training


Keeping the best with Springboard


gareth edwards is the education director of The Springboard Charity and Springboard UK


CYQ reports growth in number of awards


Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) has recorded a 17 per cent increase in the num- ber of certificates it awarded between 2010 and 2011. According to Ofqual’s


A


s this year’s graduates get ready to sit their final exams, thoughts wander towards employment. Given the economic climate, a


move into a career may not be as easy as it was, but there are still opportunities, and Springboard can help identify them. Te end of the year oſten prompts thoughts of a new start and it is common for employees to also think about changing jobs. Staff are the most important asset to any


business and the cost of replacing them can hurt a business financially, not to mention their performance and reputation. The CIPD says the average job turnover in the UK is 18.1 per cent – disappointingly much higher in the leisure sector. However, a cer- tain level of turnover can be positive as it weeds out poor performers and gives the opportunity to bring in new recruits. Te clear strategy for employers needs


to be – hang on to those you want to keep – and investing in Springboard’s Into Work and Summer School is a smart way of doing just that. Improving retention will involve some time and effort, but the sector has one major advantage over others in that it’s gen- erally regarded as fun to work in. Tere’s no doubt regular and ongoing


training can make a big difference as many candidates look for businesses that support professional development and training and that have some sort of succession planning. Te last thing an employer wants to see are talented employees leaving aſter two years because they can’t see a clear career path. Research shows that learning new things


at work is something that makes people happy. Tis is good news, given that in the race to become a more skilled and suc- cessful nation there will be an increased demand from employers on workforces to upskill in order to keep a competitive edge. Skills levels required for employment will continue to rise, but even more rap- idly than before. Tere is no doubt that learning pays and


that skills matter, but – equally – if minds wander then feet will walk!


18


Annual Qualifications Market Report 2012, CYQ remains the largest awarding organisa- tion for the fitness sector and awarded a total of 43,984 cer- tificates throughout 2011. Other award bodies men-


tioned in the report include Sports Leaders UK, whose Level 1 Award in sport lead- ership was named among the country’s top 20 qualifications in the ‘other’ category. CYQ director of awarding Jenny Patrickson


Patrickson: “Our steady growth is a reflection of our high standards”


said: “We are immensely proud that we have made such an important contribution to


enabling many of the over 600,000 people working in the health, fitness and wellbeing sector to develop their careers.” Read more: http://lei.sr?a=O1M7v


NSA to extend into cultural heritage


Te Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is investing in the extension of the National Skills Academy Creative and Cultural into the cultural heritage sector. A new development pro-


gramme is to enhance and develop career opportuni- ties for young people across a range of areas – including museums and galleries. Creative and Cultural


Skills and partners such as the Museums Association, Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund will lead the initiative. Worth an estimated £5.5bn a year, the cultural heritage sector employs 54,000 people and makes a “significant con- tribution” to the UK’s tourism economy. John Hayes, minister for further education,


skills and lifelong learning, said the govern- ment funding boost will help the National


Te cash will create new opportunities in the cultural heritage industry


Skills Academy for Creative and Cultural cre- ate a number of new opportunities. “Tis is very good news for the creative


industries and will help them to overcome the skills gaps that stand in the way of them meet- ing their full potential,” said Hayes. Details: http://lei.sr?a=g1Z8U


Everyone Active confirms British Rowing partnership


More than 90 Everyone Active fitness motiva- tors will receive training from British Rowing to increase the quality of rowing instruction at all UK facilities with indoor rowers. Te sport’s national governing body will deliver seven four-hour sessions to address a


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


gap between the popularity of indoor rowing and the standard of gym instruction. Everyone Active’s Michelle Bletso said: “Tis


training will really up our game in providing the best gym experience for our users.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=g1Q6D


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2012


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