YMCA Awards' new Technical Specialist qualifications are now available

Two new Level 3 Technical Specialist qualifications announced by YMCA Awards in July are now officially available, expanding specialist progression opportunities for fitness professionals and training providers.

The qualifications form part of YMCA Awards' continued commitment to developing relevant, regulated education pathways that respond to the changing needs of the health, fitness and wellbeing workforce. The two new qualifications now available are:

• YMCA Level 3 Technical Specialist in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Long-Term Health Conditions (Certificate) – 610/6235/2
• YMCA Level 3 Technical Specialist in Performance Massage (Certificate) – 610/6236/4

Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Long-Term Health Conditions

Developed for qualified personal trainers who want to extend their knowledge and skills to support adults living with long-term health conditions, the qualification equips learners with the specialist knowledge and practical skills required to plan, adapt and deliver physical activity and exercise programmes that take account of an individual's long-term health condition, while working safely within professional scope of practice.

Meeting Skills England-approved outcomes, the qualification also aligns with the requirements of the CIMSPA population specialism professional standard for Working with People with Long-Term Conditions. Through consultation, programme planning, practical delivery, evaluation, case studies and professional discussion, learners demonstrate how specialist knowledge can be applied in real-world settings.

Performance Massage

The Performance Massage certificate provides qualified personal trainers with an opportunity to expand their existing professional skillset by developing practical performance massage techniques that complement their work with clients.

Meeting Skills England-approved outcomes linked to the Level 3 Personal Trainer occupational standard, the qualification develops the knowledge and practical skills needed to provide pre-event, post-event and maintenance massage on non-pathological tissue within sport, fitness and exercise environments. It is designed to complement the role of a personal trainer rather than qualify an individual as a fully recognised sports massage therapist, and can provide a progression pathway into Level 4 sports massage therapy qualifications.

From announcement to delivery

Vicki Steer, Interim Head of YMCA Awards, said: "When we announced these qualifications in July, we talked about the importance of ensuring education continues to evolve alongside the needs of our sector. We are delighted that both qualifications are now officially available and that our centres can begin delivering these new specialist pathways.

"For learners, these qualifications create opportunities to build on their existing professional skills and develop expertise that has genuine relevance to the people they work with. For training providers, they offer the opportunity to broaden provision and respond to developing workforce needs.

"This is about creating meaningful progression and ensuring fitness professionals have access to regulated, high-quality education that supports where the sector is heading next."

Both qualifications are now available. Training providers and learners can access full qualification information, including specifications and delivery requirements, through the YMCA Awards website.