BLUEPRINT FOR SKILLS CCOOPERATION AND EMPLOYMENT IN ACTIVE LEISURE

The BLUEPRINT project was designed to promote skills cooperation and employment in Active Leisure, a sector composed of the Fitness and the Outdoor sub-sectors. It has put into practice, tested, evaluated and recorded the implementation of its principle objective to develop a ‘harmonisation’ of sector-specific qualifications within a context of wider recognition and acceptance at the European level. In a cycle of continuous improvement and based on the SIQAF pathway (named after a previous project SIQAF), the project has put into practice the eight stages of its development and requirements. These were considered and accepted from the representative and authoritative voices of Active Leisure, and especially in the delivery of a fully quality-assured education and training programme for its instructors and animators.Hence, the major outcome of the 36-month project is a sector skills strategy, i.e. The BLUEPRINT. This strategy eventually leads to a systemic and structural impact on reducing skills shortages, gaps and mismatches, as well as ensuring appropriate quality and levels of skills to support growth, innovation and competitiveness in the Active Leisure Sector. It gives direction to how it is possible to support future skills needs, and for new roles and occupations that will undoubtedly be needed in the future as the Active leisure Sector develops and recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.In order to develop this sector skills strategy, twelve intellectual outputs (IOs) were proposed and each considered throughout the project. In terms of more specific outcomes, these IOs have resulted in: -creating an evidence base to identify skills gaps in the Active Leisure sector; -promoting the benefits of the learning experience and gaining of the qualifications for developing wider skills for employability and personal well-being, as well as supporting the growth of the sector; -documenting the contribution of Active Leisure to the employability of young people and the creation of jobs in the sport and Active Leisure-related labour markets.Additionally, and central to this strategy, the project has fostered the development of a Sector Skills Alliance for Active Leisure (SSA), involving employers, employees, VET, HE, and further representatives from the European Fitness and Outdoor sectors. The SSA now provides a continuing platform for presenting ongoing research and work, outputs for peer review and information exchange. Its existence and future role has been secured by the project, and the SSA will be key in the future to continue supporting the sector’s economic development and tackling new national and EU policy agenda priorities.With the completion of this project, the Active Leisure sector has reached a milestone: BLUEPRINT can really be considered the pivotal outcome in the long search for customized training and related employment. The Active Leisure sector is now equipped and ready for its continued growth and diversification into the future. Qualifications are operational, the tools are mastered, and the relevant structures to promote these qualifications are in place. New sectoral qualifications focussing on 'healthy lifestyles for all' are already in the pipeline, and with the explosion of digital technologies, the possibilities and prospects for people to work in, and for millions to engage with its products and services, guarantees a very bright future for Active Leisure.