QUALIFICATIONS FOR RUNNING A SCHOOL

To run a martial arts school you not only need the qualifications,

You also need to be recognised by a number of communities and authorities which will include extra credibility from peak body associations.

FORMAL QUALIFICATIONS -

Some qualifications maybe deemed higher than others however the relevance plays a bigger part in obtaining the most appropriate skills / knowledge for the job, (teaching martial arts).

Time

Just like learning any trade / profession it takes about 4-5 years to be competent enough, to teach martial arts in your own club.

This will give instructors a general martial arts black belt or blue/purple BJJ belt, which is acceptable to run their own club and qualify for insurance.

The Learning Process

Practical coaching skills are generally picked up by been giving assistant teaching roles in their club. The sports science, coaching, communication, risk management etc is best learnt from attending the right industry courses. 

To operate a club on your own, further study of business is essential, for creating a viable business whilst adhering to the appropriate legal operational compliance.

Basic Level Academic Qualifications

Being in a good school that has an instructors  / team leader program (inhouse) is a great start.

Doing an ASC general principles coaching course is another good starting place as well. It may give additional knowledge to the inhouse on course.

A more comprehensive course would be a full coaching course that can be run from a peak industry body or through a RTO.  See AMACS

Advanced Level Academic Qualifications

A more formal qualification such as Cert III - Dip in Sports Coaching / Fitness is really good, but doesn't cover the core martial arts specifics.

The same goes for a dgree, but adding a Cert IV Trainer and Assessor stands on its own as a great asset. The TAE gives instructors a much better  foundation for teaching / designing programs.

Other aspects of evaluating an instructor's qualifications

ESSENTIAL RECOGNITION FOR INSTRUCTORS AND SCHOOLS

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS - Membership to associations / peak bodies serve all industries, it shows that instructors want to access higher learning, comply with industry standards, keep up to date on regulations, get access to support services and be recognised as a professional operator. Extra points given.

Operator Checks Are Required

- Weapons licences
- Police Checks
- Work With Children Checks
Although some of these checks may not be required for teaching certain activities and groups in the community.

National Sport Organisation Recognition:

NSOs go through a government vetting process to operate in accordance to set guidelines. Many have worked with the Australia Sports Commission (ASC) providing the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme (NCAS) training courses. Now that the ASC has retired the NCAS the NSOs now provide their own inhouse training course which is not endorsed by the ASC.

Industry Instructor Recognition:

The industry (general associations and peak bodies) can provide instructors with recognition through training courses and an accreditation / certification. They all offer some form of operational resourceses / mandates for codes of conduct, risk management manuals, waiver forms and other business support.

The largest peak body in Australia by membership and services is Martial Arts Australia. Their membership is the most sort after in the industry providing the most support.

Corporations Instructor Recognition:

Corporations follow industry and government recognition which helps them identify professionalism This is a factor when companies commit any investment (sponsorship) to service providers. They are much more likely to accept trainers that have the most appropriate industry recognition.

Consumer Instructor Recognition

The consumer is now more likely to question instructor qualifications / accreditations / certifications to evaluate if they are deemed qualified in their eyes.

Consumers want to see a governing authority that has checked an instructor’s qualifications, if they are insured, to make sure they are in safe hands.  Having a professional association membership infers to them, that the instructor has been screened and has committed to ongoing education and industry compliance.