Active IQ, the awarding organisation of choice for the active leisure sector, has announced that it will offer potential partnership opportunities and support for training providers with eligibility to access the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Innovation Code.
The Code is a government recommended scheme to encourage colleges and training providers to meet local labour market needs in new and innovative ways within the boundaries of their existing funding.
Aware of current skill gaps in terms of safeguarding, equality, diversity and particular workplace skills not yet available as qualifications, Active IQ intends to work alongside providers to respond quickly to local business and employer requirements. The Code will allow adult learners to embark on a course that is simultaneously being developed as a qualification to be submitted for accreditation into the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).
The intention is to offer greater freedom, flexibility and responsivity to providers, as well as strengthening provider/employer relations in local communities. Likewise, the Innovation Code, in conjunction with Active IQ, offers an opportunity for real creativity within a practical vocational framework.
Active IQ will potentially be able to offer Innovation Code support across a number of sectors, including Sport, Leisure and Recreation, Administration, Health and Social Care, Marketing and Sales, and Teaching and Lecturing.
Suzy Gunn, Operations Director at Active IQ, commented: “We’re really backing The Innovation Code as an opportunity for employers and providers to think about what else can be offered to learners and students, where there are clearly identified skills gaps. We know that many employers are looking for specific skills that are not always available as qualifications so we are keen to form a partnership that can address these issues.”
The Innovation Code is currently only available during the academic year 2012/2013, so the opportunity to work with Active IQ is limited to this time period.
