SkillsActive appoints Olympic Gold Medallist as new Chief Executive

SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Sport and Active Leisure, has appointed Olympic gold medallist Ian Taylor as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Ian, who was part of Great Britain’s gold medal-winning hockey team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, has 25 years’ of commercial experience in addition to his 12 year career as an elite athlete.  He has held a number of CEO roles at organisations including Greyhound Board of Great Britain, London Irish Rugby Club and Sport-Scotland.

Prior to Ian’s new appointment he spent two years as Major Projects Director at GL Events where he was responsible for high-profile event management contracts including the 2012 Olympic Games, Football, Rugby and Cricket World Cups, Formula 1 and Masters Tournaments for Tennis and Golf.

He takes over from interim CEO Suki Kalirai, who has been holding the position for the past six months. SkillsActive Chair Elaine Clowes comments: “In this Olympic year, Ian’s sporting credentials and entrepreneurial expertise will make an invaluable contribution to the organisation. Under his leadership, SkillsActive will further enhance its reputation as one of the most innovative, focused and respected sector skills council in the UK.”

She continues: “As SkillsActive makes the transition from a Government funded organisation to one that is commercially and customer driven, Ian is the ideal person to build on the company’s existing strengths and ensure it continues to deliver services of the highest quality.”

Ian is a former Minister of Sport’s nominee on The Sports Council, an Executive Board Director of the British Olympic Association (BOA) and is published author including co-author of the International Athletes Time Management Programme.

Register online with new REPs’ website

Fitness Instructors and Trainers can now apply for REPs’ registration online via the REPs’ website, which has been re-designed and up-dated.

Following feedback from members the website also offers improved search facilities and a section for members of the public (including a list of employers who support the Register).

Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch said: “We’re really delighted to be able to offer a more streamlined online registration process for new members. We’re very pleased with the new-look site and hope our members, training providers, employers and members of the public will find it informative and easy to use.”

Visit www.exerciseregister.org for more info.

Apprentices are REPs’ newest members

Oldham Community Leisure Limited (OCLL) has demonstrated its commitment to creating a qualified and competent workforce by registering graduates from its Modern Apprenticeship Scheme on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).

The apprentice programme within OCLL provides paid employment for individuals whilst receiving on and off the job training. The seven new Modern Apprentices will join the existing six Modern Apprentices who were recruited late last year in a formal training plan which includes a Level 2 qualification in Gym Instruction, BSC Level 1 in Health and Safety, First Aid, Customer Care and Manual Handling training and for those based at a wet site a Level 2 qualification in Pool Plant Operations.  By recruiting new Modern Apprentices this has given those already in the existing programme an opportunity to move into other areas of the company such as Outdoor Pursuits and Sports Development.

These qualifications will give the individuals a good grounding of operational qualifications along with relevant experience.  Louise McGreal, Head of Human Resources adds: “To have individuals, that at the end of their Apprenticeship, have a great balance of operational qualifications and experience, will put them in an excellent position to be recruited for a more permanent position within the company.  All apprentices are offered casual work as a minimum at the end of the scheme and many have remained employed and continue to work and train with OCLL.”

REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch commented: “This is a great show of support for the Register and we wish all the young people on OCLL’s Modern Apprenticeship Programme the very best for a life-long career in the fitness and leisure sector.”

What formats do you want to see the REPs journal published in?

As the publishers of the REPs journal and email newsletter, sportEX is always looking for ways to add value to members through the journal. We’re currently looking at whether to make the REPs journal available on the iPad and possibly also the Android platform but we’d really appreciate your input on whether this would be useful. Please click here for a very quick 5 question survey.

 

Free up-skilling units for members – summary post

To reflect working practices, many qualifications have now changed to include small sections on working with atypical clients. This enables instructors to adapt their mainstream classes for clients who may have additional requirements but who are still capable of attending a regular session. This could include older adults/children and vulnerable adults/pre and post natal clients/14-16 year olds/those with disabilities.

Taking these upskilling units is vital to ensure your qualifications are up-to-date. The five specially written assessment units can be found in the members’ area of the REPs’ website. Taking all the units also earns you 5 CPD points. To read the full post click here >

Coming soon….

Look out for the May edition of the REPs’ Journal – coming soon to a letterbox near you!

The bumper issue contains a guide to High Intensity Interval Training (or HIT as it’s commonly known), a question and answer interview on weightlifting, an update on REPs’ newest member, Dame Kelly Holmes, and book reviews; as well as favourites like our research update, accountancy column and the latest from Dr John Searle.

Booking open for FLAME 2012

Reserve your place at the FIA’s 4^th annual Flame Conference, 27^th June 2012, Magna Centre, Sheffield.

The much anticipated Ball of Fire, at which the winners of the Flame Awards for 2012 will be announced will take place that evening at Ponds Forge, Sheffield and the annual FIA Golf Day and spa will take place the previous day, 26th June, at Tankersley Manor & Golf Course. Take advantage of an early-bird discount by booking before 20^th April. Click here to find out more or book your place.