We are continuously hearing the need for Instructors to hold NVQ Qualifications or a Nationally Recognised Certificate to teach Martial Arts.
This is actually, for the moment, not correct.
All the Insurance Companies want to see is proof that a person either holds a black belt (the equivalent to a Diploma / Degree in their art) or has been awarded a Coaching Qualification from the Group they belong to. I have also searched the Houses of Parliament website for any new bills that are waiting to be passed relating to the same – there are none at present. The only one I found related to Insurance and the requirements of the Insurance Companies before cover is granted, this one was 5 years old.
There is also the misconception that we need to belong to a “Governing Body” as recognised by the Sports Council. After checking with the Houses of Parliament and directly with the Sports Council this too is incorrect. The only reason we would need to belong to a Sports Council recognised Governing Body would be to enable us to apply for sports grants. Besides the CMAA is a multi style Group and as such would need to join them all, which is neither viable nor practical.
The NVQ’s are engineered to cater for an employed environment, irrelevant of job or task. The following is a quote from the QCA (Qualifications & Curriculum Authority) website:
“National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) are work related competence based qualifications. They reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively, and show that a candidate is competent in the area the NVQ framework represents.
NVQ’s are based on National occupational standards. These
standards are statements of performance that describe what competent people in
a particular occupation are expected to be able to do. They cover all the main
aspects of an occupation, including current best practice, the ability to adapt
to future requirements and the knowledge and understanding that underpin
competent performance.”
I have spent over 12 months searching for an NVQ that closely matches the training that we, the CMAA, already offer. I have now found that Activity Leadership NVQ/SVQ Level 2 covers almost, though not all, of the subjects covered in our training courses.
1. D21 Prepare for a session
2. D22 Lead a session
3. D23 Conclude and review a session
4. A52 Contribute to the work of your team
5. C22 Promote safety in the sport and activity environment
1. C12 Set up, take down and store equipment
2. C36 Support the protection of children from
abuse
So how does this relate and compare to the CMAA's Martial Arts Instructor UK Training Programme and requirements?
All the above sections are covered in the CMAA Martial Arts Instructor UK training programme Programme plus some extra ones as follows:
1. Emergency First Aid (St John Ambulance Accredited & Martial Arts Related)
2. Health & Safety
3. Risk Assessments
4. Knowledge of their own style of Martial Art and how it differs from other styles
5. Instructing skills
6. Codes of conduct
7. Child Protection
8. Dealing with unacceptable behaviour and discipline guidelines
9. Communication Skills
10. The importance of Insurance
11. The CRB (criminal records bureau) and its importance
With regards to mandatory units D21, D22 & D23 these are all done at Level 2 and 1 by planning and running a lesson using the standard CMAA forms. During this lesson a CMAA Assessor/Verifier again assesses them.
The final stage is a check with the Criminal Records Bureau under the Child Protection Act (inline with C36) to ensure they have no convictions that would prevent them from carrying out the role and put others at risk.
The C.M.A.A. Martial Arts Instructor UK Training Programme is in line with Activity Leadership NVQ/SVQ Level 2 requirements but requires much more work and study, including written examinations, before the C.M.A.A. Level 1 (Full Instructor) qualification is awarded.
Andrew Morrell
President C.M.A.A. 2004