Awarding body Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) has formed a strategic partnership with Youth Sport Trust as part of efforts to offer support to young people who have chosen a career in the active leisure sector.

The partnership has identified its goal as developing and providing information, advice and guidance for young people working in the industry.

As part of the work, the two will also look to expand CYQ's current work with schools across the UK.

The partnership has been created partly in response to the "severe cuts" faced by careers guidance services in schools and community settings which include the proposed closure of Connexions and the Next Steps service.

According to public sector trade union UNISON there are concerns over the future for careers guidance with potential job losses in the sector.

Lori Randall, CYQ's director of business development said: "I am delighted that CYQ is working in partnership with the Youth Sport Trust.

"At CYQ we regard this as a strategic and highly important move in collaborating more closely with schools and in supporting young people in the general area of health and wellbeing.

"CYQ is committed to providing information to young learners looking to forge a career in the active leisure sector as well as offering qualifications and resources that provide knowledge to improve their lifestyle and skills to give them a foothold in achieving a qualification to enter the industry.

The Youth Sport Trust is an independent charity devoted to changing young people's lives through sport.

CYQ is part of Central YMCA and is one of the UK's leading awarding organisations for health, fitness and wellbeing.

For more details on the partnership, click here.