The National Skills Academy (NSA) for the Outdoors is set to launch in Penrith, Cumbria, on 15 September following the success of a pilot scheme in north west England earlier this year.

The new academy will deliver outdoor skills training through a network of providers, which already includes educational charity Outward Bound and activity holiday company, PGL Travel. A total of 76 people have received industry-recognised skills training as a result of the pilot scheme since it launched in January through the NSA for Sport and Active Leisure, with a further 400 set to benefit from funding that will enable more people to receive training through the NSA.

Employers will be able to learn more about funding opportunities at a special event to mark the launch of the NSA for the Outdoors, which includes a range of bursary schemes that could save organisations up to 60 per cent on national governing body awards and new qualifications, such as the Outdoor Introductory Award. Lucy Harrison, North West business development manager for the outdoors, said: "The skills academy has been launched to help meet employers' needs and help fill their specific skills gaps with our accredited training providers.

"By providing a one-stop shop to access the best training in the outdoors, matched with available funding streams, we aim to make an employer's training budget go further."