Rural counties challenged to bring employers on board
One of the issues faced by Skills Active when implementing the new Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure in rural counties across England is that employer engagement is likely to be more difficult.
“Across the country, these new diplomas are being led by employers within the industry,” says Graham Moore, 14-19 Development Officer at Shropshire County Council. “In this county, the largest employers in the sector are the county and borough councils themselves, we don’t have any of the big sports employers such as large fitness chains so external employer engagement is going to be more difficult than it would be elsewhere in more urban areas of the country.”
Collaborative working
Recognising this early as a potential problem, Graham has already started to work with the local Education Business Partnership (EBP), which runs a very strong work experience placement scheme.
“Working with our local EBP is the best route into targeting the smaller employers across the county who will be providing many of the work placements that will be essential to a successful diploma,” he explains.
Before taking on his current role Graham was head of PE at a state secondary school in
Shrewsbury. He is now on the steering group for the Skills Active Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure and is positive about the way that Skills Active is setting up this new diploma, especially involving the Awarding Bodies from the beginning.
“One of the benefits of being in the third wave of these new National Diplomas roll-out is that we can learn what is working best in the development of diplomas from other sector skills councils,” he says. “I’m delighted with the strong leadership and clear objectives of the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure steering group which will help us a great deal as we talk to employers.”
Employers help shape new recruits
Graham points out that whilst keen to welcome a new diploma, employers will want to know what’s in it for them and their business.
“Smaller businesses especially need to understand why this diploma is some steps in front of what is already offered. I think that most of them will see the relevance of businesses being involved in the delivery of the diploma, because they are helping to shape employees who can contribute more, earlier, to the future growth of their business.”
“One of the benefits of being in the third wave of national diploma roll-out is that we can learn what is working best in the development of diplomas from other sector skills councils. The Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure steering group has strong leadership which will help us a great deal as we talk and engage with employers.”
Graham Moore, 14-19 Development Officer, Children and Young People’s Services, Shropshire County Council
Sports and leisure businesses don’t want just good basic skills and strong sector knowledge, he says. “Equally as important are the soft skills such as communication and clear thinking – that’s what’s going to make a different to the small and medium-sized employer.”
He also adds that schools need to understand the great opportunities that the new Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure will offer their students.
“This Diploma will give students the work related experience that will really help them understand what a career in the industry will mean. It is our hope that schools will endorse and adopt the applied learning approach that will help young people of all abilities to develop and progress their skills to whatever level they wish.”
