The distribution of qualification attainment in the SkillsActive sector is very similar to that seen across the whole-England economy:

• 30% are qualified to Level 4 and above, 29% across all sectors of the economy
• 29% have below Level 2 qualifications, the same as for England as a whole

However, there needs to be a distinction between general levels of qualifications and sector-specific qualifications.  Sector-specific qualifications are believed to be in short supply, but are required by the industry for regulatory and licensing purposes.

Playwork is the most well qualified sector, as 47% of the workforce have Level
4 or 5 qualifications, and only 21% have no or Level 1 qualifications.  However, this data is misleading as the industry is dominated by primary education where the workforce is qualified to a high level.  There is a notable gap in Level 2 and 3 qualified individuals in Playwork and there is a shortage of people with playwork specific qualifications.

The health and fitness workforce is comparatively poorly qualified, as more workers are qualified to Levels 1 or 2, or have no qualifications, than in any of the other part of the sector.  Level 2 is the industry accepted minimum qualification for Fitness Instructors and Exercise to Music Teachers.

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – England 2005

For qualification level of the sector workforce in England, Scotland and Wales see:

In 2004, there were 17,500 S/NVQs in the Active Leisure and Learning sector with 9,000 certifications.

The UKCC initiative is leading National Governing Bodies in the sector to develop core coaching skills modules into Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications to make them more transferable within sport.  The operational and coaching/instructing/activity leading roles all require at a minimum either the Level 2 or 3 NVQ/ Fitness/ NGB Coaching qualifications or other technical qualifications.  Specialist and National Governing Body coaching and fitness related qualifications are valued by employers as improve participant skills.  There is widespread support from employers for the UK Coaching Certificate from the sector and individual applicable sub-sectors.

Source: Assessment of Current Provision – England 2006

The Apprenticeship framework contains occupational pathways in key sector areas including: 

• health and fitness
• coaching
• playwork
• the outdoors
• facility operations and management

The mandatory outcomes for completion lead to a Level 2 or Level 3 S/NVQ, some Key Skills awards, a Technical Certificate and other industry-relevant skills.

The Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence (AASE) responds to the need for talented youngsters to train and improve in their chosen sport while also gaining vocational or academic qualifications.  This is to ensure these young people have alternative employment opportunities if they do not succeed in their performance related pathway.

Sixty-nine work based learning qualifications from twelve awarding bodies were identified in the sector, but none were identified in the caravan industry.  The majority of the work based learning provision is within health and fitness, and sport and recreation at NVQ Levels 2 and 3.  There is, however, limited provision.

In Scotland, there were a total of 544 apprenticeships in Active Leisure and Learning in 2003/04, an increase of over one third.  75% of the apprenticeships were Skillseekers and 25% were Modern Apprenticeships. Overall, males outperformed females with an achievement rate of 65% compared to 41%.  Females only performed better in  playwork and did not perform well in fitness with a 31% achievement rate.

Source: Assessment of Current Provision – England 2006 and Skills Active regional fact sheet

For data on apprenticeship completions see:

There are a wide range of Further Education college-based courses in areas such as sport science and fitness instruction.  In 2003/04, over 490 separate qualifications from 81 awarding bodies were identified across the sector

The majority (96%) of those taking academic qualifications are aged under 19. However, the demographic for technical and not accredited qualifications is much older with 38% of students studying technical and 46% of students studying not accredited qualifications were aged over 24.

83% of students are aged under 25 years which is similar to student profiles for sport and recreation, and the outdoors. In caravans, playwork, plus health and fitness, there is an older age profile of students. On health and fitness courses, 40% of students are aged 25 years and over.

10% of the student population on SkillsActive course are from ethnic minority groups.  63% of students on sector related qualifications are male.

There are currently 9 Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVES) in sport, fitness, leisure services, coaching, early years and playwork. CoVEs in the sector are located at: College of West Anglia; Dearne Valley College; Hopwood Hall College; Loughborough College; Richmond upon Thames and Kinston College; SEEVIC College; Sussex Downs College; North Hertfordshire College; and Doncaster College.  SkillsActive is designing the criteria for the future recognition of CoVEs and how they will support the broader agenda for Further Education reform.

In Scotland, there were a total of 18,138 enrolments for Active Leisure and Learning courses in 2003/04.  Enrolments on these courses comprise an even male to female ratio, but playwork has 90% females whilst outdoors and caravans have a majority
of males (76% and 68% respectively).

Source: Assessment of Current Provision – England 2006, data provided by SkillsActive May 2006 and Skills Active regional fact sheet

For the gender profile of further education students see:

Higher-level qualifications are available at undergraduate and postgraduate level.  These include degrees in subject areas such as physical education, sports development, sports coaching, sport science and physiology and sport and recreation management.

In 2004, one in five (18%) of the 81,000 higher education applications in England onto SkillsActive courses were accepted.  By industry the number of entrants varies, including:

• 11,561 on sport and recreation courses
• 3,897 on health and fitness courses
• 5,25 on the outdoors courses
• 78 on playwork courses

Most higher education acceptances are on playwork and outdoors courses, but applications are highest for sports and fitness related courses.

However, there were over 1,550 entrants on coaching courses in the UK in 2004.  The number of applications on coaching courses has doubles in the last five years and there has been a 145% increase in acceptances since 1999.  The gender imbalance has remained unchanged with approximately seven in ten entrants who are male.

In Scotland, one in five applicants were also accepted onto higher education courses.  However, there are currently no higher education qualifications available in playwork or the caravan industry.  In 2004, there was an increase of 78% for acceptances onto sport and recreation courses and a higher proportion from men (7 in 10 entrants).

Graduate Apprenticeship, to be re-launched in the future, will be designed to act as a Higher Education and employment bridging programme that develops the occupational competence required by employers.  A foundation degree has been agreed and will be available in the future.

Source: Assessment of Current Provision – England 2006 and Assessment of Current Provision – Scotland 2006

For data on graduates on Active Leisure and Learning related courses see:

For more information on current education and training provision by industry see:

Sport and recreation 

Health and fitness  

Playwork