TRAINING


The value of qualifications and training to careers


IAN TAYLOR is chief executive at Skills Active


Premier Global bought by US learning firm


Premier Global, the parent com- pany of Premier Training and Active IQ, has been acquired by the US-based technology learning solu- tions firm Ascend Learning. UK-based health and fitness


trainer Premier Global launched in 1992 and founder Norman Basson believes the deal will help kickstart the next phase of development. Having registered an 85 per


T


oday’s young people are facing consistently high levels of com- petition in getting on to, and progressing up, the career ladder.


With this in mind, and in recognition of the 853,000 unemployed young people (16-24) in this country, SkillsActive has launched its Quality Training Portal (QTP). Te QTP aims to assist those wishing to


enter and develop their careers – in sport, fit- ness, outdoors, playwork, and hair or beauty sectors – acquire the relevant skills and qual- ifications by providing access to all available and accredited training in one place. As a Sector Skills Council, SkillsActive


aims to attract qualified, skilled people to our sectors and increase retention rates through the creation of clear career path- ways: the Quality Training Portal is one way to provide resources to this end. Te Portal is important both for those first starting out and looking for qualifications as well as those developing their careers and keeping their knowledge up-to-date and relevant through earning CPD points, which is espe- cially important in ever-changing sectors where the latest skills are always in demand. In offering accessible training to indus-


try professionals, we must ensure that what training is available is fit-for-purpose. Endorsed training has been formed by sea- soned industry professionals who have not only consulted employers, but have looked to bridge existing skills gaps in industry. Employers are seeking qualified, tal-


ented, skilled young people that are able to meet requirements and satisfy their own and public expectations. Qualifications are essential for demonstrating to employers that an aspiring professional has the right abilities and skills for a particular job. As a result, thousands of training oppor-


tunities have been subject to rigorous assessments and criteria to ensure that they deliver the right level of skill to those tak- ing part. Te value of endorsed training is to ensure that all employees and aspiring professionals are well-placed to embark on ,or develop, their chosen career.


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cent growth in profit for 2013, Premier will join other compa- nies in the Ascend portfolio such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine, ATI Nursing Education, Jones and Bartlett Learning and the National Healthcareer Association. Te financial details behind the deal have not yet been disclosed. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts,


CEO of Premier Global Debra Stuart is pleased with the deal “Ascend Learning is a really well established


and Leawood, Kansas, Ascend has col- laborated with colleges, universities and healthcare providers in the US to deliver learning content and soſtware for vocational education. Specialising in nursing, allied healthcare and wellness, Ascend says that it has acquired Premier Global as a means of continuing to extend and develop its foot- print across international markets.


firm in the US, and is known for offering real quality in learning for vocational education,” said Debra Stuart, CEO of Premier Global. “From the Premier Global perspective, this


acquisition comes at an exciting time and gives us even greater support and momen- tum to deliver on our growth targets within the UK and beyond in the next three to five years.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=T8C7n


New training portal offers video library


Qualifications provider Focus Training has developed a new online portal for fitness professionals under- taking courses, complete with a video library of exercise demonstrations. The student portal is designed


to provide a more interactive and engaging online learning experi- ence. In addition to the video aspect, the portal also features interac- tive graphics to aid understanding of physiology and a function that enables students to complete mul- tiple choice worksheets online. Te portal is currently available


to all students enrolled on Level 2 Gym Instructor and Exercise to Music courses and also the Level 3 Personal Training Diploma. According to Focus Training, plans are in place to add additional courses to the portal in the near future. “Tis is a big step forward; we have invested


Plans are in place to soon add more courses to the portal


Focus operations director Ben Jackson. “Gone are the days of the workbook – our


heavily in developing a very user-friendly system to assist our students in successfully completing both the theory and practical elements of personal training courses,” said


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


portal service is the modern day alternative, much more akin with today’s student learn- ing preferences. Our whole system has been radically improved and streamlined since its introduction, aiding everything from student completion to faster marking turnaround.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=C3Z8j


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2014


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