Last Updated on December 18, 2024 by Sarah Leeves
December 2024 update
Thank you to all of you who have been following our communications on the Workforce Governance and Registration Scheme Project.
This is a sector wide project commissioned by Sport England and UK Sport following the recommendations of the Whyte Review. The project discovery and Pilot phase undertaken by CIMSPA across all of the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) now enters year 3. CIMSPA have completed the discovery phase and have commenced the Pilot phase in 2 elements.
Element 1 is 10 NGB’s of Sport who have entered into the registration pilot to test the operability of the register over its complex constructs. This pilot will test the potential components that would likely need to be in place to enable a potential workforce register to function across the many diverse organisations and NGB’s involved in governance of the sport and physical activity sector. The pilot phase is currently running until the end of March 2025 where learnings will be evaluated to understand what the requirements could be for a national registration scheme.
Element 2 involves all the remaining NGBs. EMD UK as the NGB for the wider group exercise workforce are a committed project partner to element 2. Through this phase EMD UK will be working towards an ability to register the group exercise workforce on any future register. As confirmed and supported by CIMSPA, it is vitally important for NGB’s, to undertake the work that is required to underpin any future schemes’ principles and policies. EMD UK are committed to move towards a state of readiness to connect their Professionally Recognised membership registration to any potential future national scheme. This will enable any members of EMD UK holding ‘Professional Recognition’ membership to gain access to any future registration, be recognised as a professional in their practice and be recognised as part of the professional workforce.
As the only NGB for the wider Group Exercise workforce EMD UK are mandated and committed to do this work on behalf of group exercise teacher coaches of all genres. No other organisation can. Group exercise is defined as any structured exercise or physical activity session taught to a group of 5 or more people. If this represents you as a teacher/coach then be part of the preparation, have your voice and stay ahead of the project. Whilst there are many undefined challenges in forming a national register it is important for the workforce to be supported and ready.
Group exercise teacher/coaches are already one of the most compliant groups of coaches in the UK. Since the early 1960s through the KFA and Laban, to the 1980’s level 2 ETM, Pilates and Yoga teacher/coaches, to present day new formats, group exercise coaches have undertaken formalised, regulated training through national bodies, awarding organisations and training provider centres. Joining a registered body is not something new to the teacher/coach workforce. There has been many registers started in the past, some have succeeded more than others, some have failed, from Exercise England through Skills Active to REP’s.
Why now? and what is different?
These are the right questions.
This is the first work on a register project of this type mandated across the whole sector requested and commissioned through government representative bodies. This is the first time that the register has involved the workforce in its development. The objective of this registration project is to support, safeguard and regulate the workforce to allow everyone to take part in sport and physical activity safely. The majority of the group exercise workforce is already exceptional, professional, self aware and self developing. The aim of the project is to ensure that this is widespread. Great coaches bring enormous benefits for both the participants and their communities.
EMD UK’s translates this through the NGB Professional Recognition Membership which ‘Unites the Group Exercise Workforce’ under their scopes of practice which in turn recognises and support the diversity of the workforce and the diversity of group exercise classes. This brings together all coaches in a unified way where the public can be assured that all teacher/coaches are of the highest standard in their education and that safe sport or physical activity practice can be assured. There are many disciplines and genre’s of group exercise teacher/coach with some operators holding more than 100 different classes a week on a timetable.
As the project moves through these two elements it is important that the teacher/coach gain NGB Professional Recognition so that as the learnings and deployment of the national register unfold teacher/coaches are in the right place with the right resources, the right touch regulation and support. EMD UK as the funded NGB for the wider group exercise workforce are committed to ensure that every group exercise teacher/coach has a voice in the project that is heard and that through these learnings any support to meet requirements is available to you free of charge within your membership.
Here’s why this matters to you as a teacher/coach
Prepare now for any National Register coming by gaining NGB Professional Recognition through EMD UK!
It ensures you’re:
- Ready for the future: Be prepared for the changes the register will bring and stay ahead of the curve.
- Supported: Access the resources and information you need to meet the requirements, all free of charge with your membership. This includes access to our online training & resource library with modules on safeguarding and first aid, a library of downloadable resources, and regular webinars with industry experts.
- Recognised: Gain professional recognition for your skills and expertise, enhancing your credibility and career prospects.
- Heard: Have a voice in shaping the future of group exercise. EMD UK is committed to ensuring your views are represented every step of the way.
By joining EMD UK now, you’re not just gaining professional recognition, you’re investing in your future, becoming part of a thriving community of instructors, and contributing to a safer, more unified group exercise sector.
Discover more about EMD UK’s professional recognition and join us here.