Around 6,000 people are to benefit from ASA courses this year after the Institute of Swimming (IoS) was awarded the Centre of Excellence for Aquatics Instruction. The new status, awarded by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, will mean swimming teachers and coaches across the country can gain increased access to high quality, industry-recognised training whilst the IoS identifies and meets the needs of the sector.
The ASA courses – some of which are locally funded - and CPD seminars delivered by the Institute of Swimming, in partnership with the Skills Academy, include: Certificates for Teaching Aquatics, Coaching Swimming, Coaching Diving, Coaching Synchronised Swimming and Aquatic Fitness Endorsed Training Awards such as Aqua Jogging and Aqua Fit – to name a few.
This new partnership promises to play a big part in allowing the IoS to achieve its objectives. Michael Hallewell, Workforce Development Quality Manager, feels this agreement offers many benefits for the members, customers and partners of the IoS, making a significant impact on the numbers and quality of swimming teachers in the UK.
He says: “We are delighted that the Institute of Swimming has become the Centre of Excellence for Aquatic Instruction in England. The Skills Academy will play a big role in making our training and education courses more accessible through providing a ‘one stop shop’ approach for our customers.
“To achieve this status, we underwent a rigorous tendering process to show the quality, credibility and coverage of our training provision. The accreditation also enables us to receive national and regional support from the Skills Academy which will ensure the education programme reflects the needs of the swimming workforce within each area and should really benefit our customers.”
The joined up approach will also contribute to the success of swimming initiatives by increasing the quantity and quality of the delivery of swimming teaching. In fact, the government’s free swimming initiative is an important part of their plans to secure a lasting legacy from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, plus get two million people more active and more healthy. The IoS and Skills Academy will therefore play a vital role in training the staff needed to cope with the demands.
ENDS
For more information please contact ASA PR Assistant Claire Freeman on claire.freeman@swimming.org or 01509 632 262.
National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure
For more information on the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, please contact Clare Taylor at Promote PR on 01628 630363 or email clare@promotepr.com
The National Skills Academy network is the new gold standard for industry training, aiming to improve productivity and tackle skills shortages across England. There are currently 10 active Academies across various sectors with a further six in the business planning stage.
Each National Skills Academy puts employers at the heart of skills training for their sector: taking control of the design and delivery of learning in their industry, working in partnership with government and top training providers, from both the public and private sectors. Employers influence the curriculum to ensure it reflects employers’ needs; are involved in the academy’s management; set standards; and influence strategic direction.
The National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, part of the SkillsActive Group, has been created to provide one single, coherent approach to skills training in the sector. All training, qualifications and careers will be employer-led and employer-directed, ensuring better quality, more targeted training and better access to funds for training.
By 2010 the skills academy will operate via nine regional hubs throughout England. The first four hubs commenced operation last year in London, the North West, Yorkshire & Humber and the South East. The London hub will initially be at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre, before moving into the London 2012 Legacy Park immediately after the Games. The others are located at Sheffield United FC and the University of Cumbria.
People can also access the best training resources virtually. The new Online Academy will be the first port of call for learners to find out about the skills needed to enter the sector or to progress their career. For employers, the website will provide valuable information about recognised training providers and advice on how to make the most effective use of staff training budgets.
More information can be found on www.sportactivensa.co.uk
The ASA & IoS
The ASA is the English National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Water Polo, Open Water and Synchronised Swimming. It organises competition throughout England, establishes the Laws of the Sport and operates comprehensive certification and education programmes for Teachers, Coaches and Officials as well as its renowned Learn to Swim Awards scheme. The ASA supports 1,220 affiliated swimming clubs through a National/Regional/County structure. The ASA aims to ensure everybody has an opportunity to learn to swim.
In order to comply with national education and training standards it has developed two separate and independent arms – the ASA Awarding Body and the Institute of Swimming (IoS) - which represent the awarding and delivery channels for all ASA qualifications.
The ASA Awarding Body develops, assesses, awards and quality assures all ASA qualifications. It is the equivalent of other awarding bodies such as City & Guilds and OCR (Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations). The ASA Awarding Body is licensed by British Swimming to award qualifications in England and Wales. It also has the remit for quality assurance of all areas of UKCC standards.
The Institute of Swimming (IoS) is a licensed training provider, one of many ASA Awarding Body Approved Centres. The IoS is also a membership body for qualified swimming teachers and coaches, providing insurance, advice and learning opportunities for its members. As the premier provider of the ASA's courses and a member organisation, the IoS is at the cutting edge of teacher and coach education, from running the latest UKCC through to giving members access to professional advice.
About British Gas
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