Apprenticeships are one of the current Government’s flagship programmes for moving people into sustainable employment. Although not common place across the sporting landscape they are increasingly being used by organisations who deliver sport and physical activity. Many young people are motivated and inspired to pursue a career in the Sector, and with the current Legacy debate, Active Essex believes there is a significant opportunity to harness this. Ultimately the Board and executive staff see this activity delivering part of the overall strategy (Objective 5: Encourage Lifelong Learning and Skills Development) to support the identified priorities for sport and physical activity in the County.
In 2015 Active Essex appointed nine Sports Development (Level 3) apprentices to support the work of Active Networks in Essex. Each apprentice is placed within a locality and their work programmes include supporting the coordination of sport and physical activity projects and these ranges from administration of networks to activation of local community groups. Five apprentices have currently completed the 12 month apprenticeship with a further four due to complete by the end of 2016. This cohort of apprentices has been working towards NVQ Level 3 in Sports Development. Active Essex has found the units of work do not always match with day-to-day work experience.
Active Essex was asked to represent the County Sports Partnership Network on the Community Sport and Wellbeing Apprenticeship Trailblazer led by Street Games. The new Level 3 standards have been written and consulted by employers from within the sector. The new standards will enable apprentices to learn about working with the inactive market, how to engage and activate, and importantly going forward, understand how to evaluate a project. Apprentices enrolled on the new standards will study for 16-20 months which also gives more business continuity to Active Networks.
Active Essex have secured further funding for 2016-2017 and Active Essex is currently recruiting twelve apprentices to support the work of the Active Networks in Greater Essex. Once new standards are finalised all new Active Essex apprentices will train towards completing the new Level 3 standards, Community Sport and Wellbeing Apprenticeship.