Places Leisure has announced a new strategic partnership with COPA as the preferred apprenticeship delivery partner for its leisure centres, following a six-month pilot.

COPA will support Places Leisure to support displaced learners, build sustainable talent pipelines, develop internal capability and invest in its people to create sustainable career routes across active leisure. Places Leisure is a subsidiary of social enterprise, Places for People, which set up PfP Thrive in October 2024 to tackle skills shortages across the sectors it operates in.

“Developing our people is central to the success of Places Leisure,” says PfP Thrive spokesperson, Tom Arey. “Working with COPA as a preferred apprenticeship partner enables us to strengthen skills across our 109 leisure centres, support progression from within, and ensure our workforce is equipped for the future of active leisure, wellbeing, and sustainable operations”

The partnership will focus on developing fitness, wellbeing, health, and energy apprenticeship pathways, ensuring programmes are industry-relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the leisure sector.

Gareth James, managing director, COPA said: “We’re delighted to formalise our partnership with Places Leisure following a strong six-month collaboration. This strategic relationship allows us to support displaced learners while building the skills and capability needed across fitness, wellbeing, health, and energy apprenticeships. Together, we’re focused on creating high-quality, sustainable career pathways that genuinely meet the needs of the sector.”