A new report identifying skills gaps in the physical activity sector has shown that close to half of fitness professionals see limited opportunities to develop their careers.
Theย Skills Gap Report, developed by the leading awarding organisation Active IQ, also identified that only 20% of fitness professionals believe there are โplentyโ of opportunities to develop, despite 42% of gyms and leisure centres saying they are struggling to find people to fill fitness instructor roles.
This disparity highlights a significant issue within the industry: the lack of accessible and effective professional development opportunities.
Without addressing this skills gap, the industry risks a continued shortage of qualified fitness instructors, potentially impacting the quality of service provided to clients and the growth of fitness businesses.
Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director at Active IQ, emphasised the importance of addressing this issue head-on: โIt is crucial for industry stakeholders to collaborate and create more opportunities for personal trainers and fitness instructors to progress their careers.
Investing in professional development will not only attract more individuals to the industry but also ensure that professionals can advance their skills and careers.โ
โBy pinpointing these gaps, we can raise the bar for the entire industry, driving higher standards and better outcomes. It is vital for the industry to create and guide professionals towards new opportunities.
โWe must take collective responsibility to open development pathways and clearly show professionals how to achieve their career goals.
Employers, educators and industry leaders must unite to provide fitness professionals with the resources and support needed to advance their careers.โ
These latest statistics reveal significant gaps in the knowledge of fitness professionals across the UK, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive training and clearer pathways for progression.
Over half (52%) of fitness professionals believe that improving their business skills would enhance their chances of success, and nearly half (49%) feel it would enable them to expand their businesses.
The data also shows critical areas that require attention from industry leaders, such as the customisation of training programmes.
Over a third (35%) of fitness professionals struggle to tailor fitness programmes for individuals with physical disabilities,ย and even more (41%) find it challenging to adapt for those with chronic illnesses.
These insights collectively paint a comprehensive picture of the current state of the industry and the multifaceted challenges it faces.
For more detailed insights and recommendations, the full Skills Gap Report is available to downloadย here.