CIMSPA higher and further education partnerships open for application

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity is today announcing a new partnership offer for UK higher and further education institutions.

The CIMSPA HE/FE partnership product provides students on qualifying courses both CIMSPA student affiliate status and a pathway into membership on graduation. It also offers the institution public acknowledgement of their links with the sport and physical activity sector’s single chartered professional body as well as input into, and influence upon, the development of employability-focused learning programmes for the sector.

The HE partnership is available to all UK universities and the FE partnership is exclusively available to colleges who are members of AoC Sport.

Speaking about the new partnership offering, CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillon said: “The launch of these new higher and further education partnerships is another key milestone in our workforce development project. CIMSPA is excited to be working with HE/FE institutions to ensure ’employability’ is at the heart of degrees and learning programmes in sport and physical activity.”

Marcus Kingwell, Managing Director, AoC Sport, added: “We are delighted to support the CIMSPA Further Education Partner Scheme. This will help AoC Sport member colleges get closer to employers and provide them with a range of opportunities to increase their student’s employability within the sector.

“Through involvement in the scheme colleges will also play an important role in shaping professional standards. Colleges are crucial in the development of the sector’s future workforce and these partnerships will ensure students are prepared with the appropriate skills and qualifications.”

Andrew Burston, assistant dean of school – sport, from University College of Birmingham, who have been piloting the new partnership, added: “University College Birmingham is delighted to be a CIMSPA HE partner. As a provider of vocational programmes UCB recognises the importance of graduate employability, and so it is logical that all of our sports management students should enjoy the benefits of being a CIMSPA student affiliate.”

CIMSPA is also developing endorsement structures for sector-related degrees and learning programmes to provide HE/FE partners with clear kitemarks that their courses have the recognition of the sector’s government-backed and employer-led chartered institute. Higher and further education institutions that become CIMSPA partners will have priority access to this endorsement system when it is piloted in 2017.

The higher and further education partnership completes CIMSPA’s partnership portfolio for awarding organisations, skills development partners and employers. This “closed loop” of education, qualifications and high quality training and workplace CPD exists to meet the explicit asks made of CIMSPA in both the government’s “Sporting Future” and Sport England’s “Towards an Active Nation” strategies.

HE and FE institutions can start their partnership applications today at www.cimspa.co.uk/hefe

Photo credit: AoC Sport

Notes to editors

Photo: http://d.pr/i/wIei

Photo credit: AOC Sport

About CIMSPA
Launched in 2011, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. CIMSPA provides leadership and support for professionals working in sport and physical activity and a single unified voice for the sector. The organisation’s strategic priorities include providing direct opportunities for young leaders to grow and succeed, and leading the development and management of career pathways. CIMSPA was awarded chartered status by the Royal Privy Council, in January 2012.