Professional standards and the new sector career map – lighting up your success

Colin Huffen

Head of Regulation and Standards, CIMSPA

Natasha Eason

Education and Apprenticeships Officer, CIMSPA

Sarah Edmonds

Leading Consultant

Qualifications and CPD

Colin began his presentation by outlining CIMSPA’s vision and what we are trying to achieve. He explained that the sector is in a good place in terms of trying to reach those objectives, and that this is a much better place than we were in 15 years ago.

Qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD) are changing to be more fit for purpose for job roles in the sector. We are lucky enough to have a royal charter, so let’s make the most of it by providing a system that allows us to reach the best talent in the sector.

Colin then explored the sector-wide occupational map. This will show every occupation within the sector and routes in and through the sector and will show members can transfer into other industry areas and what the crossover of skills are. We need to provide a system that is easy for people to navigate through. He provided an example of how an exercise and fitness professional can navigate through this for career success.

Chartered status

Colin then spoke about the exciting new membership status that is launching soon for fitness and health professionals – The Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner. Anyone who is currently a Personal Trainer Practitioner (this is a defined membership category) can now prepare to apply to be a Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner. Our roadmap is now working to extend chartered pathways to other practitioner membership categories across sport, exercise, fitness and wellbeing. The main objective behind this is to reward our high-achieving and excellent people and raise professional credibility amongst fitness and health professionals. Colin briefly touched on what the entry requirements will be but stated he didn’t want to divulge too much and steal anyone’s thunder from other sessions.

Professional standards

Natasha presented the audience with some facts about standards. There are currently 35 published CIMSPA professional standards and over 1200 education product endorsements against those professional standards. Natasha stated how great it was that most people in the room had a part to play in creating those professional standards. Natasha then gave examples of the standards.

EXPLORE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

Natasha then went on to explain what the future holds in terms of the professional development committees. They will be split into five industry groups:

• High performance
• Community sport
• Exercise and fitness
• Leisure operations and physical activity
• Health and wellbeing

Natasha reiterated that we need a continued effort to move forward – our standards have been a success only because of employer and education expertise.

So, please do get involved. Get in touch with the contact details below.

CIMSPA endorsement

Sarah reflected on the progress CIMSPA has made and how far we have come as an organisation in such a short space of time. She also explained how important the employers are to the completion of this process and how the professional standards must underpin the development of any education product seeking CIMSPA endorsement. The process only works when the employer is at the heart of it. Imagine a future where a parent can check if their child’s coach is qualified or a GP can identify their local chartered activity practitioner and prescribe exercise.

This is the goal that CIMSPA is working towards achieving, in partnership with the whole sport and physical activity sector.

Q&A

Q: How will the Chartered Activity and Health Practitioner keep their chartered status?

A: By ongoing assessment of CPD. CIMSPA will be able to verify this

Q: Is there any room for a Chartered Swimming Teacher?

A: Colin stated that there would need to be a demand from the sector for a chartered pathway to be explored for that particular job role.

Q: Why should individuals apply to be chartered?

A: Employers want their employees to be chartered as it is the hallmark of a qualified and excellent professional, allowing everybody within your professional sphere to see and acknowledge your achievements.