Occupational descriptors

In the world of work employers often define the roles they need through a written ‘Job Description’. The fitness industry is no exception, with well-defined common roles across different types of employers.

One of the major projects REPs has been involved in is the development and recognition of these roles by the industry, along with a framework that categorises members by job title and the level at which they operate (e.g. Level 2 Exercise to Music Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer).

Membership of REPs is

contingent on attaining a nationally accredited qualification relating to the job role(s) recognised within this framework.

The process of accrediting these qualifications involves the development of National Occupational Standards that describe the skills, knowledge and competencies to be safe and effective in the roles they support.

These standards are derived partly through the identification of ‘Occupational Descriptors’ that employers agree describe the core purpose, roles and competencies of the jobs in question. These industry-agreed

documents are now available on our website to

download, and are a useful resource for employers, individuals and training partners in a number of ways.

They can be used as a basis for employer-specific job descriptions, as a reference tool for training providers wanting to develop training that supports the development of REPs members, and by members as a means of better understanding the service they are expected to deliver and the competencies required to do so. www.exerciseregister.org/ REPsRoles.html

Higher education

Working in conjunction with SkillsActive, REPs has devised a form for graduates to complete in order to assess their eligibility to join the Register. Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch explains: “We have a lot of graduates wanting to be part of the Register, which is a great thing, but as degree courses vary so much from university to university we needed a system which would allow us to cross-reference their knowledge against the National Occupational Standards and REPs membership requirements.

“These forms allow graduates to demonstrate which areas they have studied and detail any practical experience they have. If they meet the requirements set by SkillsActive and REPs they are then offered a year’s provisional membership, which allows them to start their careers’ within the industry.”

Guidelines for on-line personal training

REPs has published guidelines for those personal trainers who want to offer their clients on-line service.

The guidelines, which are available in the members area of the REPs website (www.exerciseregister.org), are based on the principles behind the REPs Code of Ethical Practise. Personal trainers who want to offer an on-line service to clients are reminded they should only do so for those who they know to be asymptomatic, or free from any of the specified key symptoms of disease that are considered to put an individual at risk as a result of exercise.

Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch said: “In today’s digital age clients are used to being able to set their own timetables and agendas. .

“It’s safe to assume that with instant messaging, webcams and super-quick internet connections the issue of on-line personal training is one that is going to become ever more topical.

“While we would always advocate face-to-face training, we wanted to support those members who want to explore the possibility of offering on-line services by producing guidelines dealing with this.”

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The REPs Journal 2010;17(June):5-7