The content of this pathway has been agreed by SkillsActive. This is the only apprenticeship pathway in the Travel, Tourism and Leisure sector approved for use in Wales that is eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Sporting Excellence (1) is 136 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Pathway Sporting Excellence (2) is 67 credits.
Entry requirements
The Pathway has been designed to meet the needs of young people ‘who have the realistic potential to achieve excellence in their sport and are seeking to perform at the highest level as their main career goal.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs) will work in collaboration with SkillsActive and Sport Wales to develop sport-specific entry requirements to ensure that the most talented athletes are selected.
There are three categories of involvement identified with regards to recruiting apprentices to this programme:
- contracted apprentices at professional clubs
- employed athletes identified as potential high performers by their respective NGB
- employed talented young people in the ‘academy environment’ not yet offered full time terms
Apart from being selected and recommended by their respective NGBs, SkillsActive would recommend that apprentices should have gained a minimum of 5 GCSEs A* to C, however not meeting this criteria does not exclude talented athletes from the programme. This Pathway recognises that apprentices may be able to achieve occupational competence but may need additional support with their knowledge competence.
Entry onto this Pathway is restricted and interested private providers, FE colleges or NGBs of sport should contact SkillsActive before considering involvement in the delivery of this programme.
SkillsActive are working closely with NGBs, UK Sport, Sport Wales and The Welsh Government to determine eligibility, and are also working with Awarding Organisations to develop a mechanism for interested parties to move towards Approved Centre status and contracting arrangements.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 3: Sporting Excellence (1)
Level 3: Sporting Excellence (1) Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 3 Pearson BTEC National Diploma in Sporting Excellence and Performance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/3942/8 603/4923/2 | 89 | 890 | Knowledge | English-Welsh |
| Level 3 Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sporting Excellence and Performance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/3942/9 603/4924/4 | 146 | 1460 | Knowledge | English-Welsh |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Sporting Excellence (1) | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Sporting Excellence (1) | 378 | 530 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
86 credits for Competence and 89 credits for Knowledge.
The total number of hours for this Pathway is 908 hours containing both on and off the job training hours, to be completed within 18-24 months.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Level 3: Sporting Excellence (2)
Level 3: Sporting Excellence (2) Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Sporting Excellence (2) | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
Essential Skills Wales qualifications assessment languages are English-Welsh.
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Sporting Excellence (2) | 210 | 275 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
26 credits for Competence and 29 credits for Knowledge.
The total number of hours for this Pathway is 485 hours containing both on and off the job training hours, to be completed within 12-20 months.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Other additional requirements
None
Progression
Progression into this Apprenticeship
Apprentices coming into the programme will have had many years of experience playing their selected sport.
The National Governing Body will still need to identify talented athletes through a sport specific selection criteria. The identification will be different for each National Governing Body. It is widely recognised that by the age of 16, athletes will have already been identified as 'high performers'. It is important that potential apprentices have the ability to work at an advanced academic level.
Progression from this Apprenticeship
On completion of this programme, apprentices may progress into the following areas:
- Professional or semi-professional sports
- Full time athlete
- Sports Coach
- Support Officer in High Performance Environments
Apprentices can also progress into Further Education or Higher Education Courses studying courses for their secondary careers options:
- Foundation Degree in Sports Coaching/ Sports Science/ Sports Science with Sports Development and Management, Higher National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
- Undergraduate programmes: BSc Sport and Exercise Science/ Sport Management
Apprentices can also progress into a variety of job roles within the active leisure and learning sector on completion of this advanced programme as 'high performers'. It is important that potential apprentices have the ability to work at an advanced academic level.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
The Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence aims to promote diversity, opportunity and inclusion by offering a high quality learning experience.
The delivery of this programme must be in a setting free from prejudice and discrimination where all learners can contribute fully and freely and feel valued.
The selection and recruitment of apprentices to the programme must be inclusive and available to all. National Governing Bodies work with Sporting Equals to ensure that they are making a sustainable difference to the inclusion of all under-represented communities in sport and physical activity.
ISSUES/BARRIERS
- Not all sports offer this apprenticeship programme at present
- There is a clear performance entry criteria
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider / Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government