Posted: 05/08/24
College welcomes skills plan for sport and physical activity sector
West Nottinghamshire College has welcomed the implementation of a local skills plan for sport and physical activity.
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The college provides a range of courses in partnership with CIMSPA, designed to prepare students for careers in the sport and leisure industry.
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Nikki Slack, assistant principal for health, education and service industries, said the college has seen “great results from bolstering our coaching and fitness practitioner professional qualifications with CIMSPA.”
The plan identifies key skills improvements, workforce challenges and priorities for sport and physical activity in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, as well as recommendations and actions to shape future work.
It has been developed by the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Skills Accountability Board, made up of local employers, education providers including the college, the health sector and employability-focused organisations, and is backed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
The sport and physical activity local skills plan aims to support the wider Local Skills Improvement Plan for the area.
Research by Active Notts – part of the network of Active Partnerships across the country, supported by Sport England – research reveals that 26% of adults in the county are inactive, and 17% of adults in the city do no activity at all. One-in-three children and young people are also inactive in the region.
The plan, which runs from 2024-2027, has four key recommendations for the sector:
- To recruit, train, support and retain a more inclusive and diverse workforce;
- Ensure our workforce use the local health data and statistics;
- Support individuals in understanding the entry points and career opportunities to drive their own professional development;
- Ensure a robust education provision that delivers employment application guidance and quality work placements.
It can be accessed here: www.cimspa.co.uk/notts-lsab
Marked as the second local skills plan to be released by the sport and physical activity sector, the document follows the announcement of the new Government body, Skills England, which will focus on regional disparities and skills gaps.
After embedding a skills hub manager into local regions nationally, CIMSPA has been working with key stakeholders in local areas to establish Local Skills Accountability Boards, with the main outcome being to understand local priority within their given county.
Clare Dunn, associate director of business engagement at CIMSPA said: “We are so pleased to be working collectively with the incredible organisations that have contributed towards the creation of this local skills plan. Sport and physical activity provision must reflect the local needs of participants, but also employers, deployers and our sector workforce.
“At a time when the government have shifted their focus to supporting local areas in developing the skilled workforce that they need, this plan will act as a roadmap for our sector and a clear starting point.
“Not only will this plan make an impact for our sector, but it will also support other sectors in the area to provide them with a healthier and fitter workforce.
“This is a step in the right direction to provide the right people with the right skills and training to support their local communities and strategies, whilst also strengthening the appeal of careers in the sport and physical activity sector.”
Jack Garner, regional director at Serco Leisure and chair of the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Local Skills Accountability Board, said: “I am delighted to see the launch of the local skills plan for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The key to the plan is to showcase the importance of the sport and physical activity sector in the Nottinghamshire community, and the social value it produces for all residents.
“The plan is now very much live and taking action to improve the skills of people already in the sector and the staff members of the future on their educational journeys.”
Nikki Slack, assistant principal of health, education and service industries at West Nottinghamshire College, said: “This local skills plan will help to bring together employability-focused organisations who are committed to enhancing and developing skills within the sports and physical activity sector.
“It’s crucial to begin to focus on the specific needs and skills gaps of both health and leisure organisations, as well as those aspiring to go into rewarding careers in this sector.
“Together, these partner organisations can build an intelligent picture of what is needed to boost qualifications and employability skills in this growing industry, as well as helping our communities to understand more about healthier lifestyles and the job opportunities available.
“At West Nottinghamshire College, we have already seen great results from bolstering our coaching and fitness practitioner professional qualifications with CIMSPA. The professional standards attached to CIMSPA brings great kudos to the programmes and our students have benefited from enrichment activities within the workplace, which has often led to meaningful placements and employment opportunities.
“We’re looking forward to being able to expand our course provision, which originally started at Level 2, progressing to Level 3. There is much scope to look at accrediting a Level 4 management pathway, to enable more individuals to progress their skills and careers in this exciting area of work.”
The college provides a range of courses in partnership with CIMSPA, designed to prepare students a career in the sport and leisure industry. These include:
