Awarding organisation Active IQ recently gathered physical activity sector employers, training providers and representatives from key industry bodies to explore the hot topic of industry training.

Calls for reform of sector skills and development have increasingly grown louder, prompting a pledge to explore employers’ concerns following the recent Active Training Conference. Active IQ’s event in London last month saw the establishment of an Employer Taskforce Group with key stakeholders in attendance to discuss the changes and issues faced at this critical time.

Proposed changes to the Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) would mean that core entry to sector Level 2 qualifications and Level 3 Personal Trainer qualifications will no longer be common, shared units. As a result, employers believe it is paramount that parameters are set by employer representatives to avoid confusion in the sector and ensure industry-wide agreed categories for the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS).

“An end to ‘shared’ units will mean an opportunity to create more meaningful ‘whole’ qualifications which will drive up quality, as awarding organisations will be fully engaging with the industry,” said Sarah Edmonds, director of Quality and Standards at Active IQ.

“But, we need to work together to manage the process in a joined-up transparent manner, otherwise we run the risk of there being disparity in offer, and confusion for stakeholders, rather than one framework for all.”

Active IQ hopes the establishment of this taskforce group will enable key organisations to influence the creation of robust models in the design, development and assessment of qualifications. The key challenge will be recognising that the qualification needs of large private operators are significantly different to the needs of a small leisure trust, meaning wide-ranging collaboration will be essential.

“We’re in a challenging transitional period, so it was essential that this event provided a forum for open, transparent two-way dialogue between awarding organisations and employers, creating a closer link between education and employment,” said Jenny Patrickson, commercial director at Active IQ. “We can’t work in silos – ukactive, CIMSPA, SkillsActive and Awarding Organisations must collaborate in the best interest of the sector.

“In recent years, there’s been a shift in demand for staff who deliver pure fitness to those who can provide wider community engagement encompassing physical activity and lifestyle. Trends and demands change and our qualifications need to reflect that.”