SkillsActive’s Technical Expert Group (TEG) has launched an eight-month research project to confirm whether industry standards and qualifications are in line with jobs within the fitness industry.

The panel of industry experts will carry out surveys of instructors and employers, hold focus groups, look at job descriptions and study existing research from the UK and Europe, the US and Australasia, as part of its task to ensure standards and qualifications remain relevant.

Ben Gittus, qualifications and standards manager for SkillsActive said: “SkillsActive has worked with the health and fitness industry since 2001 to research and produce national occupational standards, which have had a big impact, particularly in supporting the Register of Exercise Professionals, and developing and approving fitness qualifications.

“But exercise and fitness is a dynamic sector and SkillsActive needs to make sure the standards set in 2001 continue to be relevant, so the TEG research project aims to give the industry a clearer picture of what standards and qualifications will be needed for the future.”

Georgina Jupp, managing director of health and fitness training provider CK Academy, has been appointed chair of the TEG and will head up a team which also includes CK Academy’s technical director Nichola Curran.

“I am delighted to have been appointed Chair of the TEG and to have the opportunity to help shape the future standards and qualifications of this industry,” said Jupp.

“After 23 years working in the fitness industry I have seen some incredible changes across our sector. I therefore recognise the huge importance and significance of this mapping exercise to ensure we continue to deliver qualifications and training that are current, fit for purpose, engage employer’s views and continue to demonstrate the professionalism of our industry.”

Photograph: New TEG chair, Georgina Jupp