UKACTIVE UPDATE VANGUARD
A WORKFORCE THAT WORKS
ukactive CEO David Stalker discusses the proposed move towards a single organisation covering all skills and workforce development
T
he first ever ukactive Active Training Conference took place on 26 March, bringing together the sector’s key training and workforce
development organisations. Working with CIMSPA and SkillsActive, I was delighted to see so many key people in attendance. The development of the individuals
working within our sector has never been more important, and we saw a series of presentations – as well as extremely passionate discussions during the panel sessions – that focused on making sure this agenda continues to move forward. Only by having a workforce that’s fit for purpose can we begin to deliver on the promise of reducing inactivity and making sure our sector is prepared for the years to come.
One single body What became clear throughout the day was the need and appetite for a single skills development body. The leading employers from the physical activity sector made calls for skills and workforce development to sit within a single organisation to provide a unified outlook on skills. What emerged were three guiding
principles of workforce development. Firstly, the custodianship of standards and the framework for skills should sit
health club
Public Affairs Media Partner management
A minimum standard for assessment and delivery of fitness qualifications is needed
within one body. Secondly, there should be a continuum of training provision across further education and higher education. And thirdly, we need a minimum standard for assessment and
LEARNING FROM BEYOND OUR SECTOR
The conference also presented a great opportunity for the sector to introduce itself to a host of new organisations with a long tradition of developing workforces across sectors and ages. Of particular note was the presentation by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers. This body, which is responsible for the wellbeing of the education workforce, was very forthright in its challenge to employers in our sector: to come and talk to teachers. Apprenticeships are all well and good, but how can teachers – without ever having been truly engaged by leisure as an economic unit – truly sell what we are all about? On the flip side, groups like Pearson – the largest awarding body in the country
(and dreaded producer of GCSE exam papers) – discussed how they have engaged other sectors with graduate-level recruitment. Of course we need the best and the brightest on the gym floor, but we need them at head office as well.
24 Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
delivery protocol across all qualifications within the health and fitness sector. ukactive, CIMSPA and SkillsActive will
now discuss the timeframe and details of delivering this sector-led change. However, the consensus is that the process should be led by employers – that it’s vital our agenda is fully out in the open and truly led by employers. They, rather than the sector’s skills bodies, should be the king- makers in this crucial process. This all follows on from the ongoing
Trailblazer project, in which employers were tasked with developing an apprenticeship standard. The future of apprenticeships was a key discussion point at the March event, with a clear need for greater levels of communication between education providers and employers. For further insight into this topic, including
details of the next phase of the review, please see our news feature on page 15. ●
May 2015 © Cybertrek 2015
PHOTO:
WWW.SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/TYLER OLSON
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92