Funded Training Opportunity for REPs’ Members

REPs’ members, 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 access to this training as part of it. “This is a great opportunity for fitness instructors 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 in 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, or those who are self-employed, will be expected to provide 50% of the cost of the qualification and the Skills Funding Agency will match this.

Courses marked * will give REPs categories, others gain REPs CPD points.

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 for the project, Sussex Downs College, who will connect you to the delivery network.

Vitality news….

REPs’ Communications Manager Pauline Ward, reports back from Earls Court in London and the Vitality Show 2012!

She writes: “The show was held from 22^nd – 25^th March.  We had a team of REPs staff and more than 40 level 3 Personal Trainers too. 

“Our PTs had agreed to help us offer visiting members of the public a brief health MOT and to talk to them about REPS. Each Personal Trainer worked a three-hour shift as part of a team of four. Some enjoyed the experience so much they helped every day increasing the number to five at busy times!

“Special thanks to Viraj who was on the stand every day. One PT who helped us said ‘It was lovely to meet you and I really enjoyed the stall and chatting to people’.

“It was so nice to work with our members promoting our public awareness campaign.  The people we spoke to at the show seemed really interested in the Register and said what a great idea it was.

“At times we had five PTs all speaking with members of the public and completing the REPs Health/Lifestyle MOT at the same time!  The MOT was specially designed for the Vitality show to engage with the public and to give them something positive they could take away. 

“We also had a competition to win a session with a PT as  first prize. The second prize was a hamper containing a selection of health foods from Linwoods (http://www.linwoods.co.uk/).  In total 265 people entered.

“We gave out hundreds of leaflets about REPs and were able to offer free day passes for some of our corporate supporters’ clubs/gyms.  We were also able to engage with hundreds of people via the Health/Lifestyle MOT.

“On the Sunday I spoke with James Martin (celebrity chef) about REPs and he took a leaflet!  Jean-Ann our Registrar was able to meet with various health and fitness magazines building on our public  awareness campaign.

“Prior to the show we held a REPs members’ competition for complimentary tickets to the show via the REPs’ facebook page.   One of our winners Beth Warren was absolutely delighted with her tickets and took her mum to the show.  She said it was a great day and lovely to meet such friendly people on the stand.

“The Personal Trainers who helped on the stand really enjoyed the experience and most have said they would love to help again at any future events.  If you know of a local event where you would have the opportunity to promote REPs and public awareness of the Register please get in touch with us and we can send copies of the Health/Lifestyle MOT or some REPs leaflets.”

Free up-skilling units for members

To reflect working practices, many qualifications have now changed to include small sections on working with atypical clients. This enables instructors to adapt their mainstream classes for clients who may have additional requirements but who are still capable of attending a regular session. This could include older adults/children and vulnerable adults/pre and post natal clients/14-16 year olds/those with disabilities.

Taking these upskilling units is vital to ensure your qualifications are up-to-date.

The five specially written assessment units can be found in the members’ area of the REPs’ website – http://www.exerciseregister.org. Taking all the units also earns you 5 CPD points

By completing all five you will have met the agreed current National Occupational Standards required for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) criteria (the new standard). These additional categories are now included in all REPs’ entry categories.

REPs urges all members to take these units, especially those who have taken the courses below.

It may be difficult to know which framework your qualification was part of and therefore all qualification codes affected are listed below (please check your certificate for the qualification code). If these qualification codes match yours, you will require the additional information and therefore you should complete these free assessments. If you are in any doubt we recommend that you do this training as it can also be a refresher and may be needed for insurance purposes if you should include members of these special populations in your sessions.

Awarding Organisation	Level	Qualification Title	Qualification Accreditation Number (QAN)
Active IQ	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/1803/6
Active IQ	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/4030/3
Active IQ	3	NVQ Level 3 in Instruction Physical Activity and Exercise	500/1721/4
Active IQ	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing	500/1825/5
Active IQ	3	Certificate in Personal Training	500/3697/X
C&G	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/3821/7
C&G	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/1736/6
C&G	3	NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise	500/3832/1
C&G	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (Gym)	500/1737/8
CYQ	2	Diploma in Exercise and Fitness Instructing	500/4273/7
CYQ	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/1718/4
CYQ	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/3157/0
CYQ	3	Certificate in Personal Training	500/1848/6
CYQ	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing	500/1717/2
CYQ	3	NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise	100/4822/4
Edexcel	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/3986/6
NCFE	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/2233/7
NCFE	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/5450/8
NCFE	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing	500/2235/0
NCFE	3	NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise	500/5451/X
OCR	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/2034/1
OCR	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/3486/8
OCR	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (Gym)	500/1606/4
OCR	3	NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise	500/3487/X
VTCT	2	NVQ in Instructing Exercise and Fitness	500/3276/8
VTCT	2	Certificate in Fitness Instructing	500/1820/6
VTCT	3	Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing (Gym)	500/1799/8
C&G	3	Level 3 NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise -Gym	100/5387/6

REPs in The Sun

REPs has made headlines again – this time in Britain’s biggest-selling paper – The Sun. The Register was featured in the careers section of the newspaper (circulation 2.3 million) highlighting training as a fitness instructor as an ideal second career, particularly for mums looking to return to work.

New FIA guidelines for children in gyms

The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) has announced the launch of new guidelines for its members who are looking to offer gym use and group exercise classes to under-18s. Issues such as having appropriate insurance cover, risk assessment and marketing at young people are among those included in the new guidelines, as well as safeguarding measures. The FIA also said its new guidelines will deal with the necessary training and qualifications needed to adapt exercise sessions to cater for children as part of mainstream adult classes.

SkillsActive, the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), Fit for Sport and the Chartered Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (CIMSPA) helped shape the guidelines. FIA chief executive officer David Stalker said: “Over the last few years, the FIA have received more and more enquiries requesting information to allow children into gyms. “Therefore, working in partnership with other experts we have launched a competent set of guidelines for our members who would like children to take part in their gym based activities.” More details can be found at  www.fia.org.uk

Postitive park charge stories needed

REPs members are being asked to share their experiences of working with local authorities and councils on the parks charges issue. The Local Government Association (LGA) has contacted the Register of Exercise Professionals to help them assess the issue and find examples of best-practice. These positive case-studies will then be circulated via the LGA’s newsletter to its local government members to try to promote successful working arrangements.

Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch said: “I know that as well as being a hotly debated topic amongst our members, some have come to mutually beneficial arrangements with their local councils and we’d like to work with the LGA in promoting similar schemes.” If you would like to take part please email sarah.owen@skillsactive.com

For more information on the LGA click here: http://www.local.gov.uk/

New evidence supporting HITT training

While many of us wonder just how much exercise we really need in order to gain health and fitness, a group of scientists in Canada are turning that issue on its head and asking, how little exercise do we actually need? The emerging and engaging answer appears to be, a lot less than most of us think — how does 10 minutes sound (no seriously!)? But there is a catch…you have to be prepared to work hard in those 1o mins. Read more here > and look out for the May REPs journal for a more detailed article.

Early bird discount on the REPs South East Convention

Weight loss guru Pete Cohen will be making a keynote presentation at the REPs’ South East Convention taking place on the 10th May this year at David Lloyd, Raynes Park, London. Delegates will also be able to choose from 12 interactive and practical workshops as well as enjoying a buffet lunch and earning 4 CPD points.

The event is only £40 for REPs members and £60 for non-members. To book your place please use our online booking system or email events@exerciseregister.org Bookings made after May 3rd will be charged at £45 and £65 respectively.

FIA & Matrix Flame 2012 Awards: Outstanding Performance categories open

The Fitness Industry Association is pleased to announce that the following five Flame Award 2012 categories are now open:

• Future of Flame
• Operator of the Year: Health Club Operator
• Operator of the Year: Leisure Centre Operator
• Spark of Innovation: Operator
• Spark of Innovation: Supplier

The Future of Flame award recognises the industry’s very best on an individual level; rewarding a person who has shown remarkable dedication and commitment to the fitness industry. Nominations are due by 23rd March 2012 and online voting will close beginning of June 2012. David Stalker, CEO, FIA said: “If there is someone you know who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to show their dedication to the fitness industry, then make sure that you nominate them for the Future of Flame Award”. The Operator of the Year categories recognise the operator groups who have made efforts to improve standards in their facilities and connect with their local community.

The deadline for initial submissions for this category is 6th April 2012. For 2012, the Spark of Innovation award has been split into two categories – operator and supplier. These awards recognise an operator and a supplier who have achieved something exciting, new and innovative that has not only solved the initial problem that it set out to, but has also made a profound impact on the industry.

The deadline for initial nominations is 6th April 2012. Entrants will then present their innovation to a panel of experts. To enter or nominate someone for Flame – click here or call the Flame Awards Team on 020 7420 8564 or email flame@fia.org.uk

Tax deadline nears for private instructors

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed that private instructors and coaches will have until 31 March to pay any tax owed, in addition to any interest and penalties also due. The deadline is part of HMRC’s Tax Catch Up Plan, which was unveiled last October and is targeting individuals who profit from private tuition, either as a main or secondary income. HMRC has encouraged tutors who teach fitness, dance, sports or musical instruments among others to come forward with any undeclared liabilities as part of a “tax amnesty”.

The campaign required individuals to notify HMRC that a voluntary tax disclosure would be made by 6 January, with payment now due by 31 March. Marian Wilson, head of HMRC campaigns, said: “People who tell us about the tax they owe using this opportunity will pay a lower penalty than if we find them later. “Those who owe tax and have not come forward should do so now. We have started analysing the information we hold and will begin the process of contacting them from April.”

For more details: www.hmrc.gov.uk