With just over 1,500 Scottish members, REPs is increasingly being seen by employers in Scotland as a way of demonstrating to the public the qualifications and competence of their fitness staff.

Throughout the month of May, the Register held a number of discussions with key Scottish agencies to further enhance the support REPs can give to the Scottish fitness industry. Work has begun to map a range of qualifications awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) to the national occupational standards for exercise and fitness. Once this mapping is complete this will allow REPs to recognise a wider range of Scottish qualifications for entry to the Register.

REPs is also in discussions with Fitness Scotland, the National Governing Body for fitness in Scotland. These discussions have concentrated on the point at which SVQ students can be recognised for REPs entry, increasing access to CPD, and the aspiration of a part time REPs registrar in Scotland. Both the SQA and Fitness Scotland, along with several key employers recently took part in a consultation event on the new national occupational standards for exercise and fitness. REPs is also organising a Scottish Convention, titled "Professionalising the Fitness Industry in Scotland" on June 26 2009.

REPs Registrar Jean-Ann Marnoch said "We're delighted to be working so closely with these key agencies in Scotland and are looking forward to supporting the Scottish fitness industry, and our members north of the border, even more in the future. "Our work in Wales has been incredibly successful and we've no doubt that these efforts will prove just as fruitful. Great progress has already been made and we're looking forward to taking this to the next stage."