27/3/12

SkillsActive, the sector skills council for active leisure, learning and wellbeing, has received funding to continue its work delivering skills solutions for the sector.

The UK Commission for Employment and Skills has appointed SkillsActive, in partnership with Lantra, HABIA, People 1st, Improve and GoSkills.

They have been funded to deliver National Occupational Standards, Apprenticeships and Modern Apprenticeship frameworks, and qualification related products for three years starting 1st April 2012.

SkillsActive acting CEO Suki Kalirai says: “National occupational standards, qualifications and Apprenticeships are key products for developing a better skilled, better qualified workforce. This funding will provide the quality skills system the sector needs to achieve its objectives.”

SkillsActive achieved funding for three out of four of its national occupational standards projects, including:

• Leisure operations and management - SkillsActive has been funded to review the national occupational standards for leisure operations and management to ensure they reflect current practice.
• Achieving excellence in sports performance - SkillsActive has been funded to review the national occupational standards in sports performance that underpin the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) framework for elite young athletes.
• Playwork - SkillsActive has been funded to fill gaps in the national occupational standards for new professional areas in Playwork.

SkillsActive has also achieved funding for Apprenticeships, with a special focus on coaching in Wales and achieving excellence in sports performance in Scotland.

The announcement on the level of funding for qualifications work is still pending.