Fitness, exercise and leisure - level 2 apprenticeship framework
This framework sets out the standards and criteria you must meet to complete the apprenticeship programme and receive your apprenticeship certificate for level two fitness, exercise and leisure. This is the only level 2 training in this skill acceptable for apprenticeshipsni funding.
About the framework
This framework specifies the standards and the criteria for the delivery of level 2 apprenticeship training to achieve qualified status within the fitness, exercise and leisure sector. Successful completion of the apprenticeship will lead to the award of a level 2 qualification and recognition as a qualified person within the industry sector.
Mandatory outcomes
Achievement of a level 2 apprenticeship in fitness, exercise and leisure will be assessed by verification through the appropriate awarding body.
You must complete both a competence and 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 1
- communication – level 1
- Digital ICT Essential Skills at Entry Level 3, or if you already hold Entry Level 3, you are required to work towards the Level 1 Digital ICT Essential Skills (DfE funded).
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 one of the additional requirements indicated.
Pathway 1 – exercise and fitness pathway
Competence-based qualifications
Knowledge-based qualifications
- Focus awards certificate in fitness instructing 601/5883/9
- VTCT level 2 diploma in exercise health and fitness studies 600/8631/2
Additional requirements
- YMCA awards level 2 award in nutrition for healthy living 600/5269/7
- ActiveIQ level 2 certificate in leading health-related activity sessions 601/3891/9
One of the following may also be used as the additional employer requirement;
- any relevant qualification that is externally awarded and validated
- vocational assessor units
- 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 other key skills awards at level 2 (working with others, problem solving or improving own learning and performance)
- any register of exercise professionals (reps) accredited continuous professional development course worth 8 points or more
- any national governing body award (NGB) – coaching, teaching, or instructing and officiating qualifications for a specific sport, developed by the NGB of that sport to enable the participant to competently coach that sport
- any customer service competence units (at the same level as the competence qualification being completed for this framework)
- customer services awards / certificates
- any additional fitness, exercise and leisure and learning competence units
Note that the additional employer requirement must be at level 2, and certificates of attendance are not considered to be evidence of completion.
Pathway 2 – operational services
Competence-based qualifications
Knowledge-based qualifications
Additional requirements
One of the following may also be used as the additional requirement;
- (1) award in coaching [name of sport] qualifications or (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
- CTO 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)
The additional requirement must be completed at level 2 unless the occupational area and job roles justify the need for apprentices to gain a level 1 qualification first. Certificates of attendance are not accepted as evidence of completion.
Eligibility and entry to the programme
You must be a new employee or have been employed by your current employer for less than six months. There are no formal entry requirements for learners undertaking this apprenticeship, however employers may apply their own criteria at recruitment. Employers and training contractors must ensure that learners have the potential and opportunity to gain the apprenticeship successfully.
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, you are required to complete one of the following employment awareness awards which includes the required employee rights and responsibilities units. Framework certification is issued on confirmation from the training contractor that the award has been completed.
- YMCA awards award in employment awareness in active leisure and learning 500/6534/8
- 1st4sport award in employment awareness in active leisure and learning 500/7337/0
- Focus awards award in employment awareness in active leisure and learning 601/4968/1
- City & Guilds award in employment awareness in active leisure and learning 500/6581/6
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 33 Issue 21: 08/26) has been agreed by the Department for the Economy. For further information, contact: