A selection of duty managers and supervisors at three Hampshire leisure centres are the first in the UK to start an advanced apprenticeship leading to a new qualification from Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ).

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. 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. Anthea Fry, Sport and Recreation Learning and Employment Co-ordinator of Catch22 South East Training, said: "An apprenticeship is an excellent way to learn the skills needed to enjoy better career progression and we are delighted to be the first provider in the UK to offer this leisure management qualification awarded by CYQ."

Sarah Edmonds, CYQ Southern Region Verifier, added: "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." The new NVQ in Leisure Management also heralds the launch of a new suite of resources for all NVQs awarded by CYQ. The new resources have been designed to make the delivery of NVQs in the workplace as simple and effective as possible. Candidate Assessment Records have been formatted to make referencing achievement against performance criteria quick and easy.

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.