Brexit will have ‘far-reaching implications’ for leisure sector training
Britain’s impending withdrawal from the European Union will present a broad range of challenges for leisure training and qualifications, says one of the sector’s leading education figures.
Active IQ managing director Jenny Patrickson believes Brexit will have far-reaching implications for further education and says that the active leisure sector must ensure it retains strong ties with European partners despite the outcome of last week’s vote.
Bodies like EuropeActive will be vital in ensuring that the recognition and transferability of qualifications across borders will continue, says Patrickson. She added that maintaining the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) – a translation device which makes national qualifications more readable across Europe – will be key to continuing the promotion of physical activity and its associated health benefits for individuals from all nations, regardless of borders.”
Amid warnings this week that Brexit could hit the UK’s education sector by making it harder for international students to obtain visas, Patrickson said training providers and colleges may also find it harder to access central European funding.
“In other areas of further education, it is too soon to fully understand the longer term implications for the FE sector. However, many institutions rely on funding from the European Social Fund, with organisations currently bidding for those contracts,” she told Health Club Management.
“Presumably the suggested withdrawal period of two years will not affect current ESF funding, however this is nevertheless another area of uncertainty for the future. Training providers and colleges will certainly be keen to understand potential implications for funding moving forwards.”
In the physical activity sector, there is currently much focus on how the industry can increase both the scale and quality of its apprenticeship schemes. To that end, CIMSPA has been working with a range of leading employers to improve physical activity sector apprenticeship standards through the Trailblazer initiative.
Furthermore, the organisation has been encouraging operators to explore the potential of the
government’s new apprenticeship levy as they brace themselves for increased wage bills from the new National Living Wage, which came into effect in April.
Patrickson says there may now be debate over whether the apprenticeship levy should start in April 2017 as planned, given the existing uncertainty surrounding the scheme, compounded by the outcome of the referendum. But she added that concerns over workforce eligibility and skills shortages could make apprenticeships an even more important piece of the education puzzle.
“Others will argue that, now more than ever, it is essential to drive apprenticeship growth, to ensure that England has the skilled workforce it needs in all areas of industry, with a view that the levy will be instrumental in achieving this,” said Patrickson.
Brexit leisure sector training Jenny Patrickson referendum Active IQ
BIG unveils Eve Music Hall as Croatia venue nears completion
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Wellness care hospital opens in Vilnius with innovative spa and hospitality concept
Universal and Puy du Fou projects point to rise of Oxford–Cambridge corridor
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’ planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism investment.
For years, the corridor has been associated primarily with science, technology, housing and university-led economic growth. However, the clustering of large-scale visitor attraction projects along the
All-inclusive eco-wellness development Auko to open near Vietnam’s Son Doong caves
Shedd Aquarium upgrades its visitor experience with new Immersion Theater
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional revenue opportunities.
The attraction has transformed the aquarium’s Phelps Auditorium into a multi-sensory venue combining panoramic projection, environmental effects and interactive technology.
A new pre-show area allows visitors to engage with augmented reality marine animals before entering the
Mandarin Oriental announces standalone Mansions-branded residences for Abu Dhabi
MCR is planning a luxury hotel for London's BT Tower
Joy as a radical act: Yinka Ilori launches solo exhibition celebrating the rebellious power of spreading happiness
Work gets underway on Madrid's €800 million leisure complex
Work is underway in Madrid on one of Europe’s most significant multi-functional complexes, combining sport, entertainment, culture and education.
The €800 million initiative to regenerate the former Olympic Aquatic Centre in the north-east of the city, next to the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium, is being led by Barsento – a joint venture between Live Nation Entertainment, Oak View Group and Atlético de Madrid. The project will
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Four Seasons’ Naples Beach Club opens 2,800sq m Sanctuary spa inspired by indigenous Calusa people
Orient Express Corinthian to host Ocean Rebirth wellness retreat in collaboration with Guerlain
Famed London nightclub, Tramp, launches Tramp Health
First look: Miraval opens on the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia
Hainan Science Museum by Ma Yansong, opens in China
A new science museum has opened to the public in Haikou after attracting more than 350,000 visitors during a four-month soft opening period.
Designed by Ma Yansong and his practice MAD Architects, the Hainan Science Museum is located on the edge of Wuyuan River National Wetland Park and has already recorded peak attendance of more than 5,800 visitors in a single day.
Commissioned by
Zannier Île De Bendor launches with design by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes
Sæl Spa readies for launch in London: “a modern British sanctuary”
Immersive art bathhouse Submersive announces debut location in Austin
Construction begins on regenerative wellness destination The Shenandoah Nature Resort
Royal Caribbean reveals record-breaking cruise ship
V&A East opens in London
David Geffen galleries open at LACMA
New venue The Lands by Capella includes a longevity centre to complement sister hotel Capella Sydney
World of Frozen launches at Disneyland Paris
Pical Resort by Valamar reveals first Croatian spa under the ESPA brand
Mandarin Oriental creates end-to-end Egyptian journey with two new hotels and first-ever luxury river cruise
Designers Mendil + Meyer launch new division called Lām Concepts for strategic wellness projects
Wilderness Bisate in Rwanda reveals brand’s second Sanctuary spa
4a Architekten shares details of wellness extension at Salinarium Bad Dürkheim Thermal Spa
