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TRAINING Proposal will lower spa training standards


The UK government is push- ing through a proposal that will lower the level of qualification for training therapists from cur- rent NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) level to the new VRQ (Vocationally Related Qualification) level. A VRQ is typically less demand-


ing and quicker, with a pass mark of typically 66 per cent. An NVQ has a 100 per cent pass rate and requires practical assessment at a higher level. Because of this, many learning providers are opting to offer VRQ’s because they can award them more easily, achieve higher pass results and as they get paid on pass rates to a certain extent, they require less facilities and can make more profit turning out therapists at lower levels. A statement from the UK Spa Association


Training standards could be lowered from NVQ to the new VRQ level


an inferior standard, many employers who already feel NVQ standards are not sufficient will be faced with therapists trained to an even lower standard in VRQ’s.” For 2014-15 as many as 10,000 qualified


said: “One of the biggest challenges of the spa industry, if not the biggest, is recruiting qualified and capable professionals and, in par- ticular, therapists. “Our industry receives £2m of funding


annually for 90,000 therapists. By compari- son, the fitness industry receives £35m for just 40,000 fitness trainers. Te migration of stu- dents coming out with VRQ’s will result in


individuals will be potentially trained to these lower standards. The UK Spa Association believes this is


largely due to the spa industry not having a united ‘one voice’ approach, so has proposed to partner with Habia – the government approved standards setting body for hair, beauty, nails and spa – to lobby government decision mak- ing bodies and also participate in forums on the standards. Details: http://lei.sr?a=q5Z7J


Lifetime Training recognised with award


Lifetime Training, in partnership with DC Leisure, has been awarded the title of Apprenticeship Provider of the Year at the 2013 Active Leisure Awards ceremony. Lifetime Training provides


training and apprenticeships in partnership with employers, with the company’s learner numbers for the sector now standing at more than 3,000. Over 350 DC Leisure appren-


tices achieve qualifications with the provider each year. “This is a very significant


Lifetime Training has developed 1,800 DC Leisure team members


award for us. It’s great to be recognised for our quality of delivery and our ongoing ded- ication and commitment to both customers and learners,” said Michelle Hyatt, opera- tions director at Lifetime Training. “Our aim is to continue to invest in robust training and development programmes that deliver tan- gible business impact while creating career opportunities for learners.” Te highly coveted title of Tutor of the Year went to Matt Brown at Premier Training


© CYBERTREK 2013


International, while Tutor Team of the Year was awarded jointly to GFI Training and Premier Training International. The other organisations honoured


included Elev8 who won the title of Quality Assurance Team of the Year, as well as Premier Training International who received Most Innovative Training Provider of the Year. Fit for Sport also received a special recognition in this category. Details: http://lei.sr?a=M7g8C


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