Get Qualified NW success! Get Qualified NW was run by the University of Cumbria from November 2009 until August 2011 and accessed European Social Fund money from the Learning & Skills Council (now the Skills Funding Agency). The project accepted over 1,000 applications from those in the North West completing level 2 and 3 courses in sport, outdoor or fitness and supported 815 successful qualifications; over 50 more than planned.
Applicants were 19 or over, worked or lived in the North West and were not in full time education. Club volunteers, as well as those in paid employment, could apply and sports involved included angling, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, cycling, football, hockey, judo, lacrosse, netball, rowing, RFL, softball, snowsport, squash, swimming, table tennis, tennis and triathlon.
The outdoor and fitness aspects of the project were managed by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure. A variety of climbing, mountaineering, canoeing, mountain biking and sailing courses were supported. Rick Patterson got 60% off his British Canoe Union level 3 coach assessment through Get Qualified NW funding at Plas y Brenin. Rick had been an instructor and youth worker for most of his career and worked both as a freelance instructor and volunteer coach at Ribble Canoe Club and had this to say about Get Qualified NW: "It has taken me a while to get round to doing my Level 3 assessment, but knowing that I could get funding towards the course really helped me speed up the decision. Sea Kayaking is an expensive sport and getting qualifications is more so now than ever. Being able to get a 60% refund made a real difference."
Following his level 3 qualification, Rick ran sea kayaking courses at Ribble Canoe Club which proved so popular that they had to pull in other coaches to help.
In fitness the project supported a variety of level 2 and 3 industry relevant fitness courses mapping into the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS). Qualifications included certificates and awards in gym and fitness instructing, personal training, nutrition and weight management.
All of the Get Qualified projects have been managed by the University of Cumbria alongside a variety of delivery partners including various National Governing Bodies, all five NW County Sport Partnerships, Sports Coach UK, SkillsActive and the National Skills Academy. Dr Dave Houlston, Head of the School of Sport, said: "We are committed to helping people in the region advance themselves and achieve the career goals they set themselves. This was the third time we'd run this scheme but the first time its remit had been extended to the fitness industry as well as sport and the outdoor sector. This means that we could help even more people gain the qualifications to realise their ambitions."
For more information about studying for qualifications in sports, outdoor education and fitness, visit the university's website at www.cumbria.ac.uk or call 0845 606 1144.