The government has announced it will fund a 1.9m Apprenticeship Expansion Programme (AEP) in sport and active leisure, which will recruit, train, place and mentor over 1,400 people in the next two years. This new move will play a vital role in developing skills across the country and delivering the skilled resources needed for health agendas like Change4Life to succeed.
The AEP is being led by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure and Lifetime - recently awarded the Centre of Excellence for Fitness for National Employers. Private operators and leisure management companies which are members of the Skills Academy will be represented in the AEP. Partners included in the programme are: SkillsActive, Fitness First, DC Leisure, LA Fitness, Leisure Connection, SLM, Serco Leisure, Primary Care Trusts and a number of Local Authorities.
Mark Hyde, National Director for the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, says: ìFitness and leisure operators are at the forefront in tackling the obesity crisis. To support an increase in participation, we also need an increase in the number of coaches, instructors and support staff. Without a bigger and more skilled workforce, the governmentís health agenda is at risk.î
With the current economic climate and the leisure sector facing skills shortages – 26 per cent of the workforce is not qualified to level 2* - operators need to look at recruiting multi-skilled employees. They may also be eligible for wage subsidies.
The AEP will enable students to make the progression from training programme to employment to a funded work placement enabling them to consolidate and apply the skills they have learnt through an extended interview period with national employers. Employers are able to evaluate prospective employees in the workplace at no cost to themselves whilst fast tracking them through to level 3 qualifications where skills shortages have been identified.
As part of the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme, the Centre of Excellence for Fitness will provide government funded training in fitness instructing and personal training. Individuals will gain a Level 2 Fitness Instructor qualification in four weeks or, for those who already have a level 2 qualification, a Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification in five weeks. They then have the opportunity to go on to work at a health club or leisure centre to gain practical experience and to complete their full NVQ.
Heather Frankham, CEO at Lifetime says: ìThe Apprenticeship Expansion Programme is a fantastic opportunity for people who want to start a new career in fitness and gain paid employment with a national operator. Employers benefit too. Lifetime gives operators the chance to meet candidates while they are still in the classroom studying for their qualification. This enables employers to promote vacancies within their company and potentially recruit job-ready staff.
Government funds new 1.9m apprenticeship programme in sport and leisure
.
