Active Suffolk have recently completed a CIMSPA funded project with one of the UK's leading personal trainer course providers, Study Active. The project, funded via the CIMSPA Retrain project, aims to upskill staff to give the sector a much welcome post-lockdown boost. The project saw a range of employees from two different employers; Sentinel Leisure Trust (SLT) and Abbeycroft Leisure, achieve their Level 2 Gym Instructing and Level 3 Personal Training qualifications.

The project started mid-pandemic, where many staff were based at home. Study Active's innovative online learning however bridged this gap and enabled the delegates to be reached via the use of technology. The e-learning saw staff learn about key topics such as programme design, anatomy and nutrition.

Once facilities re-opened, the students were able to put their knowledge into practice via the excellent fitness facilities within their own centres. This culminated with Study Active sending out some of their tutor and assessor team to meet the students at their own workplace and go through some useful face-to face tuition ahead of their final practical assessments.

Following successful completion of their qualification, 16 members of staff have now achieved their Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer qualifications and can now help drive forwards local and national health & fitness participation agendas to positively impact on the wellbeing of the Suffolk public. This initiative also helps to meet our priorities as outlined in the Sport & PA Skills Strategy

If you are interested in developing your skills to work or progress in the fitness industry, please visit: https://studyactive.co.uk/

"So that we can drive forwards our strategy of getting people active post-lockdown we needed to upskill our staff to achieve the necessary qualification to deliver such exercise. This training has not only provided the relevant qualification but it has also given our staff a fresh skills set to put into practice."

Daniel Ward, Centre Manager, Brandon Leisure & Health Hub (Abbeycroft Leisure)

"I found the training progressive and challenging. Study Active were able to adapt during a time where blended learning methods were needed to ensure that even during lockdown, the learning journey continued! There are so many local and national initiatives to get people exercising, but the right tools for the job are needed first – this training provided us with some of the tools needed so that we can go on to make an impact to the local community by getting them active!"

Matt Stebbings Former Community Education Manager for SLT (now Football Development Manager at Suffolk FA).

"We at Study Active were delighted to have taken part in this funded project to deliver nationally recognised Gym & PT qualifications to a team of aspiring industry professionals. It was extremely pleasing to see the delegates acquire the skills and qualifications to go on to make a difference in the sector"

James Luscombe, Education Director, Study Active

If you'd like to find out more about CIMSPA's new fully funded project; Retrain to Retain please CLICK HERE