The UK Spa Association (UKSA) has announced a potential new partnership with the University of Derby, that will see the development of a new qualification.

Designed to increase the number of people entering the spa industry, the proposed diploma was announced at UKSA's Summer Networking and Spa Directors Assembly, as part of its 'Work for Wellness' campaign. It aims to foster an attitude shift, particularly among parents, teachers and career advisors, which UKSA has identified as one of the biggest potential barriers, towards the spa sector in order to attract new talent into the industry and improve workforce retention.

The diploma will aim to provide career development opportunities and raise professional standards, as well as create aspirational careers for those entering the industry.

It will form part of UKSA's Work for Wellness campaign, which was officially launched at the assembly, which took place at South Lodge Spa in Horsham, West Sussex, and attracted more than 200 attendees from the spa industry.

Work for Wellness is designed to dispel the myth that the spa industry does not offer career growth and progression. As part of the campaign, UKSA will create materials for their members that they can use to reach out to local schools and educate children, from the age of 11 upwards, about the opportunities that a career in spa and wellness can offer them.

In addition, the association announced that National Spa Week will undergo a major rebrand, offering a contemporary new look.

Throughout the week, 4 - 10 November, UKSA will be uploading educational content to its website exploring the theme of 'Workplace Wellness', including employee mental health, employee physical health, recruitment and retention, commercial health (Workplace Wellness strategies), business health, leadership and employee financial wellness.