East Links: Leading the Field Expression of Interest - Funding Opportunity

This is the expression of interest form for the "East-links: Leading the Field" training project, which offers fully funded training courses for individuals who are employed or regularly volunteer in the Sport and Active Leisure sector.  Funding for the project is provided through the European Social Fund (ESF) via the Regional Learning and Skills Council and is focussed on improving current training opportunities in the Sport and Active Leisure workforce. Please note that this application is an expression of your interest in this scheme, it does not guarantee project funding support.  All decisions will be made based on project targets, availability of funding and applicant eligibility.

Successful applicants will need to meet the following criteria: * Be in paid employment for at least 8 hours per week * Be working or living within the East of England *Be seeking to develop an employed or volunteer status role within the active leisure sector in the East of England * Not be following a full level 2, 3 or 4 qualification (e.g. A levels, NVQ, BTEC, 1st Degree) Please note that your application will be passed to the County Sports Partnership/FE college in your county for further consideration.  If you are applying for a coaching bursary the relevant National Governing Body will also be consulted. If you are not eligible but would like information on other funding routes, please complete this form or contact SkillsActive on 020 7632 2000

Please answer the following questions as honestly and as fully as you can. May we take this opportunity to thank you for your application and wish you good luck!

If you have any questions about the scheme please do not hesitate to contact somebody from your local County Sports Partnership or alternatively email info@acer.ac.uk

Is This Programme for You?

	Will you be 16 or over when the course which you are hoping to gain funding for begins?
	Yes		No

	Are you in paid employment for at least 8 hours per week?
	Yes		No

	Do you live or work in East Anglia (Beds/Cambs/Essex/Herts/Norfolk/Suffolk)?
	Yes		No

	Are you currently following a full level 2,3 or 4 qualification (e.g.A levels, NVQ, BTEC,1st Degree)?
	Yes		No

	Are you an EU citizen or do you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK?
	Yes		No

	Is your active sport role in East Anglia?
	Yes		No

Unfortunately, you are not eligible for support under this project.  However, you may wish to contact your local County Sports Partnership (see below) or relevant National Governing Body of Sport for more information about funding opportunities. - Beds - Neil Longridge 01582 813762 - Cambs - Helen Clarke 01487 849922 - Essex - Colin Bennett 01245 702459 - Herts - Rob Hardwick 01707 281204 - Norfolk - Ian Grange 01603 697020 - Suffolk - Claire Drewery 07917 895719

Your Personal Details

	Please complete your details below:
	*Title:
	*First name:
	*Surname:
	*Address 1:
	Address 2:
	Town:
	*Postcode:
	*Telephone number:
	Mobile number:
	Personal email:

	Which county do you live in?*
	Bedfordshire		Hertfordshire		Other
	Cambridgeshire		Norfolk
	Essex		Suffolk

If other, please specify

Your Personal Details

	Gender:* Please ü one only
	Male
	Female

Date of Birth* (dd/mm/yyyy)

	Ethnic background*: Please ü one only
	Asian or Asian British - Bangladeshi		Black or Black British - Other Black background		White - British
	Asian or Asian British - Indian		Chinese		White - Irish
	Asian or Asian British - Pakistani		Mixed - White and Asian		White - Other White background
	Asian or Asian British - Other Asian background		Mixed - White and Black African		Any Other
	Black or Black British - African		Mixed - White and Black Caribbean		Would rather not say
	Black or Black British - Caribbean		Mixed - Any other mixed background

* Required field

Your Personal Details

	Do you consider yourself to have a long term disability or health problem? Please ü one only
	Yes		No		Don't know

	If yes, which of the following disabilities/health problems do you consider yourself to have?
	Visual impairment		Other medical condition e.g. epilepsy		Profound complex disabilities
	Hearing impairment		Emotional / behavioural difficulties		Aspergers syndrome
	Disability affecting mobility		Mental health difficulty		Multiple disabilities
	Other physical disability		Temporary disability after illness e.g. post viral or accident		Would rather not say

	Do you consider yourself to have a learning difficulty? Please ü one only
	Yes		No		Don't know

	If yes, which of the following learning difficulties do you consider yourself to have?
	Moderate learning difficulty		Dyscalculia		Multiple learning difficulties
	Severe learning difficulty		Other specific learning difficulty		Other
	Dyslexia		Autism spectrum disorder		Would rather not say

Your Current Qualifications and Experience

	Which (if any) of the following qualifications do you currently hold? Please ü as many as apply
	Entry Level Certificate		Foundation Degree
	Other qualification below Level 1		Honours degree
	Level 1 Qualification		Masters Degree
	Level 2 Qualification		Doctorate
	Level 3 Qualification		Other professional qualifications
	Level 4 Qualification		No Qualifications
	HNC/HND		Other qualification, level unknown

If other, please specify

Examples of Qualifications Level 1 Qualification - GCSE grades D-G, BTEC Introductory certificate/diploma, NVQ, other level 1 (e.g. Coaching) Level 2 Qualification - GCSE grades A*-C, BTEC First Diploma/certificate, NVQ, other level 2 (e.g. Coaching) Level 3 Qualification- A Levels, BTEC National Diploma/Certificate/Award, NVQ, other Level 3 (e.g. Coaching) Level 4 Qualification - Certificate of Higher Education, NVQ Other Professional Qualifications- Professional Diploma, Certificate/Award, Advanced Professional Diploma/Award Certificate, Other awards from professional bodies e.g. Accountancy

	Is your highest level qualification in a sport/fitness related subject?
	Yes		No		Don't Know

	Do you currently hold a Level 2 qualification in English (e.g. GCSE grade A*- C/adult literacy) Please ü one only
	Yes		No		Don't know

	Do you currently hold a Level 2 qualification in Mathematics (e.g. GCSE grade A*- C/adult numeracy) Please ü one only
	Yes		No		Don't know

There are a number of national and regional projects that offer FREE training to help those adults currently without a Level 2 in English and/or Mathematics to gain a nationally recognised certificate in literacy and/or numeracy. Stepping-stones is a regional project to help adults gain a nationally recognised certificate in literacy and/or numeracy whilst Move On is a national programme. Both are free programmes for those adults currently without a level 2 in English and/or Mathematics and offer a flexible way to gain a national qualification in your own time. Please note you are under no obligation to undertake this qualification and it will not impact upon your application for this programme. For more information visit www.acer.ac.uk/steppingstones.php or www.move-on.org.uk

	Would you like to receive further information on attaining an adult level 2 literacy qualification? Please ü one only
	Yes		No

	Would you like to receive further information on attaining an adult level 2 numeracy qualification? Please ü one only
	Yes		No

Your Expression of Interest

The Leading the Field funding opportunity provides applicants with a choice of 7 learning pathways.  Due to funding restrictions we can only fund ONE qualification per applicant.  Therefore, please select the most appropriate learning pathway and then select a single qualification that you would like to receive funding for.

1. Coaching Funding is available for up to 750 coaching qualifications. This includes coaching related qualifications awarded through National Governing Bodies of Sport at levels 1, 2 or 3 (available across 23 sports).

2. Operations 100 leisure facilities / operator qualifications will be supported through funding.  Qualifications include operators certificate, award in basic pool plant operations, national pool plant operations, supervisory management and RLSS lifesaving.

3. Health and Fitness This scheme will support up to 100 health and fitness qualifications. Qualifications include certificates in fitness instructing/advanced fitness instructing, certificate in personal training, certificate in teaching physical activity to children, certificate in exercise referral and nutrition and weight management.

4. Officiating This scheme will support the attainment of up to 200 officiating qualifications.  Qualifications are available across 23 sports.

5. Coach education / tutoring Funding is available for 25 coach tutor qualifications. The scheme will support tutors from a range of sports (23 sports available).

6. Community Development 100 community sport qualifications will also be funded through the scheme.  This includes funding for the certificate in sports leadership, dance leadership, community sports leadership, certificate in leading health related activity sessions and introduction to mentoring.

	Which learning pathway would you like to follow? Please ü one only
	Coaching		Officiating
	Operations		Coach education / tutoring
	Health and Fitness		Community development

COACHING PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which sport would you like to gain your coaching qualification in? Please ü one only
	Athletics		Gymnastics		Sailing/Windsurfing
	Badminton		Handball		Squash
	Basketball		Hockey		Swimming
	Boccia		Judo		Tennis
	Equestrian		Lacrosse		Triathlon
	Canoeing		Netball		Volleyball
	Cricket		Rounders		Wheelchair Basketball
	Cycling		Rowing		Other
	Exercise, movement, dance		Rugby League
	Football		Rugby Union

If other, please specify

	Which level of qualification would you like to achieve in this sport?
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3

Please note you MUST have the correct entry requirements to undertake level 2 and level 3 qualifications i.e.  you MUST have a level 1 qualification in the sport to undertake a level 2 qualification and a level 2 qualification to undertake a level 3 qualification.

Do you currently hold the relevant entry level qualifications to undertake this qualification?
Yes		No

OPERATIONS PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which qualification would you like to undertake? Please ü one only
	Operators Certificate		National Pool Plant Operators Certificate		RLSS Lifesaving
	Award in Basic Pool Plant Operations		Supervisory Management		Other

If other, please specify

HEALTH & FITNESS PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which qualification would you like to undertake? Please ü one only
	Certificate in Fitness Instructing - Gym		Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing - Gym
	Certificate in Fitness Instructing - Exercise to Music		Certificate in Exercise Referral
	Certificate in Instructing - Circuit Sessions		Nutrition and Weight Management
	Certificate in Teaching Physical Activity to Children		Indoor Cycling
	Certificate in Personal Training		Other

If other, please specify

OFFICIATING PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which sport would you like to gain your officiating qualification in? Please ü one only
	Athletics		Gymnastics		Sailing/Windsurfing
	Badminton		Handball		Squash
	Basketball		Hockey		Swimming
	Boccia		Judo		Tennis
	Equestrian		Lacrosse		Triathlon
	Canoeing		Netball		Volleyball
	Cricket		Rounders		Wheelchair Basketball
	Cycling		Rowing		Other
	Exercise, movement, dance		Rugby League
	Football		Rugby Union

If other, please specify

COACH EDUCATION / TUTORING PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which sport would you like to gain your coach education/tutoring course in? Please ü one only
	Athletics		Gymnastics		Sailing/Windsurfing
	Badminton		Handball		Squash
	Basketball		Hockey		Swimming
	Boccia		Judo		Tennis
	Equestrian		Lacrosse		Triathlon
	Canoeing		Netball		Volleyball
	Cricket		Rounders		Wheelchair Basketball
	Cycling		Rowing		Other
	Exercise, movement, dance		Rugby League
	Football		Rugby Union

If other, please specify

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PATHWAY

	If successful in your funding application, which qualification would you like to undertake? Please ü one only
	Certificate in Sports Leadership		Award in Community Sports Leadership
	Award in Dance Leadership		Certificate in Leading Health Related Activity Sessions
	An Introduction to Mentoring

Your Current Employment Status

	What is your current employment status within the Sport and Active Leisure sector? Please ü all that apply
	Full time - Paid		Part-time - Volunteer
	Part-time - Paid		Sessional/casual
	Full time - Volunteer		Not currently employed/volunteering in the sector

	How many paid hours do you work each week (Sport and Active Leisure environment)? Please write in below

	How many hours do you volunteer each week (Sport and Active Leisure environment)? Please write in below

About The Sporting Organisation That You Work/Volunteer For

Name of Organisation

	How many paid employees does the organisation have?
	0-10		11-49		50-249		250+

	How many volunteers does the organisation have? Please write in below

	What type of organisation do you work/volunteer for?
	Limited company		Health organisation		Voluntary organisation
	Sole trader		Educational organisation		Charitable / not for profit organisation
	Partnership		Government organisation		Other, please specify
	Local Authority		Sports / membership club

If other, please specify

	Which county/counties does the organisation deliver services to?
	Bedfordshire		Hertfordshire		Outside East of England Region
	Cambridgeshire		Norfolk
	Essex		Suffolk

Your Funding Application Referee

	If this funding application is successful, we will require a reference from the sporting environment where you currently work/volunteer OR a suitable alternative (e.g NGB representative/County Sports Partnership).  Please provide the following details
	Referee's Name

	Referee's position / role:
	Address:
	Postcode:
	Telephone number:
	Email address:
	Organisation's website:

Course Details

	Do you know the details of the course you would like to attend? Please ü one only
	Yes		No

If you do not know the details of the course that you wish to attend, we would ask that you make enquiries now as to which courses would be appropriate for you. In the meantime, your details will be passed to your County's County Sports Partnership or a local FE college so that your application can be considered. It will help with your application if you have details of the course when the CSP/FE college contact you.

	Is the course within the next month?
	Yes		No

Please note that since your course is taking place within the next month, you will need to contact your respective County Sports Partnership contact to discuss your application. For now please complete the rest of this application form and the give your relevant representative a call as soon as you can:   Beds - Neil Longridge 01582 813762 Cambs - Helen Clarke 01487 849922 Essex - Colin Bennett 01245 702459 Herts - Rob Hardwick 01707 281204 Norfolk - Ian Grange 01603 697020 Suffolk - Claire Drewery 07917 895719

Please provide the details of the course you would like to attend:

	Date:
	Venue:
	Cost                 £

	How did you find out about this funding opportunity? Please ü as many as apply
	Coaching / sporting environment		Poster		Other Project
	FE College		Flier		Other
	County Sports Partnership		Website

	Please provide details of website used:

	Please specify which 'other' way you found out about this funding opportunity:

Other Information

DATA PROTECTION

Please note that this scheme operates as a partnership model.  As such a range of organisations will be involved in assessing suitability of candidates and contacting beneficiaries to co-ordinate the delivery of the training and development.

The project operates as follows: * ACER holds the contract with the LSC and will therefore oversee the delivery of the project. * SkillsActive will collate the online expressions of interest on behalf of the project, and will forward responses to ACER.  Applications will be reviewed by ACER and the delivery partners * The County Sports Partnerships and FE colleges in each county will be responsible for contacting successful applicants and completing the required learner paperwork, which will be forwarded to ACER *The National Governing Bodies, FE colleges and other providers will be directly responsible for delivering the training

	Are you happy for all partner organisations to have access to the information contained in this expression of interest, for the express purpose of that detailed above?
	Yes		No		Don't Know

	Please note that without consent to pass on information to the organisations listed above, we will be unable to process your application.  Are you happy for the relevant parties to view your application details?
	Yes		No

SKILLSACTIVE AND THE NATIONAL SKILLS ACADEMY

As the Sector Skills Council for the Active Leisure and Learning sector, SkillsActive and the National Skills Academy are dedicated to the needs of organisations in the sector and aim to ensure that learning meets the needs of those that we represent.

	Would you like to receive further information about the work of SkillsActive/The National Skills Academy?
	Yes
	No

	We will store your details and only contact you via the method(s) you indicate below to keep you informed about activities relevant to the Active Leisure and Learning sector (including news, events, training, research, consultations)
		Yes	No
	By email
	By post
	By telephone

	SkillsActive Services Ltd, our trading arm and subsidiary companies are also working towards the same goals as SkillsActive, the sector skills council and may contact you with information on products and services relevant to Active Leisure and Learning e.g. training and development tools.
		Yes	No
	I want to receive information from SkillsActive Services Ltd and subsidiary companies by post
	I want to receive information from SkillsActive Services Ltd and subsidiary companies by telephone
	I want to receive information from SkillsActive Services Ltd and subsidiary companies by email

Thank you for taking the time to complete this application form.