Take a L.E.A.P into a career in leisure industry

Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council has launched a new online programme in a bid to help unemployed and under-employed people acquire the skills and qualifications needed to kick-start a career in the leisure industry.

L.E.A.P, which stands for Leisure Employability Activity Programme, is being fully funded by the Department for Communities through its Sport in the Community Neighbourhood Renewal Programme.

Throughout the programme, the aim is to use sport and physical activity as a tool to guide participants on a personal development journey to help them gain qualifications and employment.

Open to both men and women aged 16 over who reside in the borough, L.E.A.P online will provide participants with the opportunity to improve their own health and fitness, focus on their personal development, learn about social citizenship, develop employment skills and take part in training and work placements.

Not only is it free to participate in the programme, one of its unique selling points is that it will be tailored to the needs of each participant with one-to-one support, mentoring and training provided to suit the individual’s preferred career path.

Lord Mayor of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough, Councillor Kevin Savage said: “The launch of L.E.A.P online is welcome news especially in the current climate.

“As we bear the economic burden of coronavirus, I’m delighted to hear that we are launching a programme that will enable unemployed and under-employed people gain the skills and qualifications needed to enhance their future job prospects.

“For people who are keen to pursue a career in sports and leisure, I would strongly encourage you to contact our Community Sports Development team and discuss if L.E.A.P online can put you on the right path to achieving your career goals.”

Typically participants would meet once a week to take part in sport and physical activity taster sessions as well as an employability or personal development workshop.

However, in keeping with current social distancing guidelines, the programme has been adapted so that it can be delivered safely online.

In the initial phase of the programme, participants can expect to focus on creating a personal development plan, a health and wellbeing plan along with completing a number of online training courses. Further down the line when it is safe to do so, they will be able to meet for taster activity sessions and practical training courses.

L.E.A.P online has been closely modelled on a previous programme - KickBack which was targeted at men aged 16 to 24 and proved very successful with over 60 per cent of past participants moving into full-time education or gaining employment.

With the programme running until March next year, participants are invited to join at any stage and complete all strands at their own pace.

To register to participate in this programme, text LEAP to 07871 001037 or complete an online registration form at https://form.jotform.com/193561971277368.

--

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper whenever you are able to do so.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper when you can safely.

You can also enjoy unlimited access to the best news from across Northern Ireland and the UK by subscribing to newsletter.co.uk

With a digital subscription, you can read more than five articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptions now to sign up.

Thank you

https://www.newsletter.co.uk