SkillsActive

Fitness endorsement panel

Our fitness endorsement panel is made up of sector representatives from employers, training providers, Higher Education, and industry experts. 

Members of the panel have worked over the last few years to develop a CPD system for the exercise and fitness sector which improves the quality of training and raises standards.

The panel advises SkillsActive on the technical content of submissions and plays a role in quality assuring the delivery of training, which is then ultimately recognised by Register of Exercise Professionals. 

Evaluators are required to sign and agree to the following documentations.

  • Code of conduct
  • Job Specification
  • Terms of reference

If you have not submitted the above documents to SkillsActive please sign and post back to

SkillsActive Endorsement
Castlewood House
New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX

Technical Expert Group

The technical expert group (TEG), sport and fitness employers group (SAFE) and the endorsement panel work together to ensure that the training and qualifications fitness professionals access is of high quality and valued by the sector. 

The work of these groups is clearly important to training providers working in the fitness sector, and the provision of information around submission dates and minutes of panel meetings is provided to ensure key issues are communicated effectively.

Evaluators Documentation

  • Evaluators report – This is completed by evaluators when reviewing a CPD submission.
  • Evaluator guidance manual – This provides guidance to all evaluators when reviewing CPD submissions.
  • Minutes from endorsement panel – link to all minutes

Quality Assurance Documentation

  • Training providers QA reports – link to all reports
  • QA Procedure
  • QA Timetable request
  • QA Confirmation letter
  • QA Agent toolkit
  • QA Risk assessment report

Consultancy Documentation

  • Consultancy Application form

Submission Packs

  • Attachments

 

Useful Links

Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS)

OCR

Active IQ

Lifelong Learning UK

City and Guilds

Central YMCA Qualifications

 

Sport and fitness employers group (SAFE)

 

SAFE is a strategic group made up of leading sport and fitness employers, managed in partnership with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA). It exists to provide leadership and direction in policy areas concerned with workforce development across this sector, and specifically to:

  • Ensure sector related qualifications are fit for purpose, and facilitate the professionalisation of the industry.
  • Oversee the development of sector national occupational standards.
  • Influence and inform public sector funding policy and practice through initiatives such as the Growth and Innovation Fund, the Employer Investment Fund, research initiatives and agreeing a strategy for the development of sector-based qualifications.
  • Support the continuing development of the Register of Exercise Professionals as an industry-accepted 'license to practice'.
  • Support and facilitate effective partnerships across the sector.

There is employer representation from the Trust (SPORTA), Contractor (LMCA), Local Authority (CLOA) and Private Operator (FIA) sectors. National Governing Bodies of sport are also represented. SAFE meets 4 times a year, and the management of the group is undertaken jointly by SkillsActive and the Fitness Industry Association.

 

SAFE Terms of Reference

 

For more information about the work of SAFE, please contact Gary Lee This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Expert groups - fitness

Our role is leading an employer-led agenda for action on skills, and a major tool in delivering this goal is through specialist groups which we can consult with and receive advice from on sub-sector issues. 

In the fitness sector we have two key groups:

Expert groups - sport

Through these groups we act as a conduit between employers, sectors and governments (and related organisations and agencies) to ensure that a clear and current picture of the needs and issues of the sector is promoted.

We also work closely with NGBs, training providers, funding and development agencies.

Much of our work with our sectors comes through expert groups and in sport we are engaged in the following groups:

Fitness Joint Investment Programme

Funded Training Opportunity for Fitness Professionals

Individuals working in the sector in England could qualify for match-funded training as part of the Government’s Joint Investment Programme.

 

Supported by SkillsActive, in partnership with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and the Sport and Fitness Employers Group (SAFE), specific training courses have been identified to support public health and the delivery of physical activity.

 

The delivery of the training is being co-ordinated by Sussex Downs College, with the courses being specially identified as filling existing skills-gaps in the fitness sector.Now employers, and those who are self-employed, are being urged to apply for up to 50 per cent funding of the cost of this training.

 

SkillsActive’s Sport and Fitness Manager Gary Lee says: “The Joint Investment Programme has £278,000 set aside to meet skills gaps in the fitness industry and we now need employers (and those who are self-employed) to apply for access to this training.’’

“This is a great opportunity for fitness professionals to gain highly-valued qualifications at a heavily discounted price. I know from my work with the fitness industry how motivated and keen to learn fitness professionals, are and I’m sure they won’t let an opportunity like this pass.”

 

The courses available are:

 

• L2 Award in Understanding Health Improvement

• L3 Award in Adapting Exercise for Older Adults

• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Older Adults

• L2 Award in Community Activation

• L3 Unit - Enabling Individuals to Change Behaviour and Improve Health and Well-being while working as a Health Trainer

• L2 Unit - Customer Care and Diversity in Active Leisure

• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for Ante and Post Natal Participants

• L3 Award in Adapting Physical Activity for People with Disabilities

• L4 Certificate for the management of lower back pain

 

Employers will be expected to provide 50% of the cost of the qualification and the Skills Funding Agency will match this commitment.

 

This programme, developed on behalf of the sector in, has earned much of its success through the support of employers.  However, the opportunity to benefit from this programme still exists for all employers in the sector, including those who originally expressed an interest but did not commit any learner details.

Please visit our short survey at Survey Monkey JIP  to register your interest in the programme.  The information you provide will then be submitted to the lead training provider, Sussex Downs College, who will connect you to the network of providers who will deliver the training.