Why You Should Only Engage Coaches & Instructors with Credentials and Valid Work Permits

Engaging a coach or instructor, whether for sports, fitness, arts or enrichment programmes, requires more than convenience or cost considerations. It requires making safe, informed and responsible choices.

At NICA, together with NTUC Freelancer, we continue to champion for progressive engagement practices for freelancers and self-employed persons (SEPs). This includes engaging coaches and instructors who have credentials and valid work permits. Doing so protects consumers (like yourself), strengthens accountability and supports a more professional industry.

Why It Matters: What’s at Stake for Consumers and Service Buyers?

Engaging a coach or instructor without proper verification may seem harmless, but it carries significant risks.

1. The consequences fall on you
If injuries, disagreements or disputes occur, the risk may lie with you as the consumer / service buyer. Without proper documentation or credentials, it becomes difficult to hold the individual accountable.

2. No recourse, no accountability
Unverified coaches and instructors operate without recognised industry standards of care. This can mean:
• No formal complaint channels
• No quality and safety assurance
• No obligation to follow professional codes of practice
When things go wrong, you may have no avenue for recourse

3. It is illegal to engage a foreigner without a valid work permit
Engaging a foreign coach or instructor without the appropriate work permit is a violate of Singapore Law under the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA).

What You Can Do:

1. Use the National Registry of Coaches (NROC) and the National Registry of Exercise Professionals (NREP)
One of the most reliable ways to confirm a sport coach or exercise professional’s qualifications is through the national registries managed by SportSG. These registries ensure that individuals listed have met minimum standards in training, certification, and safety practices.
You may search for them here: https://www.sportsync.gov.sg/s/find-professional

2. Request for relevant documents
Some coaches and instructors may indicate that they are MOE-registered instructors or PA Trainers. If this is relevant to the service you are engaging, do not hesitate to ask for relevant supporting documents.

3. Refer to the NTUC Freelancer Directory
For broader categories of coaches and instructors, you can also check the NTUC Freelancer Directory. You will be able to find coaches and instructors who follow our code of ethics, modelled after the principles of TS-SEP.
Browse the directory here: https://www.ntuc.org.sg/freelancer/freelancer-directory/find-a-professional

Coaches and Instructors: We Need Your Support Too

We encourage all coaches and instructors to help amplify this message. By educating more consumers and service buyers, we strengthen trust and uplift the standards of our profession.
Together, let’s build a safer, more trusted and more professional environment for all.
Together, we stay #NICAByYourSide.

Reference:
Hiring a Freelancer This Festive Season? Here’s Why It Pays to Check Before You Book, published by NTUC Freelancer. Link: https://www.ntuc.org.sg/freelancer/news/Hiring%20a%20Freelancer%20This%20Festive%20Season%20-%20Here%20is%20Why%20It%20Pays%20to%20Check%20Before%20You%20Book/