The government has given its backing to several new vocational qualifications for 16-19 year-olds preparing for a career in the physical activity sector.

The Department of Education (DfE) has approved Active IQ’s Level 3 Technical Diploma and Level 2 Technical Certificate in Physical Activity, Fitness and Exercise Science for funding and inclusion in the new 16-19 performance tables. The Level 3 Diploma has also been accepted onto the new UCAS Tariff for progression to higher education from 2017.

The qualifications have been developed in collaboration with major employers and training providers from the active leisure sector, to ensure that the content is reflective of the skills required for the sector. Due to be taught from September 2016 alongside qualifications such as A Levels and other vocational qualifications, the diploma provides skills required for a range of roles, including fitness instructing, personal training and leisure operation, as well as being able to access higher education degree programmes.

“Gaining approval for our new Technical Level qualifications is a key development for our Active Pathway for students,” said Active IQ’s new managing director Jenny Patrickson.

“We can now equip learners aged 16-19 years old with a clear line of sight to gainful employment in our ever-expanding sector and ensure our qualifications provide operators with high calibre graduates who can hit the ground running.”

The approval comes just weeks after the Association of Colleges (AoC) – the national body for sport and physical activity in colleges – refreshed its standards in response to the government’s Sporting Future sports strategy.

The AoC updated its standards to encourage colleges to “embed sport and physical activity across the curriculum” and help staff identify how sport or physical activity, or links to leisure industry employers, can “support and improve outcomes for students”.