Employers lead fight to improve workforce skills

Leisure industry chiefs have united to broaden and enhance the quality of training for all staff and to simplify the qualification structure for the industry.

Minister for Sport Gerry Sutcliffe MP, hosted a landmark agreement organised by the National Skills Academy in January. The Employer Skills Protocol commits the industry leaders to work together through SkillsActive to create and use a single skills training and qualification framework and to only source training that has been assessed and approved by the National Skills Academy.

Backing the new plan, Mr. Sutcliffe said:

'This is a great example of employers taking responsibility for their sector with the support of the National Skills Academy. Many other industries have established a single skills and qualification framework and the success of the British economy is entwined with the increased productivity that comes from a well skilled workforce. The leisure industry clearly sees this need to act.'

Specifically, the agreement details that signatories will:

• work with the National Skills Academy to identify and develop quality training for the industry
• work with SkillsActive to develop a single qualifications structure  
• work with the training providers approved by the National Skills Academy - effectively developing a kite mark for skills training across the leisure industry.
• have a specific training plan for their employees' personal development
• ensure all current and prospective staff  have a 'skills passport' detailing their skills and experience in a universally standard way.
• support the inception and development of  a Chartered Institute for Sport

Speaking about the protocol Florence Orban, Chief Executive of the National Skills Academy said:

'The National Skills Academy, in partnership with our sector skills council, SkillsActive, is working with employers to lead a change in culture towards better education and career progression. A lot of hard work lies ahead of us but with the commitment shown by industry I am confident that we shall see a changed industry with more clarity in training and skills development leading to improved business productivity. To achieve such change this process must be led by employers'.

Leading employers have now taken the initiative to form a group of employer representatives nominated by SPORTA, LCMA, FIA and CLOA. This group will now lead the development of the protocol, supported by the National Skills Academy and the SkillsActive Group. Working in partnership with theses associations, there will then be further consultation across the leisure industry to develop the protocol.