Active leisure, learning and wellbeing - level 3 apprenticeship framework

About the framework

This framework specifies the standards and the criteria for the delivery of level 3 apprenticeship training to achieve qualified status within the active leisure, learning and wellbeing sector. Successful completion of the apprenticeship will lead to the award of a level 3 qualification and recognition as a qualified person within the industry sector.

Mandatory outcomes

Achievement of a level 3 apprenticeship in active leisure, learning and wellbeing user will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body.

You must complete both a competence-based and a knowledge-based qualification, or a combined qualification, along with the mandatory essential skills qualifications.

Mandatory essential skills

To successfully complete the apprenticeship, you must achieve the following essential skills qualifications as part of the apprenticeship, or already hold a recognised equivalent:

• application of number – level 2
• communication – level 2
• information and communication technology – level 2

However, any qualifications you already have are assessed against the framework requirements and may result in an exemption from the above.

Competence and knowledge qualifications – pathway options

You need to complete both a competence-based and a knowledge-based qualification, or a combined qualification, in your chosen pathway selected from the lists below, along with any additional requirements indicated.

Pathway 1 – exercise and fitness pathway

Competence-based qualifications

• YMCA awards level 3 NVQ diploma in personal training (QCF) 501/0158/4
• Active IQ level 3 NVQ diploma in personal training (QCF) 500/9305/8
• 1^st4sport level 3 NVQ diploma in personal training (QCF) 601/6794/4
• Focus awards level 3 NVQ diploma in personal training (QCF) 601/4888/3

Knowledge-based qualifications

• YMCA level 3 diploma in personal training (practitioner) 603/2438/7
• Active IQ level 3 certificate in personal training 500/8820/8
• Active IQ level 3 diploma in fitness instructing and personal training 600/4941/8
• YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner), Outdoor Exercise and Sports Conditioning 603/3510/5
• Active IQ level 3 diploma in personal training and business skills for fitness professionals 600/9744/9
• Active IQ level 3 diploma in physical activity, fitness and exercise science 601/6042/1
• VTCT level 3 diploma in instructing mat-based pilates 600/7050/x

 Additional requirement (any two of the following)

• Active IQ level 3 diploma in teaching yoga 600/2090/8
• Active IQ level 3 diploma in instructing pilates matwork 501/1778/6
• Active IQ level 3 diploma in exercise referral 600/5105/x
• YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral 603/3103/3
• YMCA awards level 3 award in instructing outdoor fitness 600/1144/0
• YMCA awards level 3 award in sports conditioning 600/1145/2
• YMCA level 3 diploma in teaching pilates (practitioner) 603/3855/6
• YMCA awards level 3 diploma in teaching yoga 600/1227/4
• YMCA level 3 diploma in teaching yoga (practitioner) 603/3617/1
• VTCT level 3 award in Adapting Physical Activity for Antenatal and Postnatal clients 600/6735/4
• VTCT level 3 award in nutrition for physical activity 501/1577/7
• VTCT level 3 diploma in exercise referral 600/4756/2
• any relevant qualification that is externally awarded and validated
• any register of exercise professionals (reps) accredited continuing professional development courses / qualifications worth 8 points or more
• Sports Leaders UK level 2 and level 3 awards
• any approved Health and Safety Executive First Aid at Work or Emergency First Aid at Work certificates
• apprentices and training providers are encouraged to deliver a full first aid qualification rather than a one day course
• any customer services certificates
• L2 and L3 certificate in coaching [name of sport] qualifications (for apprentices working on sites where they are responsible for delivering coaching sessions in a context of a specific sport)
• any customer service competence units
• any additional active leisure, learning and well-being competence units relating to the apprentice's job role
• any of the wider/other key skills awards
• vocational assessor units
• any Edexcel BTEC sport awards / certificates
• any City and Guilds Sport Awards / certificates

Note that the additional requirement must be completed at level 3 where available, and that certificates of attendance are not accepted as evidence of completion.

Pathway 2 – sports development  

Competence-based qualifications

• 1^st4sport level 3 NVQ diploma in Sport Development 600/4301/5
• Active IQ level 3 NVQ diploma in Sport Development 601/1152/5
• Focus awards level 3 NVQ diploma in Sport Development 601/5373/8       

Knowledge-based qualification

• Focus awards level 3 certificate in Sports Development 601/6256/9

Additional requirement (any two of the following)

• any relevant qualification that is externally awarded and validated
• Sports Leaders UK level 3 awards
• any approved Health and Safety Executive First Aid at Work or appointed persons certificate (training providers are encouraged to deliver a full first aid qualification rather than a one day course)
• level 2 and level 3 certificate in coaching [name of sport] qualifications (for apprentices working on sites where they are responsible for delivering coaching sessions in a context of a specific sport)
• any customer service competence units at the same level as the framework
• any additional Active Leisure and Learning competence units at the same level as the framework
• any of the other level 3 Key Skills Awards
• QCF units that underpin the accredited assessor qualifications
• any Edexcel BTEC sport awards / certificates at the same level as the framework
• any City and Guilds sport awards / certificates at the same level as the framework

The additional requirements must be completed at level 3 where available unless the job role requires apprentices to complete a level 2 qualification before progressing onto a level 3 qualification. Evidence of attendance is not accepted as evidence of completion.

Pathway 3 – leisure management

Competence-based qualifications

• ACTIVE IQ level 3 NVQ diploma in Leisure Management 600/1446/5
• YMCA awards level 3 NVQ diploma in Leisure Management 600/1911/6
• Focus awards level 3 NVQ diploma in Leisure Management 601/4889/5

For this pathway, ERR outcomes are covered within the competence qualifications.

Knowledge-based qualifications

• ACTIVE IQ level 3 Certificate in Leisure Management 600/1266/3
• YMCA awards level 3 Certificate in Leisure Management 600/5163/2
• Focus awards level 3 Certificate in Leisure Management 601/5377/5

Additional requirement (any two of the following)

• level 2 certificate in coaching [name of sport] qualifications (for apprentices working on sites where they are responsible for delivering coaching sessions in a context of a specific sport)
• any relevant qualification that is externally awarded and validated
• any customer service competence units at the same level as the framework
• any customer service knowledge qualifications at the same level as the framework
• CITO electrical test and inspection for parks (for apprentices employed in caravan parks)
• CITO safe siting for apprentices employed in caravan parks
• CIEH level 2 award in Food Safety (for apprentices employed in caravan parks)
• CIEH level 2 award in Health and Safety in the Workplace (for apprentices employed in caravan parks)
• any approved Health and Safety Executive First Aid at Work or appointed persons certificate (apprentices and training providers are encouraged to deliver a full first aid qualification rather than a one day course). (for apprentices employed in caravan parks)
• BII level 2 award for personal licence holders (for apprentices employed in caravan parks) 

Note that the additional requirements must be completed at level 3 unless the occupational area and job role justifies the need for apprentices to gain a level 2 qualification first. Evidence of attendance is not accepted as evidence of completion.

Eligibility and entry to the programme

You must be a new employee, or an existing employee taking on a new role to take part in the programme.

Entry to the level 3 apprenticeship is by progression from the apprenticeshipsni level 2 framework in active leisure, learning and wellbeing. Employers may also apply their own criteria at the recruitment stage.

You may also enter the level 3 apprenticeship, subject to assessment by the training contractor and employer, if you have:

• already gained significant work experience in your occupational area, which could be considered as meeting the requirements of the level 2 framework in active leisure, learning and wellbeing framework and can show you can achieve a level 3 standard
• previously achieved a relevant level 2 recognised vocational qualification that is a mandatory requirement of the level 2 apprenticeshipsni framework in active leisure, learning and wellbeing framework

See also the DfE operational requirements.

Duration

Apprenticeship duration can vary and will be agreed between the apprentice, training contractor and employer.

Related knowledge

For this framework, to fulfil the employee rights and responsibilities requirements, you are required to complete one of the awards below. Framework certification is issued on confirmation from the training contractor that the award has been completed. (Note the award is not required for pathway 4)

• YMCA Awards Level 3 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning 500/6535/X
• City & Guilds Level 3 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning 500/6580/4
• 1^st4sport Level 3 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning 500/7423/4
• Active IQ Level 3 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning 500/7410/6
• Focus Awards Level 3 Award in Employment Awareness in Active Leisure and Learning 601/4969/3

Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the training contractor/college to ensure that all components of this framework are delivered in accordance with apprenticeshipsni operational requirements.

The apprentice must be employed from day one.

Further information

The content of this framework (Framework No 384 Issue 14: 02/25) has been agreed by the Department for the Economy.  For further information, contact:

• Department for the Economy - Apprenticeships Delivery and Performance Branch