After the successful launch of the Operator Membership, the British Sauna Society has been developing its plans for its Sauna Professional Membership. The first phase of this has been undertaking a research piece to deeper understand the challenges and opportunities for Sauna Masters, as well as Sauna Operators and their wider staff.
Sauna Master is currently the most common understanding of those who work in saunas, but we want to consider all roles that work in sauna environments. For many people new to sauna in the UK, sauna hosts or managers are the first encounter they will have. The experience that first point of contact provides is essentially the front line for the growth of sauna culture across the UK, and we want to support that to make sure it’s exceptional wherever anyone goes for an authentic sauna experience.
We’re also very aware of the uniqueness of sauna culture across the UK and want to preserve the creativity and exploration that we’re seeing. We’re looking to create a framework that makes it easier to work, operate and build a well-paying career in the growing UK sauna industry, but one that is also a platform for performance, artistry, creativity and innovation. It’s particularly important to us that this is preserved with any development of guidelines or regulations by local or national authorities.
Objectives for the BSS
Industry definition, standards and professional identity
-
To gain clarity across the industry on the work that professionals in the sauna industry do, and the roles that they carry out with an agreed terminology
-
The importance of standards for sauna professionals in maintaining quality sauna experiences across the UK
-
Establish an easy available baseline standard for anyone working in a sauna environment in the UK
Career support, development and entry pathways
-
Ensuring that Sauna Professionals can develop life long careers that are financially stable and sustainable, with career progression
-
To establish worker protections for Sauna Professionals, for example safeguarding or non-payment
-
Ensuring that young people are brought into the sauna industry early to secure the future of the industry and to offer employment opportunities
-
To work towards a further educational qualification and an apprenticeship pathway, as recognised by the Department of Education
-
To be ensure UK Sauna Professionals’ training and skills are recognisable if they wish to work abroad
Culture, craft and authenticity of practice
-
Protect the authenticity of sauna rituals and traditions, ensuring standards, education and knowledge sharing as the industry grows
-
Promoting the deep knowledge and high levels of artistry that are inherent in quality sauna rituals and traditions
Industry infrastructure & employment ecosystem
-
To develop connections with the insurance industry to offer Sauna Professionals secure and affordable cover
-
Establish a directory of Sauna Professionals that is available to Operator Members to facilitate hiring, training and specialist rituals or events in saunas across the UK
-
Encourage saunas across the UK - from small to large - to hire specialist Sauna Professionals and to expand the range of sauna rituals that they offer in their programming
-
To provide a clearer and more robust framework for training organisations across the UK and abroad in which to offer and explain their services
Advocacy, public policy and external engagement
-
To develop connections with connected industry authorities and councils to ensure that the work of Sauna Professionals is understood with the right details
-
To stay ahead of any wider regulation development and to ensure that authentic sauna experts are guiding it to be a help rather than a hindrance
-
To ensure any regulation or guidelines apply fairly across different size businesses, protecting both individual workers, small businesses and large corporates
-
To work with HMRC to recognise any fees as tax deductible
What’s in it for Sauna Professionals?
-
A richer jobs market resulting in a more competitive market with better pay
-
Career progression
-
Pride and identity in working in a nationally recognised profession with public profiles into specialisms and skills
-
Being able to share that you’re a registered professional that is endorsed by a national body
-
Access to specialised insurance and safety protections for your work
-
Belonging to a connected community that recognises and supports your career
-
Have a leading say in how the Sauna Professional career develops in the UK
What’s in it for Sauna Operators?
-
Showcase the investment in training and skills of your staff to the public and have it as a point of differentiation from competitors
-
Access to a detailed catalogue of Sauna Professionals
-
Easier and smoother recruiting processes with more definition around job roles and descriptions
-
Access to local funds that support young people into education and training
-
Raised standards for all sauna staff, particularly through baseline education for sauna hosts
-
Improved maintenance and longevity of sauna equipment with better educated staff and ritual practitioners, and by proxy bathers
Please share any thoughts or ideas if you have them here.
