Entries now open for prestigious Active Training Awards, this year featuring full day Conference for the first time
ukactive and CIMSPA have announced an expanded format for this year’s Active Training Awards, sponsored by Active IQ, which will feature a full day Conference ahead of the highly-anticipated awards ceremony.
The awards recognise the organisations and individuals who are leading the way in skills and workforce development, with applications currently open to providers and employers of all shapes and sizes. Nominations are already coming in thick and fast for this year’s eight awards categories, with the closing date for entries 26th August.
Last year’s event saw leading firms including Lifetime Training, GLL, Places for People Leisure and Nuffield Health scoop awards, while the competition for accolades this time around looks set to attract an even broader scope of contenders.
This year’s categories include ‘Best use of Technology’, designed to recognise e-learning platforms and digital solutions that support learners and also enable flexible and interactive learning. Meanwhile, the ‘Employer of the Year’ category aims to recognise learning and development teams within employers that provide a notable programme or initiative to support and develop their employees.
Due to high demand, the Active Training Workshop will this year become a full Conference, where attendees will join over 200 delegates to hear from experts in skills and training. The event – due to take place this November – promises a stimulating day of keynotes and lively panel discussions to explore hot topics such as the upcoming apprenticeship levy and the opportunities around the new Sport England strategy.
The Conference will also feature a special session looking at the outcomes from the inaugural ukactive Future Leaders week at IESE Business School in Barcelona, which saw 30 of the physical activity sector’s rising stars receive a week of world-class training. The session will explore the impact of the first Future Leaders week and how the concept will grow in future, in line with sector demand for top class management development offerings.
As ever, the Active Training Awards deliver a rigorous and beneficial assessment process involving independent expert judges from inside and outside of the sector. All applications are subject to a two or three stage assessment process featuring a written assessment, a review of learner and (or) employer feedback and an expert panel. All applicants will receive a detailed expert feedback report, regardless of how far their application progresses, outlining the strengths and weaknesses of their submission and suggestions for improvement.
The categories for this year’s awards are:
- Training Provider of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Apprenticeship Provider of the Year
- Innovative Training Programme of the Year
- Best use of Technology
- Health and Wellbeing Training Programme – Targeted Population
- Supplier Learning and Development Provider
- Activity Champion of the Year
Steven Ward, Executive Director, ukactive said: “Without doubt the biggest priority for the physical activity sector right now is the development of the workforce. Training providers of all shapes and sizes – apprenticeship providers, specialist training companies and employers themselves – are the beating heart of our sector and are integral to our continued progression. The Active Training Awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the dedication and innovation of training providers, who hold the key to getting more people, more active, more often.”
Tara Dillon, Chief Executive Officer, CIMSPA added: “The sector is making steady progress in its ongoing professionalisation and it’s vital that we champion success so that we are continually raising the bar. Vocational training and skills development are constantly being refined and the rigorous application and assessment process for the Active Training Awards offer an ideal opportunity for self-reflection and external feedback from a top quality judging panel.”
Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director of Active IQ, said: “The Active Training Awards are always a highlight of the year for us at Active IQ. It’s great to come together with colleagues from the sector to celebrate all that is great about training and development, and to recognise the companies and individuals who innovate and inspire our exciting sector.”
More People More Active More Often
