The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has teamed up with Cardiff Metropolitan University to launch a Certificate of Higher Education in Sport Management.

The course is the first of its kind for the physical activity and sport sector and has been created in response to demand from employers for management-specific training that caters for busy working professionals.

To offer the accessibility needed for individuals to work and learn concurrently, the online course has been broken down into six micro-credential modules. There's a professionally recognised qualification for each module completed and the full certificate if they complete all six. The lack of an expiration date makes it easier for professionals to complete the course at their own pace.

Prior learning and professional experience is also taken into account when awarding module completion, so if professionals can evidence their knowledge, skills and any previous accreditation it counts towards up to 50 per cent of the full qualification. This means they only have to pay for the modules they need.

The course content is quality assured by CIMSPA and in alignment with the Entry Manager occupational professional standard, a framework created alongside sector employers that establishes the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the role category.

Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, says: “This is a really exciting opportunity for our sector to be at the forefront of professional learning and development. Micro-credentials are the gateway for professionals to develop their knowledge and expertise flexibly while gaining recognition which they can carry with them throughout their career.

“Our work with thousands of employers across the sector points to the need for us to be creative in the professional development offer for managers and aspiring managers and it’s been fantastic to work with the team at Cardiff Metropolitan University to create this new opportunity.

“As we support those working in the sector to develop their professional status, offering our talented workforce the chance to undertake bite-sized learning that can build to a recognised qualification over the course of their career is a massive step forward.”

The first module to be taught is Finance, sales and marketing in sport and physical activity, which will cover competencies such as consumer behaviour, sales cycles, operational budgeting and personal development.

This latest news follows hot on the heels of CIMSPA launching an online Training Academy to support training and career development.

Applications for the Certificate of Higher Education in Sport Management open on Monday 2 September until 30 September. Register your interest here.