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 2 Pathway Instructing Exercise and Fitness is 73 credits.
Entry requirements
The Foundation Apprenticeship in Exercise and Fitness is designed for those individuals who are either already employed in the fitness industry or who are looking to enter the industry and further develop their knowledge and skills to progress within the sector. The Pathway is also suitable for those wishing to change career after having worked in a different sector.
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 in the health and fitness industry and be willing to work shifts, sometimes unsociable hours and travel between sites. Potential apprentices are expected to have the skills to work with and motivate a variety of different clients they will work with.
Apprentices might also need to undergo police checks for example when working with vulnerable adults and children.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Instructing Exercise & Fitness
Level 2: Instructing Exercise & Fitness Qualifications
Participants must achieve the following competence and knowledge qualifications below.
| Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Instructing Exercise & Fitness | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| Active IQ | C00/0233/0 500/9640/0 | 37 | 370 | Competence | English Only |
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Instructing Exercise & Fitness | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 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 2: Instructing Exercise & Fitness | 284 | 250 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
Competence qualification - 37 credits and Knowledge qualification - 23 credits.
The total number of training hours for this Pathway is 534 hours.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
- 6 credits/60 GLH Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
Other additional requirements
None
Progression
Level 2 Instructing Exercise & Fitness
Progression into this Pathway
There are no pre-defined entry routes into the Apprenticeship in Fitness, 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 or vocational training routes such as Pathways to Apprenticeships or Foundation Apprenticeships.
Progression from this Pathway
On completion of this programme, apprentices can progress into employment in a variety of roles, ranging from Personal Trainer to working alongside a GP doing GP referral. They can also progress onto a variety of vocational qualifications allowing them to further specialise, for example in Ante and Post-natal exercise or dealing with older adults.
On completion of this programme, learners can progress into Further or Higher Education institutes in order to study a variety of subjects ranging from those which are sports and fitness specific, such as Sports and Exercise Science or Sports Nutrition, to general subjects such as Management or Business Studies.
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.
Apprenticeships in our sector aim to promote diversity, equal 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.
ISSUES, BARRIERS AND ACTIONS
The health and fitness industry is made up of nearly 6000 private and public health clubs across the UK, of which 324 clubs operated in Wales in 2010. The majority of the workforce are members of staff who work on the gym floor. As a result of the current economic situation, a possible barrier to entering the fitness industry is the fact that disposable income has considerably reduced in most households, therefore members of the public are more cautious about spending money on health club membership. There is notably a competitive spirit amongst health clubs offering shorter commitment periods, reduced joining/membership fees and competitive rates for group exercise sessions.
63% of the workforce is female and although they have a presence across all roles, this decreases as the roles become more senior. Having a Foundation Level Apprenticeship programme on offer in fitness makes it possible for all members of staff to develop their skills and knowledge.
The fitness workforce is predominantly white at 92.5% with the remaining 7.5% split between Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic workforce. 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/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Medr