SkillsActive: The SSC for Active Leisure, Learning and Well-Being Apprenticeship development in Wales

Introduction Briefly discuss the broader world of SSCs Insight into SkillsActive Apprenticeships across the Active Leisure, Learning and Well-Being sector Government legislation related to Apprenticeship The future…….

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) Independent, employer-led, UK-wide organisations Building a skills system based on employer demand Umbrella body – Federation for Industry Sector Skills and Standards (FISS) 18 SSCs and 5 SSBs (Standard Setting Bodies) Working with 550,000 employers to define skills needs and skills standards Circa 90% of all industries covered by a specific SSC or SSB Employer voice to Government on skills related issues Shift from core to contestable funding model! USP – National Occupational Standards (NOS) / Apprenticeship Frameworks

SSC for Active Leisure Learning and Well-Being Sport, Fitness, The Outdoors, Playwork, Caravans, Hair and Beauty

SkillsActive Mission: Delivering the Workforce for the Nations Well-Being SkillsActive Vision: ‘More People, Better Skilled, Better Qualified’

Partnership Working Employers – Public, Private and not for profit Employer Bodies – CIMSPA, Outdoor Partnership, WATO National Governing Bodies of Sport Training providers – FE, HE and private commercial providers Awarding Organisations Welsh Government – DfES, DEST, Sports Policy, Major Events Unit, Children and Families Government agencies – Sport Wales, Colegau Cymru, HEFCW, Job Centre plus, Careers Wales

NOS USP – National Occupational Standards (NOS) Contestable funding through UKCES ‘Universal Services’ NOS - UK-wide ( “statements of the standards of performance an individual must achieve when carrying out functions in the workplace”. NOS form the basis of ‘accredited’ qualifications that sit on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and CQFW. Recent NOS developments across the sector: Spectator Safety, Outdoor Programmes, Sports Coaching, Fitness WELSH LANGUAGE VERSIONS IN DEVELOPMENT

Apprenticeships Formal Welsh Government funded programmes (not in-house training) Employer led / Ethos – earning and learning simultaneously USP - SkillsActive – ‘Framework Developer’ and ‘Issuing Authority’ Apprenticeship Frameworks Online (AFO) – repository Framework development – Contestable funding through UKCES Apprenticeship delivery funded by Welsh Government to providers Generally Level 2/3 – X15 available for public funding in Wales includes: Coaching, Leisure Man., Activity Leadership, Outdoor Programmes

Outdoor Programmes - SPFP Sector Priorities Fund Pilot (SPFP) Programme – to December 2014 Department for Education and Skills (DfES) competitive fund (£13m) Aim – to inform recommendations which will ensure that the delivery of post 16 skills provision is more aligned to the needs of employers “Development and delivery of SASW compliant Level 3 Apprenticeships across Sport and Active Leisure” Allowed SkillsActive to develop Outdoor Programmes (L3) and pilot to 25 learners pan Wales Project evaluation commissioned – Arad research

Welsh Government legislation The Specification for Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW) Criteria imposed – statutory requirements to be met through frameworks Mandatory elements: Competence qualification, knowledge based qualification, Essential Skills Wales and Employee Rights and Responsibilities. Focus on QCF accredited qualifications on the QCF, NOS based qualifications, minimum credit values Eligibility – Focus on 16-24, employed with a contract, circa 25 hours a week, Paid NMW for Apprenticeships (£2.73). Challenges – SMEs, sector seasonality, NGB qualifications, Over 25’s.

The future….. Welsh Government new ‘policy statement on skills’ and underpinning implementation plan (July 2014). Potential change? – ‘Consult on the future of Apprenticeship frameworks’ Austerity measures / cuts Co-investment…Employers to pay more Nominal contribution for over 25’s from Welsh Government (50% max) Apprenticeships still a key theme; particularly Higher Apprenticeships (Level 4 and above) SkillsActive to develop Higher Apprenticeship Framework for the Outdoors?

Thanks for listening! Richard Tobutt National Manager Wales SkillsActive Tel: Any Questions???????