Workforce News Updates
The Workforce Development Update keeps you up-to-date with all the latest news relating to teaching and coaching. Read the latest edition here!
Edition 53: 25 January 2012
ASA Workforce Development (inc. ASA Awarding Body)
A standardisation test has been introduced for all licensed tutors, internal verifiers and assessors with the aim of improving course quality and reducing the requirement for external verification. Successful individuals will not normally be subject to external verification for up to 2 years. The Awarding Body are providing supporting training and the opportunity to sit practice test papers, for more information email qualityassurance@swimming.org.
New fast track option
New fast track fees have been introduced for those learners wishing to process exemptions, overseas comparisons and replacement certificate requests within 7 days, details of additional fees accessed here.
New introductory teaching qualification
You may have heard mention of a new qualification called PTLLS which refers to the ASA Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector. It prepares learners for teaching in a wide range of contexts and does not require trainees to be actually teaching. It is designed for learners who:
- would like or require an introduction to teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
- are seeking career progression within their area of work
- are seeking to progress towards attaining Associate Teacher (ATLS) or Qualified Teacher (QTLS) status
- teach / tutor courses that aren't publicly funded or
- are trainers in industry.
Selected workforce are currently receiving training and more information about this qualification and its delivery and assessment mechanisms will be circulated nearer the time everything becomes finalised.
Spring Training Programme
The new training programme has been annnounced with three new sessions: 'Roles and Responsibilities of the Tutor', 'Diverse Methods of Assessment' and 'The Use of ICT in Effective Delivery and Assessment' which are all linked to the new Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector qualification. The full training programme and booking form are available here.
OFSTED inspection
The IoS have recently been subject to an OFSTED inspection, with the feedback being very positive. The final grading is still to be confirmed but all signs are pointing towards a significant improvement from the last visit. More news will be announced once the final grading can be confirmed.
Careers advice and guidance
Teachers and coaches will shortly be receiving the next 'Shaping your Career' newsletter which contains useful tips on starting or developing a career in aquatics as well as notifications on job vacancies. The introductory issue was distributed to over 8,000 individuals and proved extremely popular. Anyone interested in receiving future issues can sign up here.
Give your views on course promotions
At the recent IoS open afternoon the team received some great feedback about a range of posters which promote IoS courses. If you didn't get chance to go along on the day, now's your chance to add your views. The posters are being re-developed and we would love to have as much feedback as possible. View examples of the existing posters here.
Simply email simon.stevens@swimming.org and let him know which poster you are referring to. We will also be obtaining learner feedback next month so watch this space for announcements on the new versions.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Last year the IoS began to offer Recognition of Prior Learning to learners, which is an alternative route to achieving a qualification through recognition of learning gained through experience or informal environments. Forty learners have now gained the latest QCF qualifications through this method. This will be a focus in coming months but in the meantime more information is available here.
Click on the links below to view archive news updates:
Edition 52: 21 December 2011
ASA Workforce Development (inc. ASA Awarding Body)
Members of the team attended a Federation of Awarding Bodies conference in Kenilworth recently. The two day event included numerous seminars and networking opportunities and proved to be an engaging and productive conference which has provided insight into future developments.
The Awarding Body has gained accreditation to award The ASA Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (QCF). More information on this new qualification to follow in the New Year.
Preparation of new Qualification Guides
The team are working with marketing and design to create a brand new set of Qualification Guides to replace the current Learner Assessment Portfolios.
Designed with the learner in mind they will provide details of the qualification structure, content, assessment and opportunities for progression. They will help learners in their understanding and achievement of the qualification and are not assessment tools.
With a scheduled launch date for April, the new guides will cover the full range of QCF qualifications.
Institute of Swimming
Courses Update
Following the news last month of the new Level 2 Fitness Instructing Water Based Exercise (Aqua) course, there has been much interest with learners already starting to work through the Aqua core units ready to train to become an aqua instructor.
New units have been booked for Level 3 Certificate for Coaching Swimming in London, Loughborough and Coventry for dates in 2012. Please visit www.theiosonline.com for details.
Exhibiting Training and Apprenticeships
The IoS exhibited at the Careers in Sport and Leisure event in Telford on Wednesday 30th November and Thursday 1st December. The IoS stand offered information on gaining aquatic training (level 1 and 2 courses) and apprenticeships. We also presented a session called Apprenticeship through a National Governing Body.
The event was successful and generated interest from new customers and teachers looking to progress.
Special guide for course organisers
To help course organisers understand the processes involved and the requirements of their site, the IoS have produced a comprehensive guide. Download the guide here for details of :
- Range of qualifications
- Development seminars
- How to become an IoS site
- Responsibilities of a course organiser
- How to book a qualification
- Course resources
- Who's who and FAQs
IoS opens the doors for learning
The IoS team recently welcomed both internal and external contacts to meet the team and learn more about the department.
It was a great opportunity to interact and gain feedback and the visitors were free to get involved and find out more about various areas of the business. It was a successful afternoon which the IoS team thoroughly enjoyed and hopefully everyone went away having learnt something interesting, such as one or two of these fascinating facts from the past year:
- 17,000 individuals and 8,000 organisations registered on IoS online website
- 295 Level 1 qualifications delivered qualifying 3,949 learners
- 201 Level 2 qualifications delivered qualifying 2,147 learners
- 137 learners registered on Level 3
- 351 CPD seminars delivered
- 123 young people on employer apprenticeships and 256 on Advanced Apprenticeship for Sporting Excellence
If you weren't able to attend, you might find this document usefulwhich puts faces to names of the complete IoS team located on floor 3 at SportPark.
Edition 51: 23 November 2011
ASA Workforce Development (inc. ASA Awarding Body)
The team report a high volume of courses processed during October and November and are working hard to ensure results are issued within the specified timescales of two weeks for Level 1 and four weeks for Level 2.
The winter training programme is now nearing completion and evaluations are being gathered, using a new online system which has greatly improved response rates. Also bookings have increased by around 26% since the summer and further developments and improvements are planned.
ASA Approved Centres will be receiving unannounced review visits from January onwards. These will be completed by a centre reviewer who will drop into a scheduled course without notice and observe whether actions discussed in previous review visits are actually being implemented during the course.
Careers focus for new e-newsletter
The first edition of the 'Shaping your Career' e-newsletter has been distributed this month. Giving advice, best practice and job vacancy information for those wanting to start or advance their career in the sport and active leisure industry, interested parties can sign up to receive future editions on the website here. Email if you would like the November issue sent to you.
Promoting teaching and coaching as a lifelong career is a focus for workforce marketing activities for the coming months so watch this space for further details of a specialised website section focusing on this area in the near future with some great new features.
Volunteers who make a difference
We have also recently sent out an e-newsletter specifically focused on the great work our volunteer network carry out on a day to day basis. 'Making a difference' is also available for sign up on the website, and again please just email if you would like the November edition.
New Aquatic Fitness qualification for all learners
Anyone over 18 can now study to become an Aquatic Fitness instructor through the IoS with the launch of a new entry level qualification. Level 2 Fitness Instructing Water Based Exercise (Aqua) is now available through a series of e-learning, exams, task books and a 2-3 day theory and practical based course.
It's a great opportunity for existing teachers to extend their knowledge and skills but also can provide a good starting point for novices with no previous experience in aquatics or teaching.
As well as being qualified to teach aqua fitness courses from the poolside, once learners have completed the qualification they will be eligible to enter the register of exercise professionals (REPs) as a level 2 aqua instructor - which is recommended by most employers (for some it is mandatory). Read more here
World class teaching tips and more...
We are continually developing new resources and features to promote the benefits of becoming a swimming teacher or coach and provide support to those already in the industry. A recent article in Swimming Times (November edition) gave advice and tips on how to be a world class swimming teacher - for a precis visit the website here.
The IoS also recently produced a mini video available for download on starting out as a swimming teacher.
Industry Apprenticeships
Further new marketing materials are available giving details of an embedded three year apprenticeship pathway with Parkwood Leisure to support career development opportunities. The pathway maximises available funding and supports the progression of their apprentices.
Click to view the content of a specially created folder with Parkwood branding together with two insert pages detailing the Teaching Aquatics apprenticeship and providing progression routes for years 2 & 3.
Quality
An annual audit on over 100 apprenticeship programme learner files produced very positive findings and recognition of the apprenticeship team who maintain the files.
A 'Best Practice in Assessment' conference recently provided the team with valuable knowledge on assessment planning, performance based learning vs. knowledge based learning and observations and asssessment methods.
Special offer for e-learning seminars
Learners can help the IoS celebrate the 1st birthday of theiosonline.com by receiving four e-learning seminars completely free of charge with every Level 1 Teaching Aquatics or Coaching Swimming course. It's a great way for those starting out in their coaching or teaching career to enhance their learning from the word go and get used to completing their studies online.
Read the details here.
Teaching babies and toddlers to swim
Level 2 trained swimming teachers can extend their skills to teach adult and child aquatic sessions with a new range of continuing professional development sessions launched last month by the IoS. Three knowledge based CPD modules cover the core topics needed to deliver safe and effective adult and child aquatic sessions over two days, with a mix of both classroom based work and practical classes.
Edition 50: 19 October 2011
ASA Workforce Development (inc. ASA Awarding Body)
The ASA Awarding Body have issued some details of activities over the last month:
- 317 learners have qualified at Level 1
- 280 learners have qualified at Level 2
- 546 people have taken part in a CPD seminar
- 35 teachers and coaches have become licensed
- 18 tutors have become licensed
Excellent results in Customer Satisfaction Survey: Congratulations to the ASA Awarding Body who have achieved an excellent rating in a recent customer satisfaction survey.The survey collected information about the Awarding Body and its service provision from five types of audience:
- Learners
- Approved centres
- Quality assurance workforce (external verifiers and centre reviewers)
- Qualifications workforce (tutors, assessors and internal verifiers)
- People and organisations who made general enquiries
On a five point scale, the results of the survey showed the Awarding Body to have an excellent customer satisfaction index of 4.4. As a baseline, this figure is particularly high and sets the standard for the ASA Awarding Body to continue maintaining these standards and offering the same high level of service provision.
ASA Club Active Volunteer Survey: A reminder that a survey has been launched to discover how many active volunteers we have within our clubs and what added support clubs need to support their volunteer workforce. Closing date is the end of this month, for more information visit the website here.
Young athlete ambassadors help launch 2012 School Games: Mark Foster, Liam Tancock and Hannah Miley were joined by 12 young swimmers from the 2011 Sainsbury's UK School Games England East and England South teams at the launch of the 2012 School Games earlier this month.
It was a good experience for the young athlete ambassadors to get the feel of the Aquatics Centre at the Olympic Park before they compete there in May next year. For more information on the School Games click here.
Institute of Swimming
AASE Apprenticeships: There are 255 athletes currently on the AASE programme, and the team would like to offer their congratulations to the 101 athletes who have now completed it, with many progressing onto university or taken the option of having a gap year to train full time.
131 new athletes joined the programme in this month and attended an induction at SportPark.
AASE swimmers attended a successful offshore camp in Spain recently, giving them the opportunity to complete warm weather training and work with a range experienced coaching staff, including Beacon Head Coach Ron Philpot and Camden Swiss Cottage Head Coach Dave Hobbs.
Industry Apprenticeships: New marketing materials are available to promote apprenticeships, including an Essential Facts for Employers booklet which is being issued to employers and staff to provide full details of apprenticeship programmes, their benefits and opportunities. Click here to view a pdf.
Next month we will also be able to provide details of materials promoting an embedded three year apprenticeship pathway with Parkwood Leisure to support career development opportunities. The pathway maximises available funding and supports the progression of their apprentices.
To view the latest apprenticeship vacancies within our employer partners please follow the link here.
The IoS have drawn up a Skills Funding Agency (SFA) sub-contract for partners who wish to engage with the IoS to access SFA funding. Also Sporting Futures have signed a 12 month sub-contract with the IoS for the delivery of Level 2 apprenticeships in Activity Leadership and Support Teaching in Schools.
Quality: The quality team have begun the next round of 'Observations of teaching and learning'. A number of observers have taken part in specialist training at SportPark and several observation sessions have now already taken place.
The Internal Verifier policy is being reviewed to bring it in line with the Awarding Body policy. It will be finalised and released in the next few weeks. The team are pleased to advise that the number of IV reports released with full approval in September was 90%. A marked improvement on previous months which basically means that the Internal Verifiers report matched the assessment decisions of the assessor.
Demand for the Recognition of Prior Learning unit 4 work book is on the rise, with more learners expressing an interest in the alternative assessment method. So if you know a learner who has completed all but the unit 4 exam on qualifications pre 2011, then this is the route for them. More information available here.
All aspects of delivery are currently being reviewed as part of the formal annual Self Assessment Report of the IoS Quality team. Any areas for improvement will be identified and actioned in order to meet and surpass the industry standards.
IoS Online: The IoS are celebrating the 1st birthday of www.theiosonline.com . In the first year since the launch 12,800 members have registered in total, including 1,300 employer organisations and the remainder individual learners. Over 1,800 courses have been registered for them to choose from. Keep an eye out for the announcement of some special offers for new learners to mark the occasion, more details will follow.
Qualifications: The IoS ran 22 Level 1 courses in September and 8 Level 2 courses, October has secured even more courses with 41 Level 1's and 35 Level 2's. In addition, the IoS delivered a further 5 Aquatic Fitness courses in September and have certificated a further 13 learners.
There are also plans on the horizon to offer the Aquatic Fitness qualification at a new entry level, by providing registration onto the core units 1-4. Any interest in this should be directed to aquaticfitness@swimming.org.
Edition 49: 21 September 2011
ASA Workforce Development (inc. ASA Awarding Body)
Ofqual General Conditions of Regulation: Government agency regulators Ofqual have brought in new legally binding conditions of recognition which focus on the suitability of an awarding organisation to award qualifications. The Awarding Body team are working through an action plan to further develop relevant policies and related processes over the next six months. It is important to highlight that the changes we will encounter will not impact upon the delivery or assessment of our qualifications, but may have implications on approved centre application/renewal and quality assurance processes.
Awarding Body Training Programme: The team are pleased to announce the release of the Winter training programme, which includes an additional two new sessions developed from the results of the recent workforce audit. Approved Centres are being strongly advised to attend refresher updates to find out about changes to the external verification and centre review processes which will be implemented on 1st Jan. Interested parties should email qualityassurance@swimming.org. 
Research and Insight: The Research and Insight Team have completed their initial 5 weekly Market Segment reports, highlighting key aspects in each segment for products, resources and interventions to be marketed and promoted more directly. The team are now re-assessing the data gathered and developing a new more streamlined factsheet form of reporting for ease of use and interpretation of the data.
Updates to Course Paperwork
- Learner Registration Form - We have removed what was previously section C requesting club information from learners attending Level 2 qualifications. The updated form can be found here
- Qualification Registration Form - Amendment to when a cancellation fee will be charged. A fee will be incurred for courses cancelled less than 14 days prior to the start date if resources have been sent. This has been changed from 21 days and the updated form can be found here.
- Awarding Body Fees 2011/12 - Amendment to cancellation fee as above as well the addition of new fees for Recognised Prior Learning.
-
Level 1/Level 2 (QCF) Qualification Learner Registration Form- we no longer require this form to be submitted.
Helpers Certificate: Young people and volunteers who wish to assist on poolside can now undertake a new ASA qualification, appropriate for any aquatic environment. The ASA helpers certificate is now more suitable and accessible for volunteers in clubs and will provide an introduction to teaching and coaching as well as how to help a more senior coach or teacher and to be safe on poolside. Volunteers and young people should contact Francesca Kelly at Francesca.kelly@swimming.org and for more details about the qualification content and development, contact Colin Huffen at colin.huffen@swimming.org.
Institute of Swimming
Apprenticeships: There are currently 390 apprentices in learning across various apprenticeship programmes. The 4th cohort of AASE apprentices will be completing their studies over the next couple of months and a further 120 will attend an induction in early October to begin theirs. 25 Parkwood apprentices have now successfully completed their apprenticeships with recruitment for the second group of 50 now starting.
IoS Online: There are now around 11,500 individuals registered on the system, an amazing achievement given that it is barely a year into implementation. They are kept regularly updated on developments and further opportunities relevant to their stage of learning.
One particular area of focus is the varied choice of e-learning seminarswhich can be studied online. For example, teachers and coaches can get help with stroke analysis and improving strokes, club personnel can benefit from guidance on managing and motivating volunteers and AASE athletes are able to complete part of their studies via the website - all great examples of a blended learning approach.
The next phase of updates to the system being worked on include new and improved multiple booking choices, more comprehensive reporting including regional tabs to allow the regions more flexibility and recognition of international users.
Quality: The team are running 'Art of Feedback' seminars next month, which have been specifically designed for accredited tutors and IV's to offer support and effective feedback on UKCC courses. Run on 14th & 15th October here at SportPark, the seminars cost £10 so if you know of any tutors or IV's that haven't taken up this opportunity, please ask them to contact Adam Freundlich on 01509 640465.
Qualifications: The IoS have just awarded their first learner for the Level 2 Fitness Instructing (Aqua) from Active IQ awarding body. We have a number of learners now working through this programme as well as Aqua Circuits and Aqua Jogging REPS accredited CPDs. More REPS accredited CPDs will be coming soon following our attendance at a REPS Accredited training course.
Useful?
1
