The Register of Aquatic Professionals (RAPs) has officially been launched into its pilot phase.
Owned and operated by SkillsActive, the scheme has been developed in partnership with employers and looks to provide verification that those working in the sector are fully qualified to perform their roles.
It will also bring together three awarding organisations - Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), Swimming Teachers Association (STA) and Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) - for the first time to work toward the development of one single qualification structure for each aquatic role.
It is hoped that increased professionalism and standards will lead to increased participation in swimming in Britain, benefitting both the industry and the sport.
The four-month pilot period will initially cover England, with plans to roll the scheme out across the UK. Following the pilot, RAPs will formally launch to the aquatic industry in the summer.
Ian Taylor, CEO of Skills Active who operate RAPs, said: "RAPs heralds a new and exciting development for the aquatic industry.
"This significant step will introduce a new fit for purpose sector qualification framework, which has a single qualification structure for each aquatic job role.
"It will give clarity and consistency to employers for the first time in regards to qualifications."
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The Register of Aquatic Professionals (RAPs) has officially been launched into its pilot phase.
Owned and operated by SkillsActive, the scheme has been developed in partnership with employers and looks to provide verification that those working in the sector are fully qualified to perform their roles.
It will also bring together three awarding organisations - Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), Swimming Teachers Association (STA) and Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) - for the first time to work toward the development of one single qualification structure for each aquatic role.
It is hoped that increased professionalism and standards will lead to increased participation in swimming in Britain, benefitting both the industry and the sport.
The four-month pilot period will initially cover England, with plans to roll the scheme out across the UK. Following the pilot, RAPs will formally launch to the aquatic industry in the summer.
Ian Taylor, CEO of Skills Active who operate RAPs, said: "RAPs heralds a new and exciting development for the aquatic industry.
"This significant step will introduce a new fit for purpose sector qualification framework, which has a single qualification structure for each aquatic job role.
"It will give clarity and consistency to employers for the first time in regards to qualifications."
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Anytime Fitness opened more than one club a day in 2025 and is on track to maintain this rate
of growth this year, as parent company Purpose Brands targets further international expansion.
The £33.9 million Leighton Leisure and Community Centre has opened in Leighton Buzzard, UK,
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CoverMe, the global leader in fitness workforce management, today launches CoverMe PT, an
on-demand personal training platform that connects the right personal trainer to the right
client in under 10 seconds. [more...]
Active Blackpool is deploying Cornerstone Connect, a new digital interface allowing
disparate information from multiple systems to be aggregated into one dataset, to support
its focus on reducing health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
ukactive ukactive is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more tha [more...]
