BIS are proud to announce the launch of the revamped BIS: ASSISTANT COACH qualification.
Feedback showed there was a need for change to our previous qualification in terms of relevance, contact time between BIS and the applicants, mentor support to help upcoming coaches, as well as the outcome of successfully completing the course.
Accordingly, the following changes are being introduced:
Open To All
We’re introducing a BIS Competency Test, allowing skaters from all backgrounds to apply and start their coaching journey.
Historically BIS coaching licenses have only been accessible by first attaining a figure skating skills test – the requirement now will be BIS Skills 1 or to pass the BIS Competency Test (to be taken alongside their written and practical exams on assessment day).
Details on the Competency Test will be available prior to application, so applicants can be confident they meet the necessary standard before applying.
Improved Learning Experience
Mentor hour requirements have been revised to create a more efficient training experience, with additional support and contact from BIS.
For ALL candidates there will now be 30 mentored hours required, including 24 mandatory hours of Skate UK mentoring, split between observation and delivery.
Immediate Return on Investment
Our new Level 1 Assistant Coach qualification will allow newly qualified coaches to immediately put their professional qualification into use.
On successful completion of the course, they will be fully licensed to independently teach, and earn money from teaching, the Skate UK programme.
Pricing
The cost will also be increasing to £500pp to reflect the extra value built into the qualification.
The cost will now include the applicant’s license fee for their first year when qualified, their written and practical exams, education from experts in the field at the BIS Coaching Convention, multiple professional development courses, and modules and guidance freshly updated to reflect industry best practice.
See the full course details here:
Interested in Applying?
Places on our first cohort for the new Assistant Coach qualification are now full.
Our cohort sizes are limited to ensure the highest possible quality of course delivery, and due to the high level of interest we have now filled all spaces for our first cohort. For those who have already applied but are outside of our capped intake number, you will be moved across to cohort two - we will contact you directly with more details soon.
You can still apply for Cohort 2, who will begin their course in September 2024. Once places on this cohort are full, applications will be paused until they reopen for our third cohort (due to open on 1st Sept).
The response to the new Assistant Coach qualification has been fantastic, and we're very excited that the BIS membership have embraced and engaged with the new format of coaching!
How to Apply
Applications for our new Level 1 Assistant Coach Qualification should be made like all normal coaching application by submitting a completed application form via Sport80. We apologise for the issues some applicants experienced submitting their application form - this issue should now be fixed. If you are still struggling to submit your application, please contact coaching@iceskating.org.uk
Current Level 1 Coaches
If you are currently a qualified Level 1 Coach and wish to transfer over to the new qualification, you can do so - find out more about our Bridge The Gap opportunity here: