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.
Continuing Professional Development
The active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector is continually changing so keeping your skills and knowledge up to date is vitally important.
SkillsActive works with training providers to deliver a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to help staff and volunteers maintain their professional knowledge and skills and prepare them for greater responsibility.
Quality training
Make sure you access quality training for you, your staff or your volunteers by choosing from SkillsActive’s list of approved training providers.
Browse SkillsActive's approved training providers >
Approved CPD for REPs members
To remain on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), instructors need to undergo training that has been endorsed by SkillsActive and recognised by the Register.
View the REPs qualification and training portal >
Online training
SkillsActive's range of e-learning courses offer a convenient way to develop skills anywhere, at any time.
Discover more about the benefits of online training >
SkillsActive for training providers
The SkillsActive training provider offer is currently being developed by our endorsement team.
The new training provider offer has been developed following a consultation period with key industry providers. The offer will be tailored towards the varying needs of different industry providers and look to offer specific benefits to help support business growth.
For further information about SkillsActive's new offer for training providers, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
This offer will be centred on SkillsActive endorsement, working to develop this for the future.
Discover more about SkillsActive endorsement >
Apprenticeships: training providers
Apprenticeships are usually delivered through a partnership between an employer and a training provider, although some larger employers may also operate as the training provider for themselves and others.
SkillsActive issues Apprenticeship frameworks, which outline the minimum requirements needed to complete the Apprenticeship at each level and for each occupation. We also provide certification for apprentices in England and Wales.
Access funding for Apprenticeships
If you are a training provider in England or Wales and you would like to deliver government funded Apprenticeships, you need to hold a contract with the Skills Funding Agency.
Training providers in Scotland need to hold a contract with Skills Development Scotland. Training providers in Northern Ireland need to hold a contract with the Department for Employment and Learning.
To gain a contract, you must meet certain requirements, such as minimum contracting value. If you do not meet the minimum contracting value, you can enter into a subcontracting arrangement with a larger training provider. If you are a training provider in England, one way to do this is by joining SkillsActive’s Group Training Association.
To find out more about the Group Training Association email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Registration
Only training providers in Scotland need to register with SkillsActive to deliver Apprenticeships.
To register as a training provider with SkillsActive Scotland, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Types of Apprenticeships
There’s a wide variety of Apprenticeships available in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Select a country below to learn more about the types of Apprenticeships available in your area.
Frameworks and guidance
SkillsActive has worked with employers and training providers to develop a set of Apprenticeship frameworks. These outline the minimum requirements apprentices need to complete the apprenticeship at each level and for each occupation. You can then work with your employer and apprentice to identify the most suitable framework for their needs.
Learn more about the Apprenticeship frameworks available in your country by viewing Frameworks and Guidance.
Certification
At the end of their Apprenticeship, all apprentices need a certificate to show they have fulfilled the Apprenticeship requirements.
In England, Wales and Scotland, certificates are issued by SkillsActive. In Northern Ireland, they are issued by the Department for Employment and Learning.
Apprentices can apply for their own certificate or authorise their training provider to apply for one on their behalf.
Download the Apprenticeship certification request forms for England and Wales below.
- Certification Request Form England
This certificate is for apprentices completing their programme in England. - Apprentice Authorization Form England (mandatory to complete for all framework claims via the ACE system)
- Certification Request Form Wales
This certificate is for apprentices completing their programme in Wales.
To request a certificate in Scotland, email
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Verify apprentice training
Keep track of your apprentice’s training with an activepassport™
activepassportTM is an auditable online tool that will help you track and record an individual’s Guided Learning Hours - a statutory requirement of the new frameworks in England and Wales.
If you’re a training provider, activepassport™ can:
- Give you an overview of your client’s skills, qualifications and competencies
- Identify missing mandatory CPD and compliance requirements
- Help you target individuals with specific courses
- Let you access an extensive captive market, increasing sales and reducing marketing costs
- Enable you to offer clients a powerful tool for maintaining their own records.
Learn more about activepassport™ >
Consultancy
Our consultants can provide you with detailed information about delivering Apprenticeship training, or developing frameworks to suit businesses in your area.
To find out more, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Updates
Find out about Apprenticeship framework updates and other news relevant to Apprenticeships.
Training
Providing training for employees not only helps them develop their skills and knowledge – it’s also a building block to business success.
SkillsActive works on behalf of the active leisure, learning and well-being sector to develop a framework of qualifications, training and continuous professional that meet employer needs, ensuring the workforce is properly trained and qualified.
Through our National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure, we deliver those qualifications, ensuring the training is quality assured, cost effective and relevant to employers’ needs.
CPD
SkillsActive works with training providers to deliver a wide range of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to help people maintain their professional knowledge and skills.
Business Skills
SkillsActive offers a range of resources to help people upskill in areas such as communication, literacy and numeracy, and management.
SkillsActiveCareers
SkillsActiveCareers provides expert advice on the training you need to work in the sport, fitness, playwork, outdoors and caravan industries.
Qualifications
Having a qualification to back up your knowledge and experience is increasingly important in the active leisure, learning and well-being sector.
SkillsActive works on behalf of the sector to create and deliver the qualifications employers need and want.
We make sure employers can access the right qualifications, based on national standards designed by employers, so the workforce is properly trained and qualified.
Read more about the Qualifications and Credit Framework
Vocational qualifications
SkillsActive works with employers and training providers to develop qualifications that enable people to be competent in specific types of work.
Higher Education courses
SkillsActive identifies and endorses degrees in fitness, sport and leisure that effectively prepare students for employment.
National Occupational Standards
SkillsActive is licensed by government to produce and maintain National Occupational Standards (NOS) for the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a cost effective way to recruit and train employees. They enable apprentices to earn money while gaining hands-on experience and nationally recognised qualifications.
SkillsActive works with employers to ensure Apprenticeships across our sector deliver the knowledge and skills their business needs.
Employers
Fill the skills gaps in your company and build a highly loyal workforce with Apprenticeships. Find out how to access funded training.
Training providers
Find out about Apprenticeship funding, frameworks, certification and verifying your apprentice’s training.
Individuals
Kick-start your sport and active leisure career with an Apprenticeship. Find out more about the different types of Apprenticeships available.
Frameworks
Ensure your Apprenticeship programmes meet the needs of employers with SkillsActive’s frameworks.
Key facts
Read our frequently asked questions to learn the facts about what an Apprenticeship entails.
Wakefield College
Services to Business is the business training and development wing of Wakefield College. We provide a wide range of flexible business services, offering excellent scheduled and customised courses. Services to Business is also a partner with the Northern Leadership Academy and is the home of the Yorkshire Leadership Programme, referred to as "one of the best, cutting edge, personal development days in Yorkshire".
We have been awarded the "Training Quality Standard" accreditation, recently introduced by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) which recognises colleges who deliver excellent training and development to meet employers' needs. In this recognition we join an exclusive group of only two providers in Yorkshire and 26 providers nationally who have achieved the standard in the first batch of entries.
It is one of our core beliefs that the client is a partner in any learning and development programme we deliver; co-creation is the bedrock of this belief. This co-creation also includes the development of post-programme impact analysis for each part of the programme.
Current clients include The English & Welsh Cricket Board (North), Activity Sheffield, Wakefield Council and Kirklees Active Leisure.
Contact Details:
Website: www.wakefield.ac.uk
Leeds Metropolitan University
Leeds Met University's UK Centre for Events Management has become the regions Centre of Excellence for Event Management and is set to improve skills training for employers and employees across Yorkshire & the Humber.
The university are proud of the role, supporting organisations as they prepare for London 2012 and other major events. This partnership will give us the best possible opportunity of addressing the region's skills needs in event management.
Contact Details:
Website: www.lmu.ac.uk
Park Lane College
The College has over 40,000 students (Park Lane College and Park Lane College Keighley) is an international College with students from over 20 countries including: China, Bangladesh, Cameroon and South Africa.
Park Lane has a combined turnover in excess of £42 million making it one of the largest colleges in the Yorkshire region It also generates in excess of £35 million annually into the wider Leeds City Region economy.
Partnerships and community organisations enable the College to meet the needs of socially excluded and other disadvantaged groups. Extensive basic skills provision forms a key element in the College's response to social inclusion.
Park Lane continues to grow as an internationally renowned centre for quality adult, further and higher education provision, and promote a brand which is synonymous with the finest standards of teaching, learning and student performance.
Park Lane College Business School helped in the development and success of over 10,000 learners through a variety of courses in 2007-8. It supported the employer and workplace as well as delivered international & bespoke training which has had a major impact on the skill development of the city of Leeds and city-wide regions.
Contact Details:
Park Lane College
Park Lane
Leeds
LS3 1AA
Telephone: 0845 045 7275
Website: www.parklanecoll.ac.uk