Centre of Excellence for Fitness for Employers
Lifetime offers two unique employer-approved apprenticeships for those looking to start a career in the active leisure sector and most importantly, these apprenticeship programmes delivery qualified, work-ready candidates to your business. So if your business is looking to recruit qualified life guards, leisure attendants, fitness instructors, activity leaders or assistant sports coaches – at no cost to you – then the CEFF apprenticeship programme could be the perfect solution.
Awarded as Centre of Excellence for Fitness for National Employers (CEFF) by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure (NSA) in 2008, Lifetime is the only training provider to offer these work-relevant and industry recognised apprenticeships and has trained and qualified over 1,250 apprentices since the programmes were launched.
Lifetime offers apprenticeships year round and so can provide candidates to your business whenever you need them.
Why participate?
- Saves you time and money
- Staff recruitment costs reduced – Lifetime charges no placement fee
- Lifetime finds and trains the candidates for you
- Apprenticeships are government funded – training at no cost to your business
- Opportunity to participate in the government’s Apprenticeship Extension Programme (AEP) drawing down £95 per week further training support for each apprentice during their NVQ. See below for more information about AEP.
On-going opportunity to employ role-ready fitness instructors, leisure attendants, assistant sports coaches, life guards and activity leaders hand-picked by you:
- Candidates interviewed by Lifetime and by you
- REPs qualified and more!
- Mentored by Lifetime’s tutors and assessors throughout the 16-weeks (including the NVQ)
- Bringing the best of tutored courses and work-based learning together
- Trained by the best
The Apprenticeship Expansion Programme (AEP)
The Apprenticeship Expansion Programme (AEP) is an exciting and very relevant government initiative designed to assist 16-24 years gain employment in the health and fitness industry. Delivered by Lifetime, in conjunction with the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure (NSA), the AEP is to fund hundreds of activity leader and fitness instructor apprentices during their first 12 weeks in the industry whilst they complete their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in the workplace.
This initiative is great news for the industry, for employers and for apprentices. AEP is an opportunity for learners to receive an additional training allowance – either directly from the NSA if they secure a work placement or as part of their salary from their employer if they secure a fulltime (min. 16 hours) job – of £95 a week, making their first few months in the industry much easier. For employers it means qualified, work-ready employees and no recruitment fees or training costs to get them started.
“This is a superb opportunity for school leavers wishing to create a solid foundation for their fledgling career in the leisure industry,” says Nigel Wallace, Director of Training at Lifetime. “As well as being awarded a highly regarded leisure qualification, individuals will gain vital vocational experience which will guarantee them the best employment prospects.”
“Despite the general economic downturn, our industry continues to grow. The government focus upon getting the nation active through campaigns like Change4Life offers school leavers, and those looking to change their job, fantastic career opportunities,” says Nigel. “We’re extremely pleased to be able to help these people get their feet on the career ladder by offering a swift and effective route into employment.”
If you’d like to know more about AEP and how it can help your business, contact our Placement Officer, Charlotte McCarthy at charlotte.mccarthy@lifetimehf.co.uk
