkillsActive will continue to issue certificates against claims submitted on the current paper based system until 31 March 2012.
• After 1 April 2012, SkillsActive will only accept requests from people registered on the ACE system
To request a certificate using the ACE system, please register on the ACE website. SkillsActive will issue a username and password to you within 5 – 7 working days.
New certificates
If you request an Apprenticeship certificate using the ACE system, you will receive the new certificates with gold (higher apprenticeship), silver (advanced apprenticeship) or bronze (intermediate apprenticeship) foil seals. If you use the paper based system, you will receive the older version of the certificate.
New fees
• Apprenticeship certification claims submitted via the paper based system until 31 March 2012 – £25
• Apprenticeship certification claims submitted via ACE – £22
activepassports to link with ACE
SkillsActive is working to integrate activepassports into the ACE certification process.
Providers will soon be able to use activepassports to track a linked apprentice’s qualifications and the new statutory Guided Learning Hour requirement.
Following further development, it is hoped activepassport will populate ACE with the required certification information. This will enable providers to better track and manage their apprentices and, ultimately, help streamline the certification process.
Please keep an eye on your email inbox for further details, including activepassport package pricing.
17 November 2011
The Skills Funding Agency has advised SkillsActive that the ERR awards will no longer have a value on Learning Aims Reference Application as stand alone qualifications. However, the Skills Funding Agency has calculated an enhanced amount of funding into the competence qualification's (NVQ) funding to cover the delivery of the ERR component of the framework in our sector.
The funding has not disappeared – it is still there but has been captured in the main component of the framework.
SkillsActive apologies if this change has caused concern. However, it was brought in without advance consultation. We hope this notice allays your concerns.
Training and Qualifications
SkillsActive works on behalf of the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector to develop a framework of qualifications and training that meets employer needs, ensuring the workforce is properly trained and qualified.
Our National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure works with the best training providers in our sector to deliver cost-effective, quality assured training solutions.
Training
Providing training for employees not only helps them develop their skills and knowledge – it’s also a building block to business success.
Qualifications
SkillsActive works with employers and training providers to develop vocational qualifications that enable people to be competent in specific types of work.
Quality Assurance
Discover more about how SkillsActive ensures that quality training is available to those in the sector.
Business skills
Jobs in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector involve a broad range of skills such as communication, literacy, numeracy, and management.
SkillsActive helps improve business skills in our sector through a range of training initiatives and resources.
Literacy, language and numeracy skills
The ability to read, write and do maths opens up the number of career opportunities in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing industry. SkillsActive helps improve adult literacy, language and numeracy skills in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland through a range of training initiatives.
Find out more about these initiatives >
Management and leadership
It takes special skills to lead a team - both on and off the field. Train your staff or improve your skills anywhere, at any time with SkillsActive’s selection of quick, simple and cost efficient online courses from quality training providers.
Apprenticeship types in Wales
There are two types of Apprenticeships available in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector in Wales:
- Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
This Apprenticeship provides apprentices with a mix of practical and technical skills to develop at work and progress to further education. It is available at three levels: foundation (level 2 QCF), apprenticeship (level 3 QCF) and higher (levels 4 and above QCF). The Apprenticeship framework and choice of competence qualification will depend on the individual's experience and job role. - Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
AASE provides a structured training and development route across a number of sports for talented young athletes (aged 16-19), who have a real chance of excelling in their sport; either by competing on the world stage or securing a professional contract.
Learn more about AASE>
Frameworks and guidance
For information and documents relevant to apprenticeships in England see Frameworks and Guidance for Wales
Frameworks and Guidance for Wales>
Hair and Beauty
SkillsActive manages the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks in partnership with Habia, the sector body for the hair, beauty, nails and spa sector. For Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks see the HABIA website
Legacy Apprenticeships
- Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching
This Apprenticeship, which has now finished, provided 14 to 16 year-olds with a combination of academic studies, vocational qualifications and work placements.
Apprenticeships in other sectors
For more information on apprenticeships in Wales see the Welsh Government website.
More information
For more information on Apprenticeships in Wales please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance for Wales
This section contains information and documents relevant to Apprenticeships in Wales. All files are in PDF format.
SASW apprenticeship frameworks
The Apprenticeship frameworks developed to meet the requirements of the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW) are now available on the Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website.
Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website>
Frameworks
SkillsActive offers six apprenticeships in Wales in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
Foundation Level Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeship in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (April 2011)
Foundation Apprenticeship Leisure Operations (May 2011)
Foundation Apprenticeship in Playwork (June 2011)
Advanced Level Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Fitness (April 2011)
Advanced Apprenticeship in Leisure Management (May 2011)
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Playwork (June 2011)
Supporting documents for personal learning and thinking skills element of the apprenticeship
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance
SkillsActive has worked with employers to develop a set of Apprenticeship frameworks. These outline the minimum requirements needed to complete the apprenticeship at each level and for each occupation.
Apprenticeships are available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. However, each country has a slightly different approach.
Select a country below to learn more about the frameworks available in your area.
Northern Ireland
This section contains Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance documents for Northern Ireland.
Scotland
This section contains Modern Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance documents for Scotland.
Staff Training
SkillsActive's main aim is to support employers with ensuring their staff have the right skills to do their job. Discover more about the many ways we can help you find the right training, at the right price.
Statutory training
Meet your training requirements simply and cost-effectively with our discounted offers.
Find quality training
Browse our catalogue of approved training providers to find quality training for your staff, ensuring you get the best value for money.
Manage your training
SkillsActive can offer you a number of tools to support how you manage your staff training.