10 March 2009: LOCAL CONSUMER: Over 320 Londoners working or wanting to get a job in leisure are to be given a major career boost this year. This follows Crystal Palace-based London Leisure College being awarded Centre of Excellence by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure.
TRADE: London employers in leisure are to be given a major boost this year. This follows London Leisure College being awarded Centre of Excellence for Leisure Operations in London by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure.
London Leisure College was officially awarded the Centre of Excellence in Leisure Operations for London. The Centre of Excellence will be responsible for delivering high-quality training and qualifications in leisure operations that will benefit both employees and employers.
Tara Gausden, Director at London Leisure College, says:
“We have been working closely with our London employers for a number of years to ensure training and qualifications are fit for purpose, affordable and accessible, and assist with a continued drive to professionalise and improve performance and career pathways in the industry.”
Through the Skills Academy, London Leisure College will deliver a range of qualifications to staff working within leisure operations. These qualifications include the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), First Aid, Pool Plant Operator, Customer Service, Swimming Teacher, and Apprenticeships in leisure operations.
This new move is great news for London employers—like GLL and Bromley Mytime—who are responsible for developing staff that have the skills and experience required to help encourage people to get more active.
Mark Sesnan, Managing Director at GLL, says:
“As one of the founder partners of London Leisure College, GLL have been a long term supporter of employers taking a greater role in the development and delivery of industry training and qualifications. The London Leisure College announcement today signals the continued commitment and an ongoing opportunity to further develop this relationship and encourages more employers to engage with the National Skills Academy and London Leisure College.”
Steve Price, Managing Director at Bromley Mytime, says:
“As chair of the Skills Academy’s London Regional Operations Group, and a key London leisure employer, I am thrilled to support the announcement of the London Leisure College as a Centre of Excellence. Their work to create and foster partnership working and collaboration amongst employers and training providers across London has demonstrated innovation and results, and we look forward to further joint working.”
London Leisure College was also awarded Academy Provider status for Health & Fitness and for Stewarding & Events. The training and qualifications will be designed to meet the needs of employers and will be delivered across London.
For more information on the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, visit www.sportactivensa.co.uk