FATP · an independent directoryApprenticeship data sourced from DfE, ESFA and IfATEUpdated daily · GB
L3Apprenticeship2282 approved providers
The Level 3 Leisure Duty Manager, and the 2 providers delivering it.
Managing the day to day operation of a leisure facility.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to manage the daily operation of a leisure facility, covering areas such as health and safety compliance, staff supervision, customer service, and facility maintenance coordination. The training develops skills in risk assessment, incident response, opening and closing procedures, and handling operational issues as they arise. Apprentices also build knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding responsibilities, and financial procedures such as cash handling and basic budget awareness.
Day-to-day responsibilities
A typical week involves supervising front-line staff, conducting pool or facility safety checks, responding to customer complaints and incidents, and carrying out risk assessments. Duty managers open or close the facility, complete operational logs, liaise with lifeguards and fitness staff, and ensure the building meets health, safety, and hygiene standards. They may also handle till reconciliation, monitor session bookings, and act as the responsible person on shift in the absence of senior management.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to roles such as Leisure Centre Duty Manager, Facility Supervisor, or Operations Team Leader. From there, common progression routes include Leisure Centre Manager or Area Operations Manager. Employers range from local authority leisure trusts and private gym operators to hotels with leisure facilities, holiday parks, and sports centres. The qualification is well recognised across the leisure and facilities management sector and supports progression into more senior operational or general management positions.
2 approved providers
Sorted by achievement rate.
CMS Vocational Training
Employer: 4.0
CMS Vocational Training Ltd is an established apprenticeship and skills provider based in Batley, We...
ActivFirst
ActivFirst Training is a fast-growing education and training provider specialising in government-fun...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this standard typically leads to a Leisure Duty Manager or Leisure Facility Supervisor post, often formalising a role the apprentice was already working towards. Some move into Assistant Leisure Centre Manager positions, taking on shift leadership, health and safety compliance, and day-to-day operational oversight. Roles in aquatics supervision, fitness facility coordination, and community sport operations are also common entry points, depending on the employer's focus.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many progress to Leisure Centre Manager or Operations Manager level, holding full responsibility for a facility's performance, staffing, and budget. From there, the career can branch in two directions. Those drawn to operational leadership may move into Area or Regional Manager roles overseeing multiple sites. Those who prefer a specialist track might move into aquatics management, health and safety coordination, or community sport development at a strategic level.
Where these roles sit
Public leisure trusts and local authority leisure services are the main employers, alongside private health club operators and national leisure management contractors. Facilities range from single community leisure centres to large multi-site organisations running swimming pools, gyms, and sports halls. The charity and not-for-profit sector, particularly leisure trusts operating council-owned facilities, accounts for a significant share of hiring. Smaller independent facilities and holiday park operators also recruit at this level.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in a real leisure facility, with the apprentice developing competence in day-to-day operational management while employed in the role. Throughout the programme, the apprentice builds knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to running a facility safely and effectively. Before final assessment, both the employer and training provider carry out a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, to confirm the apprentice is prepared. Final assessment then verifies that the apprentice can genuinely perform at the level required of a duty manager. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the gov.uk page for this standard to see the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Gathering evidence of real work from the start makes the final stages much more manageable. Apprentices should keep records of shifts managed, incidents handled, team briefings led and any operational decisions taken, rather than trying to reconstruct that evidence later. Regular reviews with both the employer and training provider will help identify any gaps in knowledge or practical experience before the gateway. Staying organised throughout the programme, rather than treating assessment as a separate event at the end, puts apprentices in a stronger position when readiness is formally reviewed.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers with an achievement rate above 65% on their FATP profile, ideally higher given the relatively short 18-month duration. Strong providers will have tutors or assessors with direct operational backgrounds in leisure facility management, not just generic business administration experience. Because this role involves real-time facility oversight, lone working, and emergency response, check that off-the-job learning includes scenario-based safety and incident management training. Employer satisfaction scores on FATP are worth scrutinising closely, as this apprenticeship relies on tight employer-provider coordination to give apprentices genuine duty management exposure.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious of providers who deliver this standard as a bolt-on to a broader business administration portfolio with no visible leisure sector specialism. A high volume of starts paired with a flat or declining achievement rate should prompt questions about learner support and cohort attrition. Vague descriptions of how they assess operational competency, particularly around emergency procedures, health and safety compliance, and shift management, suggest the programme may not reflect real duty manager responsibilities. If a provider cannot point to alumni working in supervisory or management roles in leisure settings, that is a meaningful gap.
Questions to ask before you commit
- What operational experience do your assessors or coaches have in leisure facility management specifically?
- How do you assess competency in emergency procedures and incident management within the apprenticeship?
- What does your current achievement rate look like for this standard, and how has it trended over the last two years?
- How do you coordinate with employers to ensure apprentices are getting genuine duty management responsibilities during the programme?
- Can you share examples of where past apprentices have progressed after completing this standard?
- How large is a typical cohort, and how much one-to-one support can an apprentice expect?
- What does your off-the-job training look like, and how much of it is relevant to managing a live facility?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for the Leisure Duty Manager apprenticeship?
There are no nationally mandated entry requirements, but most employers expect candidates to have some experience working in a leisure or fitness environment. You will need to be employed in a duty manager or supervisory role for the duration. English and maths qualifications at level 2 are required before the end-point assessment if not already held, so many providers assess these at the start and offer support where needed.
How long does the Leisure Duty Manager apprenticeship take and how is the time split between work and study?
The typical duration is 18 months. Apprentices remain employed throughout and apply their learning directly to their workplace. A portion of contracted hours must be spent on off-the-job training, such as structured learning, shadowing, or skills development away from routine tasks. The exact percentage is subject to current Skills England reforms, so check the latest specification on gov.uk for the current requirement before committing.
How is the apprenticeship assessed at the end?
Before moving to end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment models for many standards are being reviewed under current reforms, so check gov.uk for the up-to-date assessment plan for this standard. Typically, assessment involves a practical observation, professional discussion, or portfolio-based activity to demonstrate competence in managing a leisure facility.
How does an employer pay for the Leisure Duty Manager apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £5,000, which is the maximum the government will contribute toward training costs. Levy-paying employers draw costs from their digital apprenticeship service account. Smaller employers co-invest, paying 5% of training costs with the government covering the remaining 95%. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing, with the government funding the full amount. Costs are paid directly to the training provider.
What does a Leisure Duty Manager apprentice actually do at work?
Day-to-day responsibilities typically include supervising staff across shifts, ensuring health and safety compliance, managing pool or facility operations, handling customer complaints, and supporting the opening and closing of the site. Apprentices are likely to carry out risk assessments, lead briefings with front-line staff, monitor facility cleanliness and equipment, and respond to emergencies. The role bridges operational delivery and line management, so apprentices gain experience of both customer-facing and supervisory responsibilities.
What can someone do after completing the Leisure Duty Manager apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship positions someone for progression into facility or general management roles within leisure, sport, or fitness settings. From there, further apprenticeships at level 5 in operational or departmental management are a natural step. Some apprentices move into specialist areas such as health and wellbeing, aquatics management, or sport development. Professional body qualifications through organisations such as the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity can complement this standard and support longer-term career development.
Not sure which provider fits?
Tell us a bit about your team and we'll send a shortlist.
Need help choosing a provider?
Tell us your requirements and we'll match you with the right training providers.
Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 228.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.