Smart Connection Company launches training arm

Sport and recreation consultancy, Smart Connection has established a dedicated training arm, Smart Connection Training.

Smart Connection Training (SCT) is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), offering a complete industry qualification pathway in partnership with industry bodies to ensure courses meet the needs of the sport, recreation and fitness industry.

SCT’s courses have been developed with three of the sport and recreation industry’s peak bodies, including the Australian Leisure Facilities Association (ALFA) and Life Saving Victoria. They will soon be offering the majority of their courses on-line and already offer a Fitness and Management course in a blended and flexible environment.

ALFA board member Lorraine Smith says “the Government is now requiring that RTOs work more closely with their industry.

“Smart Connection Training makes sure it is providing the best possible framework for the industry, by developing its training courses in conjunction with sport and recreation’s peak industry bodies.”

The launch of Smart Connection Training coincides with the release of the latest report from Service Skills Australia (SSA). SSA - the industry skills council for sport and recreation, which is funded by the Australian Government to support skills development – has concluded in its annual environmental scan, that the way for the industry to move forward, is to create stronger links between RTOs and industry peak bodies in order to develop a sport and recreation code of practice for ‘good provider’ status.

“Industry and registered training organisations (can reflect) on the value of stronger partnerships and the capacity of such partnerships to develop more responsive training solutions.”

Briony Schofield has been appointed Training and Operations Manager at SCT and joins a team of experienced trainers and industry specialists.

Schofield has previously held key sports services positions at RMIT and Monash University as well as a role as Project Director for a leading nationwide RTO.

Welcoming her appointment, she states “I am excited to be able to have a positive influence on learning and development opportunities for people within the sport industry.

“We have strategies in place to maximize relevance and practicality for our students. Individuals, groups and organisations will benefit from the direct application of training into workplaces throughout our industry.

“We have a great opportunity to be able to provide better pathways for training from Certificate II level through to Diploma qualifications.”

SCT has seen a growth in the demand for training in the past 12 months, fuelled mainly by the opportunity for companies to gain funding that covers 90% or more of the cost of a training course or qualification. The team also specialises in aligning training packages and delivery with organisations existing systems, in order to optimise learning.

SCT’s clients include some of Australia’s top sport and recreation providers, including Curves fitness, YMCA, Belgravia Leisure as well as many local government managed leisure facilities.

For more information go to www.smartconnection.com.au