Summary
The active leisure sector (fitness and outdoor sectors) has intensively worked on its own skills agenda in recent years. It recognises the importance of the need for an implementation plan based on the policy recommendations of the Expert Group on Human Resources Development and EU New Skills Agenda. Accordingly, the project focuses on developing new skills for current and future workers, for improving employability of young people, and supporting entrepreneurship and growth across the sector.
The project especially reflects on the changing roles of fitness and outdoor workers in developing skills to meet new digital technologies, promoting health-enhancing physical activity (sometimes with other healthcare professionals), and working with special population groups.
It also contributes to build the permanent structures the sector will require to ensure transparency and objectivity for future skills and human resources development with the sector skills alliance for active leisure, and a European warding organisation
Objectives
1) To create an evidence base to identify skills gaps in the active leisure sector;
2) To promote the benefits of the learning experience and gaining of the qualifications for developing wider skills for employability and personal well-being as well as supporting the growth of the community;
3) The contribution of active leisure to the employability of young people and the creation of jobs in the sport and active leisure-related labour markets;
4) To develop a Blueprint for Skills Cooperation and Employment in Active Leisure.
Outcomes
1) Blueprint for Skills Cooperation and Employment in Active Leisure
2) Research of EU28 on current use of qualifications based in active leisure
3) Research on skills foresight (IO3)
4) Scoping of the European Awarding Organisation for the active leisure sector
5) New and updated qualification for fitness (personal trainer) and outdoors (animator) for pan-European use
6) Application of ECVET and ECTS to new qualifications
7) Promoting benefits of the learning experience and employability (of young people) in active leisure
8) Validation of informal and non-formal learning in active leisure
9) Testing, trialling and refining development of new qualifications, awarding organisation and recognition of prior learning
10) Active leisure qualifications incorporated into NQFs
11) Recognition of individual achievement through a professional card system
12) Maintaining the role of the sector skills alliance for active leisure.
Link to the Active Leisure Alliance website
Factsheets on Sport Qualifications Acquired through Sport Organisations and (Sport) Educational Institutes can be found here
