Over the last four years, Future Fit Training, with support from CIMSPA and in partnership with ukactive, have published findings in regard to the state of the sector’s workforce in their Raising the Bar reports. This session will explore the wider issues facing the sector in terms of workforce skills and will provide you with an opportunity to help shape the future of the sector.

1. SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE
SECTOR’S WORKFORCE
Elaine Briggs
Head of Education and Innovation

2. RAISING THE BAR
Back in 2014 we were becoming increasingly aware of frustrations being voiced by
operators and the sector at large, with regards to the work-readiness of newly qualified
fitness professionals…
2014 2015 2016 2018

3. GAUGING EMPLOYER OPINIONS
ASSESSMENT STANDARDSMETHODS OF TRAINING
EMPLOYMENT PATHWAYSSKILLS REQUIREMENTS

4. Not one respondent
was satisfied with
the current Level 3
Personal Training
qualification.
100% of respondents
answered either ‘yes’ or
‘sometimes’ whether they
have to provide additional
training to fitness staff.
Not one respondent
believed current assessment
methods are robust enough
or included sufficient practical
assessment.
All respondents said
Personal Trainers should
undertake their assessment
on a real life candidate.
INITIAL DISSATISFACTION

5. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS MATRIX
The CIMSPA Professional Standards Matrix outlines occupations
and job roles within the sport and physical activity sector, by
defining what knowledge and skills an individual must
understand and demonstrate to undertake a particular role.

6. QUALIFICATIONS
73% believed that
personal training
qualifications should
take at least six
months to complete.
CANDIDATES
87% said that
candidates are
entering the industry
with unrealistic
expectations.
TRAINING
92% provide
additional training
to ensure that
fitness staff are
work ready.
Fast forward to 2018…

7. THE SKILLS GAP – OUR
BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
COMMERCIAL ACUMEN SOCIAL SKILLS BEHAVIOUR CHANGE SKILLS

8. RAISING THE BAR STAKEHOLDER GROUP
A group of organisations coming together to and
education across the sector. It is designed to
To share best practice and foster innovation and it will
into industry best practice…
improve the quality of training
establish principles, aspirations and goals.
produce publications, resources
and conduct research

9. Break- out group questions:
1. What do you feel are currently the main barriers to our sector when
considering how we can improve quality of training and education?
2. How can we share best practice across the sector and continue to
raise the bar and support the professionalisation of the sector?
3. What would you like to see on the agenda for the first meeting of this
new forum?

10. FEEDBACK/NEXT STEPS