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Training providers delivering exceptional quality in the leisure sector will be recognised in a new initiative from YMCA Awards, ‘Platinum Partners’, which aims to help employers and learners quickly identify training providers dedicated to offering high quality courses, amidst the hundreds of health and fitness courses on offer.

The scheme focuses on the level of guidance, support, assessment and progression into employment that training providers deliver to students. While all centres currently running YMCA courses are subject to robust quality assessments to ensure they are delivering the organisation’s qualifications fairly and competently, Platinum Partners sets to recognise those centres going above and beyond.

From left: Rob May, Director YMCA Awards; Sarah Bagshaw & Dave Ireson, Partners Envisage; Martin Petch, Business Manager YMCA Awards

Rob May, director of YMCA Awards, the UK's leading award organisation for health, fitness and wellbeing qualifications said: “We'll actively be supporting and promoting those providers striving for excellence and our Platinum Partners will also be invited to help shape our qualifications offer. Envisage Training has become the first training provider to be recognised by the scheme."

Applications will be assessed on various criteria by YMCA Awards, with successful applicants being given the Platinum Partner logo to display on their website, commercial bids and promotional material, plus other benefits. This, in turn, will enable potential learners and employers to make informed choices when selecting their training provider.

Sarah Bagshaw, Partner at Envisage Training, said: "We saw the Platinum Partners initiative as an exciting opportunity to further develop a relationship we really value and to make a positive contribution to an industry we are passionate about. YMCA Awards is an organisation leading the way in ensuring qualifications in the leisure industry are as beneficial as possible for learners, and we’re delighted our application has been successful.”

Sarah Bagshaw & Dave Ireson established Envisage back in 2003, delivering Fitness Instructor; Gym & ETM, and Level 3 Personal Trainer to learners in Sheffield. Since then Envisage have grown year on year & now deliver over 50 vocational qualifications, traineeships & Apprenticeships within the active leisure sector. During this time they have formed strong links with several educational institutions and employers. Quality is at the heart of the business & they go above and beyond to ensure that the learner is not only awarded the qualification; but they are equipped with the talent & skills to excel in the health & fitness industry.

Download the press release The scheme focuses on the level of guidance, support, assessment and progression into employment that training providers deliver to students. While all centres currently running YMCA courses are subject to robust quality assessments to ensure they are delivering the organisation’s qualifications fairly and competently, Platinum Partners sets to recognise those centres going above and beyond.

From left, Rob May; Director YMCA Awards, Sarah Bagshaw & Dave Ireson; Partners Envisage, Martin Petch; Business Manager YMCA Awards

 

Sarah Bagshaw, Partner at Envisage Training, said: "We saw the Platinum Partners initiative as an exciting opportunity to further develop a relationship we really value and to make a positive contribution to an industry we are passionate about. YMCA Awards is an organisation leading the way in ensuring qualifications in the leisure industry are as beneficial as possible for learners, and we’re delighted our application has been successful.”

Download the press release here.