Workforce Development Update

Edition 29: 8 December 2009

Dear all,
 
Welcome to the latest update from the Workforce Development team, consisting of the Institute of Swimming (IoS), Awarding Body and Coaching Systems.
 
IoS
The team are working towards achievement of the Training Quality Standard, a quality mark for training providers.  This is a major project which covers how the organisation operates across a range of areas such as marketing, employer engagement, customer relations management and HR, as well as the physical training itself.
 
IoS will shortly be running our first Certificate for Tutoring in Sport course following approval from 1st 4 sport, the awarding body for the qualification.  This three day Level 3 course is an essential element of the tutor training programme which comprises five Modules: Delivering a Learning Session; Learning Principles into Practice; Facilitation Skills; Tailoring and Developing Learning and Classroom based Facilitation.
 
The current batch of tutors are nearing completion of the tutor training programme, click here to see the story of candidate Sarah Slowgrove.

Awarding Body
Processing timescales for licensing applications has been improved.   We are receiving approximately 37 licence applications per month and a similar number of renewals.
 
The review of examination papers has almost been completed and we are looking to make some amendments in line with guidance concerning dyslexic candidates and candidates with learning difficulties.
 
We have recently invited feedback from tutors and formed a working party to look at a new tutor licensing scheme to be launched next year.  This process has involved a selected number of tutors from various Approved Centres who completed a questionnaire and then attended a follow up working party meeting at the end of November.  This consultancy process has proved extremely beneficial and is shaping a new scheme that will be more relevant and fit for purpose.
 
We have progressed onto phase 2 of the Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator) development project and our involvement with a dedicated consultant continues. We are developing new Approved Centre documents and this will lead to the review and revision of the Policies and Operations Manual. Our consultant has begun a process of internal audits to review current procedures and identify areas for development which involves awarding body administrators, management and external verifiers. We are hoping that this work will provide us with a strong foundation for the Qualifications and Credit Framework supplementary application process early next year.
 
Coaching Systems Team
The ASA Development Framework for Teaching & Coaching in England 2009-2013, which was launched at the ASA council conference in October, has been sent to over 30,000 teachers and coaches in England. (Click here to read more and download a copy). Feedback on the framework has been requested and will be built into the development work taking place.
 
Candidates taking part in the Advanced Coaching Offer attended their first sessions as part of this programme, assisting on ASA English Talent programme development camps on the last weekend in November.
 
Finally, the Aquatic Workforce Audit conducted by the team has now closed – the results are currently being compiled and will be available in the near future.  The prize draws have been made and the lucky winners can now be announced.......Gravesend and Northfleet Swimming Club have a free place on an ASA/UKCC Level 3 Coaching Swimming course. Greenwich Leisure Ltd and Crewe Swimming Pool are both the beneficiaries of a free place on an ASA/UKCC Level 2 course (any discipline).
 
John Digby, Head Coach of Norwich Swan Swimming Club said of his prize of a place on an ASA/UKCC Level 1 course: "On behalf of Norwich Swan Swimming Club may I say how delighted and honoured we all are to receive this excellent prize.  What this means for us, on a practical basis, is that we are now in a position to bring forward our plans for teachers and coaches education. The effects of the audit are undoubtedly to provide encouragement and incentive to clubs - here at Norwich Swan we have considered the quality of our workforce in more detail, particularly with regard to the overall professionalism of our teaching & coaching staff."
 
Grantham Water Polo Club and Warminster Sports Centre can also send a candidate on an ASA/UKCC Level 1 course (any discipline) for free and Burnley Borough Council have £100 to spend at the ASA Awards Centre.
 
The next update will be in January 2010 so Happy Christmas and see you next year!

If you would like future editions of this update emailed straight to you as soon as they become available, please send your contact details to claire.freeman@swimming.org

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