Following the July launch of the findings from its Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) in England, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the active leisure and learning sector, SkillsActive, is to launch an SSA in Scotland on 18 September.

The Scottish SSA is intended to mark the beginning of a long-term relationship between employers and stakeholders to deliver relevant skills, training and development to the active leisure and learning sector in Scotland.

The findings of the consultation will be formally launched by the Scottish Executive’s deputy minister for enterprise and lifelong learning, Allan Wilson.

An action plan by SkillsActive, based upon the Sector Skills Council’s assessment of current and future skills needs and training provision, will also be launched.

Focused on six core solutions for the sector, the action plan will include improving recruitment, retention and the quality and range of services on offer alongside enabling the redirection of funding and increasing of investment within the sector.

The plan will be broken down into key objectives for each region and will also incorporate the five sub-sectors which SkillsActive represents – namely, sport and recreation, health and fitness, playwork, the outdoors and caravans.

SkillsActive's chief executive, Stephen Studd said; “We are pleased to launch our SSA for Scotland at an exciting time for our sector in the country.

"With Scots doing well on the world stage of sport along with Glasgow’s bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, sport is high on everyone’s agenda.

"Alongside this, with the review of the early years and childcare workforce, our playwork employers have a keen interest in professionalising the play workforce.”

In June, SkillsActive submitted a formal expression of interest to the government to lead a National Skills Academy (NSA) for the active leisure sector.

SkillsActive will be in competition with around 17 other SSCs from a variety of other sectors. The result of the SSC tenders to lead the next NSA and what sector it will represent, is expected to be announced in October at the Labour Party Conference. Details: www.skillsactive.com