Martial Arts - Instructors Standards
Martial Arts Instructor Standards have always be hard to assess due to the way their qualifications are measured. Some instructors simply feel by having a Black Belt they are qualified to teach while others complete numerous coaching / business courses and obtain what they feel is the right business entity and join professional associations. At the moment the government doesn't set standards for martial arts instructors the peak industry bodies and instructors themselves do, in other words the industry self regulates. Although there are a few variables the peak bodies generally all have similar views in that they want to see higher standards to make our industry more professional.
It has only been in the past decade that the bar has been raised by visionary people like Jim Fung, Barry Johnson, Damien Martin, Michael Muleta, Mannie de Matos and Con Calameri who set up Registered Training Orginisations (RTOs) to make available government recognised martial arts coaching qualifications to the industry. Prior to this we have been using the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) which may have served adequately in the past but no longer seem appropriate to meet instructor needs and new industry standards.
Why new industry standards?
It is now recognised that instructors need more skills to operate a martial arts school (eg to understand their duty of care,
have appropriate coaching methods, meet OH&S requirements etc) as they are running what is classified as a business. The other thing to mention is the insurance companies require instructors to meet a set criteria or they are not deemed qualified and therefore are uninsurable.
New martial arts standards address the following issues:
| Black Belt or equivalent 3-5 years of training |
- Instructors having the appropriate martial arts skills |
|---|---|
| Senior First Aid | - Instructor offering the appropriate duty of care |
| Coaching | - Instructors having the Skills to work In all phases of training / rehabilitation / motivation / age specific etc |
| Occupation Health & Safety | - Instructor understand workplace laws and have the appropriate risk management strategies in place |
| Training & Assessing | - Instructor being able to develop / deliver appropriate curriculum which can be measured for everyone |
| Business | - Instructor having the knowledge to operate all aspects of a small business |
| Codes of Practice | - Insuring Instructors to conduct themselves appropriately |
| Policies / Procedures | - Instructor addressing issues of Blood Spillage, Sexual Harassment, Injuries etc |
| Working with Children Check | - Protecting children from people who may be pedophiles |
| Police Check | - Identifying if an instructor has a criminal record |
| Weapons Licence | - Identifying if instructors are licence to teach prohibited weapons |
| Martial Arts Insurance | - Instructor having the appropriate protection for all members of the school in the case of an accident |
More and more instructors we have contact with are eager to embrace these changes as they only serve to improve the public perspective of martial arts and better equipment instructors to do their job. There are still some martial artists that feel all they need are their martial arts skills to teach and in some circumstances this will suffice. Mainstream teaching for the majority has left that mindset behind many years ago and embraces new standards and therefore a new and exciting era for martial arts. Being a martial arts teacher these days means you can have a very successful career and enjoy a great lifestyle without compromising what you teach. Down below are some quick links that will give instructors the resources they need to be better instructors and better business people.
*Martial Arts Qualifications - Courses that give you the skills at the right price - AMACS
*Martial Arts
Gradings - Creditable panel of experts to assist in Dan/Rank promotions
*Martial Arts Directory - Get listed, get found and get more students
*Martial Arts News - Industry news that informs you of changes you need to know
*Martial Arts Events - See what's on, get your event advertised for free
*Martial Arts Business Mentors - Available to to take your school to the next level
*Martial Arts Curriculums - Turn key teaching programs that make you money
*Martial Arts Peak Industry Body - Working with government and corporations to grow the industry
Martial Arts Australia - The 'One Stop Shop' for the Martial Arts School Owner
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