CIMSPA Letter of Support for Pearson BTEC Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Aran

Support letter from CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) to Pearson UK for the Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Gym Instructor (Diploma). It describes CIMSPA’s role as the UK professional body and explains employer and training partner coverage, skills diagnostics findings, and evidence of demand for Gym Instructor and related common skills. It confirms mapping to CIMSPA professional standards and support for the assessment methodology, content, and structure, including future-facing employability value.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Letter of Support

CIMSPA role and partnership model

Evidence of demand and skills

Qualification mapping and employability support

Closing endorsement and intended publication

Donna Ford-Clarke VP, Vocational Qualifications & Portfolio Pearson UK 80 Strand London WC2R 0RL 6th December 2024 Qualification: Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Gym Instructor (Diploma). Dear Donna, The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is the representative professional body for the whole of the UK in relation to the sport and physical activity sector, it is the guardian of all associated professional standards, and the QAA recognised PSRB for higher education institutions. CIMSPA is also the representative entry for the industry in the IfATE Employer Directory and has both a partnership and a membership model. CIMSPA partners consist of employer partners representing 205 employers, 15 awarding organisation partners (offering CIMSPA-endorsed regulated qualifications which enable progress both into direct entry/higher level employment and further or higher study, many of whom are also end-point assessment organisations for 5 apprenticeships standards), and 236 training provider partners offering a wealth of endorsed professional CPD, and formal training leading to CIMSPA membership for industry professionals all which map to the 45 sector lead professional standards. CIMSPA represents 205 employers which includes large national organisations employing 250+ staff to mid-size, as well as SME’s. We currently have 15 Skills Hub Managers working with regional and local employers to conduct ‘Skills Diagnostics’ to understand their current and future skills development requirements. This employer led insight aims to prepare the workforce of the future to better meet the needs of the physical activity and sport sector locally, and to have maximum positive impact on communities and the local economy.We have data that demonstrates there is clear evidence and demand for the job role of Recreation Assistant. Up to September 2023, approx. 300 employers have completed the Skills Diagnostics, this data has been aggregated and shows that 944 Gym Instructors are currently employed. The Skills Diagnostics also present that an additional 301 Gym Instructors will be required nationally, across the next 12 months, representing a 32% growth for this job role. There is also evidence collated through Lightcast (September 2023) that presents there is demand in Job Posting Analytics for the role of Gym Instructor with London, Leeds , Manchester, and North Northamptonshire the top cities posting for this role. Some of the top ‘common skills’ for this role are Customer Service , Communication, Management and Operations which will be sufficiently developed and covered by the units within the Pearson BTEC Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry for Gym Instructor (Diploma) . Pearson have fully mapped to the CIMSPA professional standard for Gym Instructor meaning a graduate of this qualification can enter the workforce directly in this job role. Pearson have also mapped partially to the Leisure Team Member occupational standard which will give a learner further key knowledge, skills and behaviour helping them secure a job in a relevant setting. Thank you for involving us at all stages of the qualification process. We have met with Pearson on varying occasions after the last few months and have attended the panels held by Pearson. We know that as a result of this engagement Pearson have directly amended and changed the content to fit with industry need. We are fully supportive of the assessment methodology, content, and structure of this new qualification. The additional units to this extended version on understanding how the industry works and personal development for a career in the industry will add valuable employability skills for those students who require further support. We look forward to continuing working so closely with Pearson to ensure this qualification remains future facing. We are happy for this letter to be used with the Department

FAQs

What is CIMSPA’s role in relation to the qualification described?

CIMSPA is described as the representative professional body for the UK sport and physical activity sector, guardian of professional standards, and a QAA-recognised PSRB for higher education institutions.

What evidence does CIMSPA cite regarding demand for Gym Instructor roles?

CIMSPA references aggregated Skills Diagnostics data and Lightcast job posting analytics, indicating demand for Gym Instructor roles and identifying top cities posting for the role.

How is the qualification mapped to CIMSPA occupational/professional standards?

CIMSPA states Pearson has fully mapped the qualification to the CIMSPA professional standard for Gym Instructor, enabling direct entry, and has also mapped partially to the Leisure Team Member occupational standard.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Aran