SAQA

All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Occupational Certificate: Fitness Instructor

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118689	Occupational Certificate: Fitness Instructor
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-CATHSSETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 02 - Culture and Arts		Sport
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 04	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-02-03	2025-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31		2029-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Fitness Instructor. Fitness Instructors design and implement a physical activity programme for individuals and teams as well as screen, assess and monitor health related fitness programmes. Typical graduate attributes include among others leadership, discipline, compassion, and dedication.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Test and assess individual/group for fitness programmes.

Design and plan fitness programmes

Coordinate and instruct exercise sessions/classes.

Rationale:
The Occupational Certificate: Fitness Instructor realignment processes replaces the current National Certificate in Fitness, NQF Level 5, matching the occupational duties required by a qualification of this nature. Fitness has historically been viewed as an occupation that lacks professionalism or recognition despite the successes individuals have achieved within this profession.

This occupational qualification provides a formalisation for a growing entrepreneurial career opportunity in the fitness and exercise industry. Formalisation of qualifications stimulates industry growth through higher standards of education and accountability.

The main benefit for learners completing this occupational certificate is the improved social and economic opportunities. Learners could develop a social standing as a specialist or professional within the sector by providing advice on exercise, fitness and wellness through a variety of platforms such as group or individual based interventions, social media or online.

Learners qualifying will be able to access job opportunities within the fitness environment. In addition, the learner will have access to further career opportunities within the fitness and sporting sectors. The sector allows for job growth within corporate business structures such as large wellness and fitness facilities; these job growth prospects range from junior to senior positions. The qualification provides an entrepreneurial and self-employment opportunities by allowing for independent Personal Training businesses, Group Class businesses and Community Exercise intervention projects. Through vertical and horizontal career growth opportunities, learners have a broad economic impact potential. The registered professional body, Register of Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA), was instrumental in the development of the qualification and will continue promoting the interest of members for further opportunities and mobility.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

NQF Level 3 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules

342301-000-00-KM-01, Workplace Fundamentals, Level 3, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-02, Information Technology for Fitness Instructors, Level 3, 5 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-03, Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship, Level 4, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-04, Anatomy, Physiology and Biomechanics, Level 4, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-05, Fitness Programme Design, Level 4, 5 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-06, Instruction Delivery, Level 4, 4 Credits.

342301-000-00-KM-07, Fitness Facilities and Equipments, Level 4, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 54

Practical Skill Modules

342301-000-00-PM-01, Conduct Variety of Health Assessments and Tests for Individuals and Groups Programme Fitness, Level 5, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-PM-02, Design and Plan Fitness Programmes Based on Client Needs and Goals, Level 5, 14 Credits.

342301-000-00-PM-03, Monitor and Modify Plans to Client Needs, Level 5, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-PM-04, Lead and Instruct Exercises Programmes for Individuals, Level 4, 10 Credits.

342301-000-00-PM-05, Lead and Instruct Exercises Programmes for Groups, Level 5, 10 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 54

Work Experience Modules

342301-000-00-WM-01, Conduct Individual Fitness Assessment Procedures, Level 4, 20 Credits.

342301-000-00-WM-02, Conduct Individual Fitness Testing procedures, Level 4, 20 Credits.

342301-000-00-WM-03, Procedures for Planning Exercise Programme, Level 4, 15 Credits.

342301-000-00-WM-04, Procedures for Instructing Individual and Groups, Level 4, 17 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 72

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Prepare, plan and assess groups for fitness programme based on group needs and goals
2. Design and instruct an exercise programme to assist a group to achieve its fitness needs and goals

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Conduct Pre and post health assessments for groups to determine the responsiveness to the programme.

Conduct Group testing for programme fitness in accordance with the industry requirements and practice.

Carry out Client data collection using instruments that are consistent with industry standards and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Design an exercise programme based on group needs and goals

Plan exercise sessions based on group needs and goals are conducted

Review an exercise programme to determine fitness progress by the group continuously.

Undertake Exercise modification to improve performance towards agreed fitness goals.

Conduct Group exercise programme in accordance with industry practice and fitness requirements.

Discuss specific programmes based on scientific basis to demonstrate the planned impact on client goals and needs.

Discuss training principles for cardiovascular conditioning, strength training, and flexibility in relation to human anatomy and physiological systems

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated formative assessment
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the external integrated summative assessment.

Integrated summative assessment
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality Partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The assessment will be conducted through written assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites by a panel of assessors evaluated by assessor(s) registered with the AQP.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

An international comparability exercise was undertaken to compare the Occupational Certificate: Group Fitness Instructor with related qualifications from specific countries in terms of their scope, levels and curriculum content.

The purpose of this exercise is to compare the qualification against existing and comparable best practices internationally. The exercise was conducted with two countries, which are Australia and New Zealand.

Australia
Australia has several trades in the fitness space at different levels, and the one similar to Group Fitness Instructor occupation is the Certificate IV in Fitness offered by Fitness Institute of Australia. The certificate qualifies one to become a Group Trainer. The completion of this course can also lead to a further study at a diploma level.

The course duration is dependent on study mode selected. A full-time study mode will have up to six (6) months to complete, and an online part time study mode requires twelve (12) months to complete.

The list below provides curriculum units to be completed, these units are common to the Fitness Instructor: Group Trainer

Provide motivation for exercise behaviour.

Advanced Screening & Scope of Practice.

Personal Training Essentials.

Group Personal Training.

Business Essentials for Group Training.

New Zealand
The New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness has been providing New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) accredited fitness courses offered by several accredited training institutions. One of the qualifications is the National Certificate in Fitness (Level 4) comparable to the part qualification Group Fitness Instructor is the Health & Fitness Personal Trainer.

The list below provides curriculum units to be completed, these units are common to the Group Fitness Instructor:

Group Fitness Instruction.

Group Training.

Exercise Assessment and Prescription.

Small Business Skills.

Conclusion
The South African qualification, Occupational Qualification: Group Fitness Instructor compares favourably well with the Australian and New Zealand qualifications in terms of content and scope. In all the said countries these qualifications recognise the importance of individual and group exercises. Although these qualifications are similar in and scope, the duration between them is different.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Individual Fitness Instructor NQF Level 4.

Vertical Articulation:

National Diploma Fitness: NQF Level 5.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:
None

Criteria for the accreditation of providers
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

The curriculum title and code is: Fitness Instructor: 342301-000-00-00

Encompassed Trade:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

This is not a trade qualification.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)
> Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sports Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA)

Related Part-qualifications:

Occupational Certificate: Individual Fitness Instructor, NQF Level 4.

Occupational Certificate: Group Fitness Instructor, NQF Level 4.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

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