MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN EQF and Sport Increasing the transparency of diplomas: A sector qualification framework in practice Poznań Stadium Poland Cliff Collins – EHFA Programmes Director

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN The Context The European Fitness Sector:  40,000,000 regular users  400,000 workers  40,000 fitness centres (roughly 50/50 private/public) EHFA currently represents:  Over 10,000 fitness centres  21 national associations  450 suppliers

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN The Context EHFA started in mid-1990’s Became not-for-profit association in 2001 Brussels office established in 2008 LdaV EU-funded projects: and Established European standards Units with credits (ECVET) accreditation of TPs review of standards into units of learning outcomes and aligned to EQF (levels 3 and 4) 2010 Fitness Sector Qualification Framework TEG formed and determined 22 fitness “occupations” over 100 experts involved in standards development

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN Quality Quality Quality Why it is important for fitness:  We need to professionalise and raise our standards  Great clubs need great staff  Industry moving quickly towards health agenda requiring higher skilled exercise professionals  Important to continually improve customer safety and experience with new products and services  Improve mobility of professionals  Improve business performance and the retention of technical skills

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN The Fitness Sector Qualification Framework EQF/SQF (Bologna Process) EXERCISE General PopulationSpecial Population Graduate Fitness Professional 5 (short cycle) Exercise for Health Specialist Strength and Conditioning Trainer Pilates Teacher 4 Personal Trainer Wellbeing and Lifestyle Coach (low risk) Personal Trainer for NCD Youth Fitness Trainer (12-17 years) Children’s Fitness Trainer (6-11 years) Active Ageing Trainer NCD – condition specific units Pilates Trainer 3 Fitness Instructor Group Fitness Instructor Aqua Fitness Instructor 2 Fitness Assistant Community Activator (non-active populations) 1

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN Fitness sector qualification framework (SQF)  It is a unitary framework... That is really more about information and guidance and aiming to reform current practice – but fully referenced to the EQF  All standards are developed in units of learning outcomes

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN  Standards determine the knowledge skills and competencies required – “job purpose” approach  The standards are free to use  Fully supports COM LLP  Improve delivery through high quality initial VET (I-VET)  Support career-oriented continuing VET (C-VET)  SQF allows for improved understanding of training and qualifications from across Europe  Creates opportunity for international benchmarking MoUTs with leading 5 US certification bodies Fitness sector qualification framework (SQF)

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN The European Qualification Framework EQF / SQF IEFRUK/ QCF SCQFBE (Fl), DK,MT& PT NZBologna EHEA rd cycle & 82 nd cycle 6 8 & & 9671 st cycle & 756 & 5 Short cycle & & 2E3311 E22 E11

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN Fitness working with higher education Exercise for Health Specialist – EQF level 5 Job purpose: The purpose of the Exercise for Health Specialist is to build fitness participation of new and existing exercisers with chronic medical conditions through group or individual fitness experiences that meet their needs. In addition the Exercise for Health Specialist will be expected to regularly review patient progress and be able to report on adherence and outcomes to relevant stakeholders. This references to the Bologna short cycle at EQF level 5.

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN Recognising individual achievements  The outcome of standards development is to be able to recognise the achievement of individual fitness trainers  A pan-European public register of qualified exercise professionals – who must meet the minimum standards  The European Register of Exercise Professionals exists to give consumers, employers and partners in medical professions better confidence  A career structure for ongoing professional development  Provides clarity and evidence about the workforce

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN  EREPS members need liability insurance cover and must abide by the Code of Ethical Practice  Members complete individual programme of Lifelong Learning (3 components)  Registration is a “passport” or “professional card” for fitness trainers – and compliments review of Directive 2005/36 EC (Recognition of professional qualifications)  EREPS gives individual recognition of “occupational competency” – sometimes called a “licence to practice”

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN MEMBERS OF EREPS GET  A unique certificate of registration  Access to the best liability insurance scheme  Regular e-zines and journal  Free directory listing with contact details, personal statement and now …

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN 50 VET & HE training providers delivering full certification and entry to EREPS EREPS helps by improving understanding by governments understanding by employers understanding by customers understanding by health profs. INCREASING THE TRANSPARENCY OF DIPLOMAS

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN

in 32 countries and 25,000 trainers in the UK 10% of members change country/year

MORE PEOPLE | MORE ACTIVE | MORE OFTEN It’s not really a difficult message – we just need to get More people | More active | More often Thank you Ευχαριστώ Mnogo blagodarya Dank u Merci beaucoup Danke schön Köszönöm Grazie Muchas gracias Tack så mycket Obrigado Achin Dêkuji Tack fun