Youth activity specialist SHOKK has been awarded the North West Centre of Vocational Excellence, as part of the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure (NSA).

SHOKK will work in partnership with Trafford College and Salford University to co-ordinate and deliver free training and qualifications in youth activity, as well as career progression courses. The employer-focused courses include one- and two-day CPD courses, NVQs, VRQs and workshops to train instructors and activity leaders.

All programmes will be linked with key stage 2, 3 and 4 of the National Curriculum, to ensure young people develop complementary skills in and out of the school environment.

The NSA was developed by Skills Active to create a coherent approach to the industry's skills training, thereby better meeting the needs of employers. It does so through government-funded, work-based learning using a network of Centres of Excellence.

The NSA enables employees to take control of the design and delivery of learning in their industry, working in partnership with the government and training providers from both the public and private sectors.