News & Notes

c on t i nu e d

Belgian government issues competence certificates based on DFO testing

On the road: Pausing to enjoy the success of the first Polish road show are, left to right: Sebastian Gazda, CEO of Star Fitness; Jarek Semrau, CEO of Fitness Coaching; and Hans Muench, IHRSA Director of Europe

IHRSA teams up with Fitness Coaching in Poland

> With the aim of helping Polish clubs to grow and prosper, IHRSA has started a new partnership with Fitness Coaching in Poland, which will translate IHRSA educa- tional materials and arrange “road shows” to bring club operators together. “Representing IHRSA in Poland is a

great opportunity for us and we are look- ing forward to expanding IHRSA’s brand into the Polish market,” said Jarek Sem- rau, CEO of Fitness Coaching. “This is also a great opportunity for the Polish market to gain access to top quality coaching and support which will allow the industry to develop sustainable growth.” “We are excited to be a part of this

initiative,” said Sebastian Gazda, CEO of Star Fitness, official distributor of Star Trac in Poland, which is supporting the road show. “Growing the market through education is part of Star Trac’s philosophy, and we are delighted to have such a reli- able partner as IHRSA.” More than 70 club operators attended

the first Polish road show, which was held in Katowice on 25 February. “It was a great turnout for the first event,” said Hans Muench, IHRSA’s Director of Europe. “There is a clear desire on the part of Polish club owners for more education and information sharing opportunities.” n

4 Club Business Europe n SPRING 2010 n www. ihrsa.org

> De Fitness Organisatie (DFO) opened—as the first organization in Flanders—a recognized testing centre to certify Fitness Instruc- tors, Group Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers. In January the first governmental recognized compe- tence certificates were delivered in the fitness branch. These compe-

Team leaders: the DFO’s Eric Vandenabeele, executive director; and Christian Peirar, president

tence certificates are approved and delivered by the Government after being recommended by the DFO testing centre. The certificate indi- cates that the recipients have proved through the testing centre that they have the required com- petences for these professions. The DFO testing centre guides

the candidates in composing a talent map. The experiences of the candidate are translated into competences according to the professional standards of the SERV (Social Economic Council of Flanders). This talent map is reviewed by two assessors after which the candidate is invited for an assessment including an observation in the professional environment, role play game, a short interview, interactive video and knowledge test. After the candidate has proven all core competences during

assessment, he/she receives a personal competence certificate. Because of this certificate being official and recognized by the Government, it gives the candi- date a great advantage in his/her career and for finding a new job. The assessment of the govern-

mental recognized competence certificates Fitness Instructor, Groupfitness Instructor and Personal Trainer is a product of the ESF (European Social Fund). Validation is based upon quality criteria. Because of the excellent devel-

opment of a validation system in measuring fitness industry related skills and competences, delivering governmental recognized compe- tence certificates, De Fitness Organisatie was laurelled the 29th of January to ESF Ambassa- dor 2010. n Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12