Over the last 5 years, the UKSCA has developed this new entry-level professional standard and education partner model for three main reasons:

• To ensure high quality S&C is available to more athletes and the general public
  As the benefits of S&C become more widely recognised, the UKSCA and our partners need to ensure that those delivering to youth and recreational athletes, the elderly and general public are suitably qualified to do so. S&C Trainer provides a common standard for those new to the S&C profession, as well as those from other professions who are delivering elements of S&C such as PE Teachers, sports coaches, physiotherapists and fitness professionals.
   
• To emphasise the importance of coaching and practical experience in education
  Many S&C qualifications get the balance of theory vs practical experience wrong, resulting in graduates who know the theory and can design S&C programmes, without having developed the applied skills to deliver and coach them effectively.
   
• To address the myths that S&C is just lifting heavy weights and complex exercises
  While Olympic lifting and complex exercises such as plyometrics are widely used in S&C, the largely bodyweight foundation movement skills and energy systems need to be developed first, which in themselves, bring benefits to a much wider population.

UKSCA Accredited S&C Trainers (ASCT) have typically completed 6-12 months of formal S&C education, at a minimum level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), as well as personal development and applied working practice.

• When working independently, S&C Trainers plan and coach programmes for youth, general adult populations and recreational athletes. They can bring the benefits of strength and conditioning to a wider population
• They may also work as part of a larger S&C team as an assistant under an Accredited S&C Coach, providing training support to performance athletes in more complex S&C programmes.