A snapshot of just some of the 'Skills work’ underway across local Active Partnerships
Here are some examples of the different work underway from Active Partnerships, all striving to address their local skills challenges within their local sector.
Active Suffolk - Active Skills project
The Active Skills Project is now at the halfway point, following the success of securing over £170,000 of funding from the Suffolk Inclusive Growth Investment Fund, Suffolk County Council and The Chartered Institute of the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA) to upskill the Sport & Physical Activity workforce.
The project is providing employers and instructors with the opportunity and financial support to access a range of qualifications and CPD with the aim of addressing skills gaps within the sector and upskilling employees particularly in the prevention and management of long-term health conditions; an area of which was identified as a top priority training need in the Sport & Physical Activity Sector Skills Strategy.
What’s more they are working with FE and HE which includes, Suffolk New College having launched their redesigned L2 in Sport, Leisure and Fitness in September, with local employer Ipswich Borough Council offering work placement opportunities to 15 students who will benefit from hands on experience working at sports facilities in Ipswich. They will receive training in customer service, and other front of house operations as well as gain a thorough understanding of gym and fitness programmes and coaching for both children and adults. Click here for more info.
Active Essex – Building an understanding of the current churn of within the sector
Active Essex have been working closely with employers and education/skills providers to develop a closer working relationship via their Skills Advisory Board. Alongside this, working with an Organisational Psychologist they have developed an Organisational Diagnostic Tool which is being piloted with a small number Essex SPA organisations. The tool focuses on People & Culture, asking questions on employee wellbeing, harm prevention, learning & development, recruitment and satisfaction. This has been pursued with the aim of understanding what is behind the ongoing churn cycle within the sector, and exploring what needs to change, enhance retention rates and make the sector a great place to work. They are exploring what 'good' looks like, and how that can inform the future practise for other organisations in the sector. This work all sits under their recent People, Culture and Skills Framework.
Active Together - Skills Trailblazer work
Active Together are continuing to progress the Skills Trailblazer work, connecting employers with the local FE colleges and refining the next steps and focus areas. As recruitment and retention are real challenges for businesses, clubs and organisations at the moment, this is adding an additional incentive for employers to work with the local colleges and play an active part in contributing to the curriculum, providing voluntary/placement experiences and generally connecting directly with tutors. The Local Skills Advisory Board is up and running and the Skills Action Plan is being refined and developed further to address the needs which employers have highlighted.
Active Humber’s - Chair of the Hull & East Yorkshire LEP Skills Network
David Gent is the Chair of the Hull & East Yorkshire LEP Skills Network, not for the sport and physical activity sector specifically, but focusing on the skills needed for all sectors in the HEYLEP area. The Network is focusing on the LSIP (Local Skills Improvement Plan) roll out across Hull & East Yorkshire and understanding the wider skills landscape. Softer skills as well as others are expected to be raised as an area of interest. The physical activity and sport sector could provide extensive opportunities to build softer skills as part of peoples their journey towards work in any sector. Providing employers across all sectors more candidates with the skills they need.
So, what can we do as an Active Partnership network?
To ensure we have a fit for purpose workforce to support people lead active lives there are a number of areas we can work together on.
- Keep picking up the hooks and ideas from other areas and consider how you could apply these learnings.
- Build your awareness and connections with your wider sector.
- Watch out for any up-and-coming news items and sessions where more information will be shared.
- Recruiting, training, sustaining and retaining a representative workforce isn’t all about recruitment. Have you considered:-
- Exploring and understanding Generation Z in an effort to enhance working practices
- Reading this report detailing Returning to the workplace – the motivations and barriers for people aged 50 years and over, Great Britain - Office for National Statistics
Up and coming national campaigns:
- National Apprenticeship Week 6th – 12th Feb 2023 - National Apprenticeship Week (appawards.co.uk)
- National Careers Week - 2023: 6th - 11th March - Welcome - National Careers Week
