Apprenticeships, NVQs and you
What is an Apprenticeship or NVQ?
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.
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 Apprenticeship?
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 Apprenticeships recognised by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs)?
All fitness Apprenticeships 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 Apprenticeships 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 Apprenticeship 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, ICT (Information and Communication Technology) 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 most industries.
How do I complete the qualifications and do I need to sit exams?
The Apprenticeship is a work-based qualification, which means that all of the training and assessment for the Apprenticeship will be completed on-site. You will need to build an Apprenticeship 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 Apprenticeship, 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 Apprenticeship you are completing. Most fitness qualifications will require you to attend a taught course to cover the practical components for the technical certificate and Apprenticeship. 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 Apprenticeship 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?
The Apprenticeships are delivered by Lifetime's 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.
Across the length of an Apprenticeship the learner will be visited by a regional trainer every three to five weeks.
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
- 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
- minimum working hours apply*
How long will it take to complete my qualification?
Apprenticeships across sector take on average 6 to18 months to complete. 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.
* Minimum working hours of employee are subject to the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) Policy and Guidelines at the start of Apprenticeship.
