Projects and programmes
SkillsActive delivers several programmes and projects to improve workforce skills in the active leisure, learning and and well-being sector.
Funded programmes
The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund
The Mayor’s Sports Legacy Fund, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy, provides London volunteers with up to 75% off training to deliver a sporting legacy from the 2012 Games.
Nancy Ovens Bursary
The annual Nancy Ovens Bursary, sponsored by SkillsActive, provides paid or voluntary coaches and leaders in the sector with up to £2,000 in innovative training to improve skills.
Yorkshire & Humber Coaching Bursary
The Yorkshire and Humber Coaching Bursary, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy, provides 60% off UKCC coaching qualifications for new and existing coaches. It is funded by Sport England Yorkshire.
Joint Investment Programme
SkillsActive’s Joint Investment Programme helps meet specific skills gaps in the fitness and playwork sectors using training jointly funded by the Government and employers.
Group Training Association
SkillsActive’s Group Training Association enables small to medium sized employers to develop existing employees and recruit and train new personnel, primarily through Apprenticeships.
Activegraduates.com
Activegraduates.com is a free job matching website to help employers find talented, work ready candidates from our pool of successful Future Jobs Fund participants.
Change Gear
Change Gear, delivered by SkillsActive’s National Skills Academy, provides support to those leaving the Armed Forces to ensure they are aware of the opportunities available to them in the sport, fitness, outdoors, playwork and caravans industries.
Training 4 Volunteers
SkillsActive is working with experts from nine Member States on the Training 4 Volunteers project, which aims to investigate volunteering in sport and broaden ideas about education and training. It is funded by the 2010 Preparatory Action on Sport of the European Commission.
Projects
London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics
SkillsActive is leading on several projects to help deliver the competent, qualified workforce the UK needs for a successful London 2012 Games and a sustainable increase in sport and leisure participation.
Consultation
SkillsActive periodically asks for feedback on sector issues to inform the work we do. You can give SkillsActive feedback by post, email or fax before the time specified on the closing date.
Learn more about SkillsActvie's current and past consultations >
Completed programme and projects
SkillsActive has delivered numerous other successful programmes and projects.
Learn more about our Completed Programmes and Projects >
London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
The staging of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London in 2012 offers a unique opportunity for the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
It has focussed the spotlight on the capacity of the sector to deliver a successful event with a sustainable legacy for sport, as well as the broader legacy using sport and the inspiration of the Games.
To achieve these twin aims, a skilled workforce is essential. SkillsActive will use the Games as a catalyst for change and as a cornerstone of our work.
SkillsActive's role in staging the Games:
- Help shape training for 70,000 volunteers through the Personal Best Programme
- Ensure availability of trained and qualified staff for all the venues – with priority focus on officials and stewards
- Roll out the Personal Best Programme to all Regions to re-engage the long-term workless and recruit into volunteer programme and paid employment;
- Prepare athletes for success with the expansion of the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
- Working with People 1st on the customer service Gold Standard – with rollout to raise standards across our sector.
SkillsActive's role in establishing a sporting legacy:
- Contribute to increased and sustained participation in sport (DCMS target)
- Contribute to omproved health through sustained increase in physical activity (DoH target)
- Establish excellence development pathway with AASE up and running as 16-19 option for all Olympic and Paralympic sports
- Strengthen sporting infrastructure structure - both capital and people
- Help create more active and qualified coaches, leaders, activators and officials
- Establish UK Coaching Framework and reflect this in standards and coach education
- Establish QCF and NGB qualifications within new model and make eligible for public funding
- Establish workforce planning in each sport to assess and monitor need and at local level through County Sports Partnerships
- Help strengthen sports club management with introduction of business support packages
- Research and agree licensing and registration for coaching (and potentially other professions) integrated with the activepassport scheme
SkillsActive officer appointed London ambassador for 2012
SkillsActive - 20/10/11
A SkillsActive officer will welcome the world to London next year after being selected as a London Ambassador for the 2012 Games.
SkillsActive development officer for volunteering, Miriam Farley, will volunteer for six days during the Games at London’s Oxford Street. She will provide advice to people from all walks of life; from sports fans desperate to get to the Olympic Stadium, to families looking for a budget bite to eat.
SkillsActive interim chief executive Suki Kalirai says the ambassador role is a natural extension of Miriam’s work with the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
"Miriam administered the Personal Best programme, which provided long term unemployed people with employability training and the chance to volunteer at the Games,” Suki says. “Miriam is a passionate Londoner and, of course, a passionate sports supporter. I can’t imagine a better person to welcome people to the Games.”
Miriam, 26, from Bushey in North London, was selected as an ambassador after attending an interview in June where she was tested on her confidence, communication skills and, of course, her local knowledge.
Miriam says: “I’m so excited to be part of the Games and have the opportunity to welcome the world to London. It’s an awesome city and I want to ensure everyone who visits next summer gets a friendly welcome and has a super time.”
Her top London tip? “Avoid the crowds by walking everywhere you can. That’s the best way to get to know the city and enjoy our beautiful parks and landmarks.”