YMCA Awards has become the UK’s first awarding organisation to achieve accreditation from the Chartered Institute of the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) across three new qualifications.

The new CIMSPA Professional Standards for Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer was created in consultation with operators, including Hilton Hotels, Virgin Active, Nuffield Health and Parkwood Leisure.

The introduction of qualifications which align with professional standards have been designed to meet the demands of employers and to demonstrate that PTs and instructors possess the right skills, qualifications and experience for prospective employers.

Andrée Deane-Barron, group education and skills director of Central YMCA, said: “The fitness industry has been crying out for qualifications that reflect the knowledge and skills employers are looking for, and through extensive collaboration with industry experts, we have been able to create them."

The three new qualifications have been adapted from the original coursework outlines and aim to further enhance the learning experience for both students and training providers.

Tara Dillon, CEO of CIMSPA, added: “I would like to congratulate YMCA Awards on becoming the first awarding organisation to embrace the new CIMSPA professional standards for gym and personal training by offering qualifications that will address the knowledge and skills the fitness industry requires.

"Employers in our sector are looking for an increasingly skilled workforce and so I commend YMCA Awards for their speed in bringing these qualifications to market.”

The new qualifications will be accredited by CIMSPA from August 2018 and are:

• YMCA Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing

• YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner)• YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training (Practitioner)