The Department of Sport and Recreation (DSR) and Central TAFE have worked out a way to get more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people working in the fitness industry.
23 June 2009
The two have joined forces for a pilot project offering a Certificate III in Fitness course for adults from ATSI backgrounds, and registrations are now open.
"The qualification enables participants to gain employment as fitness instructors within a gym or recreation centre environment and is ideal for anyone who enjoys keeping fit and helping others," said DSR Indigenous Sports Development Officer Nick Abraham.
"Indigenous mentoring is a feature of the program, as well as hands-on work experience in a gym."
Mr Abraham said an increased awareness of the importance of physical activity and healthy lifestyles meant more people were joining fitness centres and taking part in group classes than ever before.
"As a result, the demand for these services has created a wide range of employment options and opportunities within the fitness industry," he said.
"The working environment within the fitness sector is exciting and rewarding, and we want to ensure that people from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background are among those taking up the opportunities that exist in this exciting industry."
The course will run during Semester 2 (July 2009 onwards) at Central TAFE, Northbridge. Applications close Friday 17 July 2009, and places are limited.
Application forms are available at www.dsr.wa.gov.au (click on the ‘Indigenous' link), or for more information contact Justin Vaughan at Leederville TAFE on 9202 4923.
