UCLan to pilot sports industry programme that will set employability benchmark

26 January 2018

Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity Higher Education Partnership Pilot scheme up and running

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is one of 10 UK universities that will pilot a scheme set up by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) that will finalise the endorsement and recognition process for UK sport and physical activity-related degree programmes.

Once the two-year pilot is complete, all degree programmes relating to occupations within the sport and physical activity sector will be eligible to be endorsed and quality assured by CIMSPA – the sector’s chartered professional body.  

Endorsed degree programmes will be certified as meeting employer-set professional standards – an employability benchmark making clear the job roles a student completing the programme is qualified for.

During the pilot, higher education partners will support the development of new CIMSPA membership categories that recognise academic, research and insight professionals, with a pathway to chartered membership.  Other ambitions for the partnership include improving work placement and internship opportunities and the development of a national graduate training programme for the sector.

"We are delighted to be one of the universities selected by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity to be at the forefront of professional development within our sector."

Students studying degree programmes associated with the pilot scheme will be introduced to their sector’s professional body and receive a range of affiliation benefits, including access to free eLearning via the CIMSPA Academy.

Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Head of School for Sport and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted to be one of the universities selected by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity to be at the forefront of professional development within our sector.

“At the University of Central Lancashire we are passionate about real world learning, authentic assessment and ensuring that our students are equipped with transferable skills that enhance their employability.  Being part of the HE Partner pilot scheme will provide a range of benefits that will enhance the learning experience of our students, provide them with access to chartered membership and reassure employers across the sector that their education is professionally relevant.”

Speaking about the partnership pilot launch, Tara Dillon, CIMSPA CEO, said: “We are very pleased to be launching our Higher Education Partnership Pilot scheme and to be starting substantive work on an endorsement framework our sector is keen to embrace."

"The 10 universities taking part in the pilot are at the forefront of working to ensure their graduates successfully transition into employment."

“The 10 universities taking part in the pilot are at the forefront of working to ensure their graduates successfully transition into employment and I would like to applaud all of our new partners for their forward-thinking ethos and commitment to excellence.”

UCLan courses associated with the CIMSPA pilot are; BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Leadership, BA (Hons) Sport and Physical Education, BA (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development, BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management and BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance.

Full information about the 10 universities taking part in the pilot scheme can be found on the CIMSPA website.