The government has launched its £1.9m Apprenticeship Expansion Programme (AEP) in sport and active leisure, created to help fill the skills gap of Level 3 instructors and to get more than 1,400 people involved in apprenticeships during the next two years.

AEP is led by the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure (NSA) in collaboration with training provider Lifetime - the Centre of Excellence for Fitness for National Employers. The programme is designed to meet the additional expenses, such as training and management costs, associated with expanding apprenticeship schemes from Level 2 to Level 3. Apprentices will be equipped with the necessary work-based skills through Lifetime, which will provide government-funded training in Level 2 fitness instructing during a four-week course and a Level 3 personal training qualification in five weeks. They will then enter the workplace to complete their NVQ in order to help fill their skills shortages. The government may also fund the first three months of an apprentice's wages.

The programme will be run in partnership with private operators and leisure management companies that are NSA members, including SkillsActive, DC Leisure, LA Fitness, Leisure Connection, SLM and Serco Leisure as well as PCTs and local authorities. Mark Hyde, national director for the NSA, says: "Fitness and leisure operators are at the forefront in tackling the obesity crisis. To support an increase in participation, we also need an increase in the number of coaches, instructors and support staff. Without a bigger and more skilled workforce, the government's health agenda is at risk."