Print version Recommend this page Press release
35/ 2007
Bonn, 09.08.2007
The ideal combination of hobby and profession - two new training regulations in the field of sport
Professionalisation of sport is also an area which is continuing to be driven forwards within vocational education and training. From the start of the new training year, training can now be offered both in the new occupation of sports specialist and in the updated occupation of sports and fitness administrator, thus fulfilling the wish expressed by the branch for skills and knowledge from the field of practical sport to be added to the existing commercial content of training. On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) has been working with experts from the respective specialist associations to draw up the new training regulations. Training in both occupations is of three years' duration.
What does the new training occupation of sports specialist have to offer?
Sports specialists are directly involved in the sporting and training operations of clubs and associations or gyms and fitness clubs. Further areas of deployment may be in one of Germany's network of "Olympia" elite sports training support centres or in institutes providing preventative and rehabilitation services. The training is aimed at active young people who pursue sporting activities.
Tasks carried out by sports specialists include such activities as the drawing up and implementation of training plans which are then realised using modern training methods. They also conduct individual initial assessments, focus on anatomical, physiological and nutritional aspects and provide advice on the role played by sporting activities in preventative health care. In addition to this, they prepare sporting facilities, organise competitions and provide support to the sportsmen and women taking part in these.
Within the scope of their training, they acquire knowledge and skills at the level of Licensed Fitness Trainer of the German Association of Fitness Centres (DSSV), the "C" Trainer Licence and the "C" and "B" level coaching badges of German Olympic Association (DOSB). This new occupation enables training institutes to provide young people with professional training in the field of amateur sport and to promote elite sport.
What is new in the occupation of sports and fitness administrator?
The updating of the sports and fitness administrator training regulations, which have been in existence since 2001, has sharpened the profile of the occupation and also added practical sporting content to the training. In future, the sports and exercise skills acquired by the young people will extend over the whole of the training period. They will obtain competences and knowledge at the level of Licensed Fitness Trainer of the DSSV and the "C" Trainer Licence of the DOSB.
Commercial skills will continue to form the main focus of their activities. These include the structuring of operational processes, marketing, business management, controlling and human resources management. Sports and fitness administrators mainly work in the commercial and organisational areas of associations, clubs and fitness companies and are also employed in local authority and private sporting and sporting venue administration.
For further German language information, please visit the BIBB website at
- www.bibb.de/de/29880.htm (sports specialist)
- www.bibb.de/de/27374.htm (sports and fitness administrator).
Point of contact at BIBB for further information:
- Bettina Trappmann-Webers, Tel.: 0228 / 107-2420; e-mail: trappmann-webers@bibb.de
