We’re re-imagining the future of fitness, and we want you to be one of the first to knows.
Our next generation technical specialism qualifications are independently endorsed by the relevant technical experts, enabling learners to work with additional equipment or perform additional roles within the workplace. This includes the following qualifications:
- Endorsed against Association for Nutrition (AfN) Competence Framework in Nutrition for Fitness and Leisure:
- Endorsed by GCMT and SMT, mapping to National Occupational Standards (NOS) for sports massage:
- Supporting learners to embed kettlebells training into their programmes (In development)
- Supporting learners to take a more holistic approach to wellbeing, including mental health awareness (In development)
Our next generation qualifications have been designed to develop fitness instructors who are:
- Impactful and engaging communicators
- Self-reliant and resilient
- Clear about the limitations of their own scope of practice
As a result of the varied topics covered by our next generation technical specialism qualifications, we adapt our approach to assessment for each qualification. However, we apply the same principles to these qualifications as with our Occupational Entry and Population Specialism qualifications. This includes our staged approach to assessment, which empowers learners to build confidence throughout their course. Our new assessments better support learners to build links between knowledge and skills, preparing them to work with real clients.
How are our next generation technical specialism qualifications assessed?
Underpinning knowledge will continue to be assessed through a mixture of multiple choice, multiple response, and short answer questions. Through our partnership with Suada, learners can now complete the multiple choice and multiple response questions through the Suada app anywhere they have an internet connection. Learners need to achieve 100% to pass this assessment, but to support centres in understanding how their learners are getting on, tutors and assessments can now access data on progress and achievement in real time. Full information on the requirements for these assessments can be found in the qualification specification and learner assessment record.
This activity is again about building learners’ confidence in demonstrating their knowledge when communicating with clients. Learners will create information resources – in a format that is suitable to their audience – that could be used to promote their exercise and fitness business. Examples include posters, flyers, social media posts, and videos. These can be uploaded to the Suada app and shared with other learners and their tutor for feedback. Full information on the requirements for these assessments can be found in the qualification specification and learner assessment record.
Learners will develop exercise programmes and answer questions based on realistic case studies provided in the learner assessment record. These case studies are based on real people and are designed to support learners to apply their knowledge in a safe environment. This task is deliberately designed to encourage learners to conduct independent research, supporting them to consider appropriate sources of information whilst reinforcinge the importance of working within their own scope of practice. Full information on the requirements for these assessments can be found in the qualification specification and learner assessment record.
Observation of practical skills remains a vital part of our next generation technical specialism qualifications with activities including:
- observation of applying massage treatments
- planning, delivering, and evaluating kettlebell training sessions
However, we have updated our assessment requirements to better reflect current practice within the sector. For example, consultation and assessment of new clients may take place virtually. In many cases, learners can record a video of their evidence for activities and upload it to the Suada app as a vlog of their progress against the assessment criteria. Full information on our requirements for these practical assessments can be found in the qualification specifications and learner assessment record.