In October 2018, the Royal Air Force (RAF) School of Physical Training joined the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) as a skills development partner.

Consequently, the RAF has aligned its leading physical training to CIMSPA professional standards.

The RAF believes the provision of Physical Education (PEd) by its Physical Training Instructors (PTIs) is key to providing opportunities for RAF personnel to develop appropriate robustness, resilience and readiness to effectively respond to deployed and home-based operational requirements.

As part of the process, the 28-week initial qualification course undertaken by potential PTI’s has been aligned to CIMSPA professional standards, including the:

• Gym instructor elements;
• Personal trainer elements; and
• Group exercise instructor elements.

The partnership demonstrates the RAF’s commitment to promoting high standards in exercise and fitness qualifications for its personnel.

Further, by benchmarking this specialist training course to CIMSPA professional standards, PTI graduates can progress through their military service safe in the knowledge that, when they do transition into civilian life, they are immediately job ready for a second career in the sport and physical activity sector.