Workforce Development Update

Edition 27: 6 October 2009

Dear all,

Firstly news from the Awarding Body: 
A new Continuing Professional Development seminar has been developed: ‘Teaching Nervous Adults’ which will provide water confidence and teach swimming skills to adults who are nervous about being in the water.  This seminar is provided via the government’s Free Swimming support.

The Aquamark quality scheme has been replaced with a brand new swim21 programme specifically for learn to swim providers which will be administered by the Awarding Body.  Existing Aquamark centres can transfer onto the new scheme free of charge.  A new swim21 programme has also been introduced for School Swimming as well as the existing Club accreditation.   Full details of all three schemes, including detailed FAQs, are available on the website here.

Have you seen the article in Swimming Times this month, which featured teacher and coach Sue Rayment - an excellent example of someone committed to ongoing personal development and a good endorsement of the licensing programme. Have a read if you haven’t already!

The IoS reports that a new dedicated mailbox has been set up for feedback regarding Institute of Swimming and ASA course resources. Messages sent to  trainingdevelopment@swimming.org will be distributed to the relevant review committee and acted upon accordingly.

The IoS is pleased to announce a tutor training scheme developed with partners DC Leisure, SLM, GLL and Serco.  These organisations have identified potential tutors for the training scheme and the first candidates have begun this month with a view to qualifying early next year.  More information on this scheme will follow in due course. 

It has been a very busy summer for the IoS with over 3,000 people attending courses and seminars during the period July-September.  We have had some great feedback regarding our tutors:
“I have just finished a UKCC/ASA Level 1 Coaching Swimming course at Ponds Forge and would like to thank the IoS for delivering a fantastic learning experience.  Of the many things I have taken away from the course, the standout aspect is that swimming in Britain is fortunate to have, in Ray Butters, a talented, hard-working, and engaging educator.  I think that swimming in this country will benefit hugely from Ray’s evidence-based and science-led approach, which I believe will give new coaches a platform to challenge the unfounded and often limiting practices that are to be found in swimming.” Chris Hudson

“I just wanted to say a big thank you for the excellent delivery of the NPTS CPD at West Lindsey today.  I don’t think I have ever come across a more enthusiastic and entertaining tutor!  All the delegates were extremely complimentary and many have asked to attend your Working with Children with Educational Difficulties and Intro to Butterfly and Breaststroke seminars next weekend… Once again, thank you and I look forward to you delivering many, many more courses/training for SLM.”  SLM Ltd,  commenting regarding a seminar run by Jan Tattersall.

“I was so pleased the way the whole two weeks turned out.  We made a great team! I have had some really good feedback from the candidates and also the student’s parents.  We have enrolled some of the students into our swimming lessons, which is great news.”  SLM Ltd, following a Level 2 summer school run by Ellie Purvis.

To begin the report from the Coaching Systems Team, continuing progress is being made with the Advanced Coaching Offer, click here to read the press release including comments from a couple of coaches already enrolled onto the programme who are looking forward to taking the first steps.

The Aquatic Workforce Audit has taken close to 300 responses to date, and with a week or so to go there is still a chance for employers to win places on UKCC/ASA teaching/coaching courses.  Click here to read more. 

The CSO team will soon be asking for nominations for the County/Regional coaching awards, keep an eye out for more news later in the year.

Also the team has now started work on a year long research project on ‘Employability Models’.  This is being conducted to examine the return on investment for employment of part time/full time equivalent swimming teachers in the learn to swim environment.

That’s all for now,

If you would like future editions of this update emailed straight to you as soon as they become available, please send your contact details to claire.freeman@swimming.org

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