Training and Qualifications
SkillsActive works on behalf of the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector to develop a framework of qualifications and training that meets employer needs, ensuring the workforce is properly trained and qualified.
Our National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure works with the best training providers in our sector to deliver cost-effective, quality assured training solutions.
Training
Providing training for employees not only helps them develop their skills and knowledge – it’s also a building block to business success.
Qualifications
SkillsActive works with employers and training providers to develop vocational qualifications that enable people to be competent in specific types of work.
Quality Assurance
Discover more about how SkillsActive ensures that quality training is available to those in the sector.
Apprenticeship types in Wales
There are two types of Apprenticeships available in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector in Wales:
- Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
This Apprenticeship provides apprentices with a mix of practical and technical skills to develop at work and progress to further education. It is available at three levels: foundation (level 2 QCF), apprenticeship (level 3 QCF) and higher (levels 4 and above QCF). The Apprenticeship framework and choice of competence qualification will depend on the individual's experience and job role. - Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
AASE provides a structured training and development route across a number of sports for talented young athletes (aged 16-19), who have a real chance of excelling in their sport; either by competing on the world stage or securing a professional contract.
Learn more about AASE>
Frameworks and guidance
For information and documents relevant to apprenticeships in England see Frameworks and Guidance for Wales
Frameworks and Guidance for Wales>
Hair and Beauty
SkillsActive manages the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks in partnership with Habia, the sector body for the hair, beauty, nails and spa sector. For Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks see the HABIA website
Legacy Apprenticeships
- Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching
This Apprenticeship, which has now finished, provided 14 to 16 year-olds with a combination of academic studies, vocational qualifications and work placements.
Apprenticeships in other sectors
For more information on apprenticeships in Wales see the Welsh Government website.
More information
For more information on Apprenticeships in Wales please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apprenticeship types in Northern Ireland
There is one type of Apprenticeship available in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector in Northern Ireland:
- Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
This Apprenticeship provides apprentices with a mix of practical and technical skills to develop at work and progress to further education. It is available at level 2 QCF and level 3 QCF. Individuals can pursue the Apprenticeship through one of three different pathways: Exercise and Fitness, Playwork and Operations/Outdoors. The choice of Apprenticeship framework will depend on the individual's experience and job role.
Frameworks and guidance
For information and documents relevant to Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland see Frameworks and Guidance for Northern Ireland.
Frameworks and Guidance for Northern Ireland>
Hair and Beauty
SkillsActive manages the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks in partnership with Habia, the sector body for the hair, beauty, nails and spa sector. For Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks see the HABIA website.
Apprenticeships in other sectors
For more information on apprenticeships in Northern Ireland see the Department for Employment and Learning website.
Department for Employment and Learning website>
More information
For more information on Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apprenticeship types in England
There are two types of Apprenticeships available in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector sector in England:
- Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
This Apprenticeship provides apprentices with a mix of practical and technical skills to develop at work and progress to further education. It is available at intermediate (level 2 QCF) and advanced (level 3 QCF) level, each leading to: competence based qualification (NVQ), knowledge qualifications, and transferrable skills (key skills or functional skills). The Apprenticeship framework and choice of competence qualification will depend on the individual's experience and job role. - Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE)
AASE provides a structured training and development route across a number of sports for talented young athletes (aged 16-19), who have a real chance of excelling in their sport; either by competing on the world stage or securing a professional contract.
Learn more about AASE>
Frameworks and guidance
For information and documents relevant to apprenticeships in England see Frameworks and Guidance for England.
Frameworks and Guidance for England>
Hair and Beauty
SkillsActive manages the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks in partnership with Habia, the sector body for the hair, beauty, nails and spa sector.
For Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks see the HABIA website.
Legacy Apprenticeships
- Young Apprenticeship in Sports Management, Leadership and Coaching
This Apprenticeship, which has now finished, provided 14 to 16 year-olds with a combination of academic studies, vocational qualifications and work placements.
Apprenticeships in other sectors
For more information on apprenticeships in England see the National Apprenticeship Service website.
National Apprenticeship Service website>
Register your interest in discovering more about how Apprenticeships could benefit your business >
Apprenticeship types in Scotland
There are two types of Modern Apprenticeships available in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector in Scotland:
- Modern Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
This Apprenticeship is aimed at those aged 16 or above who are capable of achieving a vocational qualification at level 3. It is available at four levels: level 2 (Scottish Credit and Qual Framework level 5), level 3 (Scottish Credit and Qual Framework levels 6/7), level 4 (Scottish Credit and Qual Framework levels 8/9) and level 5 (Scottish Credit and Qual Framework levels 10/11 ). The choice of Apprenticeship framework will depend on the individual's experience and job role. - Modern Apprenticeship in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance (Football)
This Apprenticeship is aimed at those aged 16 or above who are capable of achieving a vocational qualification at level 3.
Frameworks and guidance
For information and documents relevant to Apprenticeships in Scotland see Frameworks and Guidance for Scotland.
Frameworks and Guidance for Scotland>
Hair and Beauty
SkillsActive manages the Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks in partnership with Habia, the sector body for the hair, beauty, nails and spa sector.
For Hair and Beauty Apprenticeship frameworks see the HABIA website.
Apprenticeships in other sectors
For more information on modern apprenticeships in Scotland see the Scottish Qualifications Autority website.
Scottish Qualifications Authority website>
More information
For more information on Apprenticeships in Scotland please email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance for Northern Ireland
This section contains information and documents relevant to Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland. All files are in PDF format.
Frameworks
SkillsActive offer two Apprenticeship frameworks in Northern Ireland in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
- Level 2 Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
- Level 3 Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
These are also held on the Department for Employment and Learning website.
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance for Wales
This section contains information and documents relevant to Apprenticeships in Wales. All files are in PDF format.
SASW apprenticeship frameworks
The Apprenticeship frameworks developed to meet the requirements of the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for Wales (SASW) are now available on the Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website.
Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website>
Frameworks
SkillsActive offers six apprenticeships in Wales in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
Foundation Level Apprenticeships
Foundation Apprenticeship in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (April 2011)
Foundation Apprenticeship Leisure Operations (May 2011)
Foundation Apprenticeship in Playwork (June 2011)
Advanced Level Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Fitness (April 2011)
Advanced Apprenticeship in Leisure Management (May 2011)
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Playwork (June 2011)
Supporting documents for personal learning and thinking skills element of the apprenticeship
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance for England
This section contains information and documents relevant to apprenticeships in England. All files are in PDF format.
SASE Apprenticeship frameworks
The Apprenticeship frameworks developed to meet the requirements of the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) are now available on the Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website.
Apprenticeship Frameworks Online website>
Frameworks
SkillsActive offers 12 Apprenticeship frameworks in England in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Leisure Operations (September 2011)
Possible job roles: park operative, maintenance operative, park receptionist, groundsperson, and recreation/leisure attendant.
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Coaching (January 2012)
Possible job roles: coach, instructor, teacher (tennis and swimming only)
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Spectator Safety (October 2011)
Possible job roles: steward, marshal
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Playwork (April 2011)
Possible job roles: assistant play worker, play centre assistant
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership (November 2011)
Possible job roles: community sports coach, activity leader, fitness leader, outdoors instructor, activity instructor
Intermediate Apprenticeship in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (April 2011)
Possible job roles: fitness instructor / gym instructor, recreation assistant, exercise instructor, leisure centre assistant
Advanced Level Apprenticeships
Advanced Apprenticeship in Outdoor Programmes (April 2011)
Possible job roles: outdoor instructor, senior instructor, assistant & trainee variations, activity specific titles, for example climbing wall supervisor, team leader / supervisor, head of activity, project leader, group leader / counsellor
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Fitness (April 2011)
Possible job roles: advanced fitness instructor, studio coordinator, personal trainer, yoga and pilates teacher
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Spectator Safety (October 2011)
Possible job roles: senior steward, marshal
Advanced Apprenticeship in Advanced Playwork (April 2011)
Possible job roles: playworker, senior playworker
Advanced Apprenticeship in Leisure Management (September 2011)
Possible job roles: advanced fitness instructor, studio coordinator, personal trainer, and yoga and pilates teacher
Advanced Apprenticeship in Sports Development (January 2012)
Possible job roles: community sports development officer, sports specific development officer
Supporting documents for personal learning and thinking skills element of the apprenticeship
- Intermediate Level Apprenticeships
- Advanced Level Apprenticeships
- Apprenticeship Frameworks review timetable
- Apprenticeship Frameworks operational times
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance for Scotland
This section contains information relevant to Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland.
Frameworks
SkillsActve offers three Modern Apprenticeship frameworks in Scotland in the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
- Level 2 Modern Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
- Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Active Leisure and Learning
- Level 3 Modern Apprenticeship in Achieving Excellence in Sports Performance (Football)
These frameworks are held on the Alliance Sector Skills Council Scotland website.
Alliance Sector Skills Council Scotland website>
Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance
SkillsActive has worked with employers to develop a set of Apprenticeship frameworks. These outline the minimum requirements needed to complete the apprenticeship at each level and for each occupation.
Apprenticeships are available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. However, each country has a slightly different approach.
Select a country below to learn more about the frameworks available in your area.
Northern Ireland
This section contains Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance documents for Northern Ireland.
Scotland
This section contains Modern Apprenticeship frameworks and guidance documents for Scotland.
