TraiNiNg Leisure job ‘ban’ for non-EU migrants Tom walkeR


UK firms will find it increas- ingly hard to recruit non-EU migrants as fitness instructors, sports coaches, spa managers and fast food chefs. A review of the UK’s skill


shortages by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended changes in the current points system. MAC has deduced that


many jobs within the lei- sure sector are “non-skilled” and therefore do not qualify for Tier 2 status – requiring applicants to have a level 4 qualification or above on the National Qualifications Framework. New classifications are due to come into


force on 6 April as part of the government’s strategy of reducing non-European Economic


Simplifying the sector’s qualifications


STEPHEN STUDD is chief executive of SkillsActive


Te changes will make it difficult for firms to recruit non-EU workers


Area (EEA) immigrants in the UK workforce. Te Home Office has already announced that in future, only graduate-level EEA workers will be allowed to apply to come to the UK.


Report calls for vocational shake-up peTe hayman


A study commissioned by education secretary Michael Gove has called for a major shake-up of the provision of vocational courses. Te Wolf Review – carried


out by Professor Alison Wolf from King’s College London – found that up to 400,000 young people aged between 16-19-years-old are currently studying on courses that have “little value”. Wolf also said that students without a C grade in GCSE English and Maths should continue to study those subjects post-16. Recommendations for reform include the


F


or some time, employers have requested a simple entry route for people wanting to enter the leisure sector, as well as clear pathways for


those looking to progress. With the histor- ically large number of qualifications and training available, it has been unclear to young people which courses are valued. Through the emergence of the new


Qualifications and Credit Framework (the government-backed framework for all publicly-funded qualifications in England Wales and Northern Ireland), we have worked with employers to rationalise more than 1,000 previously recognised qualifica- tions to around 300. However, employers in the leisure operations and management sector require more clarity when it comes to the key qualifications that support their workforce. We can now offer this. Working closely with employers, training


providers and awarding organisations, we have led the development of a single qual- ifications framework for leisure operations and management. It initially covers qualifi- cations that support the roles of recreation assistant and duty manager. It is a direct response to those looking for more clarity in the qualification landscape. By working directly with employers, an


Professor Wolf proposed a radical reform of UK vocational education Professor Wolf said: “We have many


removal of “perverse incentives” for students to enter low-quality courses and enabling 14-16-year-olds to enrol in colleges. Directly involving employers in assessment activities is another measure to be proposed.


vocational qualifications that are great and institutions which are providing an excellent education and are heavily oversubscribed. “But we also have hundreds of thousands of


young people taking qualifications that have little or no value.”


EHFA launches leadership programme Tom walkeR


European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) will host an executive leadership pro- gramme in Barcelona, Spain, this summer. Taking place between 6 and 10 June – at the IESE Business School – the interactive and


© CYBERTREK 2011


agreed set of standard qualifications has been identified for these important roles within the sector. By putting employers at the heart of this process, we have addressed the key skills required for their current and future workforce, with a particular empha- sis on customer care. Tese developments are also reflected in improved programmes of learning within the sector. The first set of qualifications will be


intensive one-week programme has been spe- cifically designed to help health and fitness professionals sharpen their leadership skills and broaden their vision of the sector. Te programme will be operated under the EHFA University banner.


Twitter: @leisureopps


available on the Qualifications and Credit Framework in April. We are now starting work to expand the Single Qualifications Framework to include qualifications that support other key roles in the sec- tor, including customer care advisers and higher management level roles. For more information on the framework, visit: www.skillsactive.com.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 19


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