Duty managers and supervisors at three Hampshire leisure centres are the first learners in the UK to start an advanced apprenticeship leading to a new qualification from Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ), the UK's leading health and fitness awarding body.

The group - employed at Havant and Waterlooville leisure centres and Romsey Rapids - will spend the next 18 months working towards CYQ's new Level 3 NVQ in Leisure Management.

THIS WAY FOR TRAINING. From left: Sarah Edmonds, CYQ Southern Region Verifier, learners Rachael Mills, Luke Robinson, Stephen Madden, Matt Evans, Gareth Jones and Adrianne Banham, and Anthea Fry, Catch22 South East Training's Sport and Recreation Learning and Employment Co-ordinator.

Designed specifically for managers working in health and fitness, the qualification is delivered in the workplace and will develop their skills in team leadership, customer service and resource management.

The qualification is being delivered by Portsmouth based training provider Catch22 South East Training, the first in the UK to offer the CYQ course which is equivalent to A-level study. 

Adrianne Banham, 23, a supervisor at the Waterlooville leisure centre for the past five years, said: 'This is a great qualification to have on the CV. You have to take this kind of qualification when it comes your way.'

Ms Banham is joined on the training by Havant and Waterlooville colleagues Stephen Madden, Matt Evans, Becky Thomas, Luke Robinson, Gareth Jones and Rachael Mills. Sarah Edmonds, CYQ Southern Region Verifier, said: 'Catch22 South East Training has proved to be a first rate training provider and I am thrilled they are the first of our approved centres to offer this apprenticeship. Employers have been crying out for this kind of qualification as it officially recognises the skills, abilities and hard work that is put into the leisure industry.' 

Each Candidate Assessment Record is backed by a Support Pack, which contains useful forms for supporting evidence collection such as bespoke observation checklists and candidate work logs.

Level 2 - £40 (£30 upon registration, £10 upon certification) per candidate Level 3 - £50 (£40 upon registration, £10 upon certification) per candidate