Apprenticeships, NVQs and you

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are nationally designed training programmes for people who have already left full time education or are already in employment. They provide young people with a combination of on and off-the-job training to develop skills and knowledge required within the industry.  An apprenticeship is made up of an NVQ, plus key skills and other technical certificates specific to the industry to enhance your skills and knowledge.

What is an NVQ?

NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualification.  The standards for NVQs are set by the Sector Skills Council for the industry. As a national qualification it is recognised by all employers as evidence that you are competent in meeting the national standards.   NVQs are achieved through assessment and training in the workplace.

Why should I do an NVQ?

You will be able to develop your skills to be better at your job, you will be nationally recognised as being competent and this will improve your career prospects.

Are fitness NVQs recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)?

All fitness NVQs are recognised and endorsed by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and will allow you to gain access to the register at full status.   Fitness NVQs also provide you with a 1 year worth of REPs continuing professional development (CPD) credits.   So even if you have a REPs full status qualification you can up-grade to the NVQ and gain CPD credits for completing the award.

What is a technical certificate?

Most apprenticeship programmes have one or more technical certificates, dependent on the level.  A technical certificate is also an industry recognised national qualification which focuses on the knowledge and understanding that underpins the NVQ competencies.  They may also over wider aspects of the occupation or sector.

What are key skills? 

All apprentices have the opportunity to improve their key skills, such as communication and number skills.  Key skills are essential skills that underpin success in education, employment, lifelong learning and development.  Key skills are essential to work effectively in the leisure industry.

How do I complete the qualifications and do I need to sit exams?

The NVQ is a work-based qualification, which means that all of the training and assessment for the NVQ will be completed on-site.   You will need to build a NVQ portfolio of evidence.  Your regional trainer will observe you in the workplace and guide you on which pieces of work-based evidence are suitable for your portfolio.

Because the technical certificates focus on the knowledge and understanding that underpins the NVQ, most technical certificates will involve a theory or practical assessment.  

Key Skills will involve the development of a portfolio, and some key skills also include a multiple choice assessment.

Will I need to attend training courses?

It depends on your level of competency and which NVQ you are completing.  Most fitness qualifications will require you to attend a taught course to cover the practical components for the technical certificate and NVQ.  Lifetime offers distance learning materials and interactive CD ROMs to cover the theory elements of the fitness qualifications.  In-house training and development may also cover the knowledge requirements to complete the qualifications. 

What resources will I receive?

Each learner will receive Candidate Assessment Records which will guide you on the types of evidence you need to collect as you develop your NVQ portfolio of evidence.  In addition Lifetime has a range of distance learning materials and support CD ROMs which may be used depending on which programme you are completing.

Who will help me through my vocational qualification?

Lifetime’s apprenticeships are delivered by our qualified and experience regional trainers. Each workplace will be allocated the relevant regional trainer(s) who in turn will discuss the apprenticeship opportunities with the learner to establish an Individual Learner Plan. Once agreed, the regional trainer will then visit the learner in the workplace to observe and take him/her through their qualification.

Visits usually take place every three weeks with the aim of completing the programme in six months.

What programmes can I do?

Lifetime offers employers the opportunity to provide the following work-based learning programmes to their employees:

• Level 2 Operational Services (ISRM Certificate)
• Level 2 Instructing Exercise and Fitness
• Level 2 Customer Service (BTEC)
• Level 2 Sales
• Level 2 Food and Drink Service
• Level 2 Food and Drink Service (food specific)
• Level 2 Food and Drink Service (drink specific)
• Level 2 Front Office
• Level 2 Housekeeping
• Level 2 Food Processing and Cooking
• Level 2 Team Leader
• Level 2 Activity Leadership
• Level 3 Leisure Management
• Level 3 Instructing Physical Activity in Exercise
• Level 3 Customer Service
• Level 3 Sales
• Level 3 Diploma in Hospitality and Supervision

Who can go on the programme?

The programme is funded by the government’s Learning & Skills Council (LSC), and is open to employees of companies working in partnership with Lifetime and who meet the funding eligibility criteria:

• aged 16-24 years and meet the criteria for funding
• working more than 16 hours per week
• not in full time education or other funded training
• do not have a degree or HND
• you and your manager commit to you completing the qualification

How long will it take to complete my qualification?

Programmes will take on average 6-9 months to complete, but you can complete it more quickly if you want to. You must be committed to completing the whole programme. Once you have completed Level 2 you may be able to progress to an advanced Level 3.

How much will it cost?

As the programme is funded by the Learning Skills Council (LSC), the training is government funded and therefore is delivered at no cost to you or your employer. All you have to do is commit to the training, complete your assessment plan activities set with your assessor between each visit, and ensure you make your assessor appointments. 

How do I get started?

If you are interested in enrolling or finding out more about the programmes speak to your line manager to see if your organisation is working with Lifetime. Your line manager can then arrange for you to meet your Lifetime regional trainer.