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 Sports Development is 96 credits.
Entry requirements
Potential apprentices should have a positive, motivating, can do attitude and be willing to work both as part of a team or on their own. They should be motivated to succeed.
Potential apprentices are expected to have the skills to work with and motivate a variety of different clients they will work with.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 3: Sports Development
Level 3: Sports Development Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Sports Development | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| 1st4sport | C00/1234/5 600/4301/5 | 64 | 640 | Competence | English-Welsh |
| Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/1200/2 603/0460/1 | 90 | 900 | Competence | English Only |
| Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Sports Coaching | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Pearson | C00/3943/4 603/4930/X | 48 | 480 | Knowledge | English-Welsh |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Sports Development | 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: Sports Development | 338 | 200 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Competence qualification - 64 credits and Knowledge qualification - 13 credits.
The total number of training hours for this Pathway is 538 hours.
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
Apprentices might need to undergo police checks for example when working with vulnerable adults and children.
Progression
Progression into this Apprenticeship
There are no pre-defined entry routes, however learners wishing to progress into this apprenticeship programme could come from a variety of backgrounds with a variety of qualifications.
These might include diplomas, GCSEs, Welsh Baccalaureate qualifications, A levels, vocational training routes or foundation apprenticeships such as the Foundation Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership or Coaching as well as Pathways to Apprenticeship programmes.
This apprenticeship can provide a progression opportunity for apprentices on a foundation level programme as well as progression for those already working in the sector. To gain progression potential apprentices need access to work at the organizational/ policy (local policy) level in sport as that is what sports development essentially is.
This programme is also suitable for those who wish to change their careers and retrain to enter the sector at this level. Many people who work in sports development will be expected to hold a degree level qualification.
Progression from this Apprenticeship
On completion of this programme, apprentices can work in the sector as Sports Development Officers covering a wide range of roles ranging from working with local communities to supporting amateur sports clubs or working with a variety of partners in organising and supporting initiatives to reduce crime and rehabilitate offenders.
Apprentices can also progress in to level 4 qualifications and job roles such as senior sports development officer or sports development manager.
Horizontal progression would include progression into management and leadership roles and further qualifications in this area, such as Sports Development, Marketing, Business or even Social Sciences or Social Policy.
It is also possible for apprentices to progress onto a variety of vocational qualifications allowing them to further their portfolio of skills; these could come from the sport sector or other sectors with links to sports development such as health, youth work or justice.
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.
This apprenticeship programme 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 current economic climate has affected every aspect of sports and recreation, including community focused roles. Staff working in these areas have experienced reduced support in training and development due to the cost. However, this is where an apprenticeship programme can contribute, by ensuring that those interested in entering the sector or those who are already employed in the sector are given the opportunity to gain and develop their knowledge and skills despite the current economic difficulties to ensure they stand out and succeed.
A significant proportion of the sports development workforce is female and although they have a presence across all roles, this decreases as the roles become more senior. Having apprenticeship programmes on offer in our sector makes it possible for all members of staff to develop their skills and knowledge. Therefore, the apprenticeship can contribute to encouraging more women to develop their skills to enable them to fill more senior roles.
By having an open access, prejudice and discrimination free recruitment process to our apprenticeship programmes, we are encouraging anyone interested from any race, religion and ethnicity to enter the sector, and this way we can make a small contribution to trying to ensure the ethnicity balance will improve over a period of time.
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