Qualifications

We work with partner organisations and technical experts to develop a framework of qualifications and training which meet the needs of the sector.

Training and qualifications within our sector cover foundation degrees, vocational qualifications, such as Scottish or National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQs), Apprenticeships and the new diplomas.

Employers in our sector are often concerned with workplace competence, which is why emphasis is placed on vocational qualifications as they are based on national occupational standards which reflect the skills and knowledge required to do a job effectively. 

Qualification reform

The vocational qualifications system is changing to become more responsive to the specific needs of employers and learners. The content of qualifications will be more relevant to employers’ needs and qualifications will be more accessible to a wider range of learners.

Part of this reform includes using Qualifications & Credit Frameworks offer a new way of recognising achievement through the award of credit for units and qualifications.

The Register of Regulated Qualifications

The Register of Regulated Qualifications contains details of Recognised Awarding Organisations and Regulated Qualifications in England (Ofqual), Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (Ofqual for vocational qualifications and CCEA for all other qualifications).

Visit the Register to view Recognised Awarding Organisations, Regulated Qualifications, Units and Diploma structures.

SFA Funding of Edexcel BTEC Qualifications for 19+ Year-Olds (Outside of Apprenticeship Frameworks)

An SSC can only recommend qualifications for public funding for 19+ year-olds; the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) makes the decision about which qualifications are ultimately fundable, under what conditions, and to what value. Furthermore, an SSC can only recommend for funding those qualifications which meet its Sector Qualifications Strategy (SQS). SkillsActive’s SQS clearly sets out its priorities to be the qualifications which prepare and qualify the learner to do a particular job, and those which allow the learner to demonstrate their competence within a job. In the case of Edexcel BTEC qualifications which do neither of these therefore, SkillsActive cannot recommend these qualifications for funding unless they are with foundation learning, ie at entry level or level 1. This situation cannot change unless the SFA’s criteria for recommending funding changes.

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.

The activepassport is an easy, affordable way to manage staff training without the annoying paperwork. That's the word from Activity Sheffield's Development Manager Richard Sutcliffe, who manages training for the organisation's 120 staff.

Activity Sheffield deliver a variety of sport, play and activity sessions across the city, with the goal of leading the city to a more active, healthy and sporting future.

Richard says, traditionally, Activity Sheffield recorded staff training on paper. Details were entered into a spreadsheet programme and manually updated once a year as part of an individual's performance appraisal.

"We wanted a more modern way of recording and maintaining personal training records," he says.

Richard organised a demonstration of the activepassport through SkillsActive. The activepassport^TM is an online tool that provides a verified record of an individual's training, qualifications and personal and professional achievements. It reduces administration by recording achievements, identifying skills gaps and setting reminders for training renewals and refreshers. It also quickly identifies individual and organisational training needs.

Easy access to training records

Richard says the electronic system appealed because it could hold all staff qualifications in one place and be easily updated. He bought 120 activepassport^TM for Activity Sheffield's permanent staff who have now entered their training, qualifications, personal and professional details into the system.  They will also soon upload their certificates.

"We've got coaches, development officers, operational managers, and office staff all using the system," Richard says. "The feedback is it's easy to use and navigate their way around, even for those who are less computer literate."

Alerts keep qualifications current

Activity Sheffield has used the system to produce reports identifying skills gaps.

"I like the fact that it flags up when staff qualifications expire so you don't have a situation where, for instance, a person's first aid certificate has run out and they're no longer qualified in that area," Richard says.

"The report also identifies if there are several people requiring training in a key area so we can then set up a course for them. And if a staff member leading a coaching session calls in sick, we can search through activepassport^TM and see who else is qualified to take the session."

Saves time and creates staff incentive

The activepassport reduces the paperwork and time taken to record staff training, Richard says. It also shows staff that Activity Sheffield takes workforce development seriously.

"Staff are able to upload their training goals onto the system, so we can see these and help them to progress. They know that by putting this system in place, Activity Sheffield genuinely cares about them and investing in their professional development."

In the future, Activity Sheffield plans to extend the activepassport^TM to its 80 casual and part time staff. It also wants to use the tool as an incentive for volunteers.

"The activepassport is an excellent way to capture staff training electronically. It's easy to use, it saves time and it's given us a proper hold on staff training. I'm not aware of anything else like it."

Learn more about activepassport>

Volunteering plays an important role in the sport and active leisure sector, with many local community schemes being run and managed by volunteers. There are many opportunities open to people in the sector - from government funding to free training and qualifications.

For funding opportunities in coaching, please see our Coaching Investment Programe.

How do I become a volunteer?

There are several different ways to become a sports volunteer:

• To find out about volunteering in a particular sport, you need to contact the National Governing Body for that sport

• If you wish to volunteer in a particular area, you can find out what your local County Sports Partnership has on offer for sport volunteers, including training for coaches and officials

• You can also benefit from coaching bursaries if you want to become a qualified coach in a sport

• There are also online resources run by local community groups, including the Do It site where you can find your local Volunteer Centre