York St John University has teamed up with leading Awarding Organisation Active IQ to offer its Sports Science BSc degree students the opportunity to complete a range of vocational fitness qualifications whilst studying for their degree.
All first year 2012 students enrolled onto the University’s Sports Science degree programmes will additionally be enrolled onto the Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Instructing Fitness.
The additional qualifications aim to build on the knowledge base of the degree itself, while providing both the practical instructional skills of a fully accredited fitness industry qualification and access to the register of exercise professionals.
First year students who take the new Level 2 qualification will then have the opportunity to complete further fitness qualifications in their second year, such as the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training or Level 3 Award in Designing Pre and Post Natal Exercise Programmes.
The Active IQ qualifications will be delivered by training provider York St John Active (YSJActive) at the University’s in-house Sport and Fitness department, and will be fully incorporated into the regular degree module student timetables.
Ian Sadler, Head of Sport at York St John University, commented: “Students joining us in September 2012 will be offered the chance to take a number of recognised vocational qualifications free of charge, both in the first and second years of the course. The qualifications will complement the academic programme they are undertaking, and really help students enhance their career profile in an increasingly competitive job market. At York St John we are committed to supporting student development and increasing the chances of employment when they graduate.”
Neale Coleman, National Account Manager for Active IQ, commented: “This is a brilliant initiative from York St John University as it will overcome the common barrier that many sports science degree graduates experience of not being able to gain employment in the fitness industry due to a lack of an industry qualification.”
Sarah Hawley, Vocational and Coach Education Development Officer for YSJActive commented: “We’re excited about offering students the opportunity to achieve a valuable qualification that will enable them to build on their knowledge and experience, as well as progress on to further vocational fitness qualifications. This is the first time we have delivered the qualification as a timetabled module; we’re looking forward to the challenge and working with Active IQ and the students on this programme.”
