TRAINING
Securing INSPIRED work experience
More work needs to go into making sure our sector is seen as a great career opportunity
I
RHONA MENNIE is senior customer relationship manager of Springboard UK
t is a startling statistic that 40 per cent of those who undertake work experience in hospitality, leisure,
travel and tourism do not follow up on a job in the industry as a result of that experience. So what is going wrong, what is being done to remedy the situation and what needs to be done going forward? Work experience is the single most
important influencer in a young person’s career choice. If the experience is poor, then the short-sighted employer may well say goodbye to motivated potential recruits who will turn to another company – or indeed industry – for their career choice. Insufficient care taken to
plan and deliver inspiring work experience, leaving the person feeling undervalued, is damaging to that individual, the company and to the image of the wider industry. The need to create consistency and high standards of work experience across the industry led to the publication in January 2008 of Springboard's INSPIRE guidelines for employers, a step-by-step guide to delivering quality work experience. A quality kite mark indicates those companies that commit to high standards of work experience – be it taster day, secondary school work experience, Further Education extended work experience or the year-long undergraduate work placement. Springboard works with employers to link up with students seeking excellent placements, the objective being to ensure an increasing number of students enjoy a well structured experience with the prospect of career opportunities down the line. INSPIRE has been endorsed by the National Council of Work
Experience, the organisation that promotes, supports and develops quality work experience for the benefit of students, employers and the economy. It is developing links with Business in the Community’s new initiative, Work Inspiration, a national, business-led campaign to improve the standard of work experience offered by employers across all industries. So the foundations are in place and the momentum is
increasing. Word, however, does need to spread further. More employers within our industry need to make their commitment to providing great work experience. Then there is that all- important audience of students whose career paths may be defined by that first taste of industry life. Add to this list the teachers, lecturers and parents who can point the students in the right direction – they need to be aware of what inspiring work experience can do for their young people.
16 DLL will implement the initiative across its 78 UK health clubs
Swimming scheme for David Lloyd Club operator teams up with ASA to adopt NPTS
By Pete Hayman The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has an- nounced that David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has become the latest company to adopt the National Plan for Teaching Swimming (NPTS). DLL will implement the plan
alongside the national governing body's Award Scheme across its estate of 78 UK clubs, and was one of the first operator's to form a business partnership with the ASA seven years ago. The NPTS is designed to provide a
comprehensive teaching programme for people of all ages, with participants able to take part in training elements of water polo and rookie lifeguard courses alongside learning to swim. DLL head of family and
programming Sarah Hobbs said: "The teaching programme is excellent and provides children with the opportunity to learn and love swimming and other water based activities. We have fantastic facilities for learning to swim and can offer both indoor and outdoor swimming."
A new fitness apprenticeship scheme, which is designed to allow employers to access government funding, has been launched by Premier Training International (PTI). The new apprenticeships
will integrate the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certificate in Personal Training and the OPT Model, a training programme based on scientific research.
Read Leisure Opportunities online
www.leisureopportunities.com/digital
Premier unveils new fitness courses Designed to enable
personal trainers to work towards individual needs and goals, it is hoped candidates will be able to develop training programmes scientifically proven to deliver results. Candidates will be provided with qualifications recognised in the UK, Europe and the US through PTI's partnership with NASM as part of the six-month apprenticeship programmes.
© Cybertrek 2010
news & jobs at
www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
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