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H&F sector battles recession
The health and fitness industry is as buoyant as ever according to the National Skills Academy for Sport and Active Leisure (NSA).
Despite prevailing fears of nationwide unemployment during the current economic downturn, the 2008 FIA State of the Fitness Industry report has revealed a 2.6 per cent increase in the estimated market value of its sector.
Florence Orban, interim CEO of the NSA, explains: “As we head for the recession, many businesses are making redundancies and cutting training budgets. But our sector is growing — thanks to increased awareness on getting the nation active — and there will be around 100,000 jobs to fill by 2014.”
The NSA is maximising employment in the health and fitness industry via initiatives like its Centre of Excellence for Fitness (CoE).
Powered by training company Lifetime, the CoE offers a four to five-week classroom-based programme followed by work-based training in health clubs and leisure centres.
Its fitness instructor programme equips trainees with an entry-level industry-recognised qualification on exercise and fitness knowledge, gym instructing, first aid and customer service, whereas the level 3 personal training programme includes advanced gym programming, health screening, nutrition and weight management, business skills and behavioural psychology.