Fitness Skills Gap Continues: Childrens' Programs Suffer

A shortage of fitness trainers qualified to deliver exercise programs to children still exists despite the economic downturn.
"There is an urgent need for qualified fitness professionals to deliver exercise to children", said Kit McMahon, General Manager at Service Skills Australia, "the fitness industry is well-placed to offer solutions to the obesity crisis, yet there aren't enough people with the right qualification to fill the gap."
There has been growth in the development of both facilities and programs aimed at children and adolescents. However, only 28% of the exercise professionals registered with Fitness Australia are able to deliver childrenâs fitness programs.
Service Skills Australia, the industry skills council for the service industry, has recently completed a pilot of an Australian Apprenticeship program for Certificate III in Fitness, with specialisation in delivering exercise programs to children and young adults.
The program, funded under the Australian Government's Industry Training Strategies Program, administered by the Federal Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, is an important step to ensure that Australia has appropriately skilled fitness professionals to deal with the future needs of the Australian population.
"Training in the fitness industry is currently focusing on the higher profile occupations of gym instructor and personal trainer", McMahon add, "we would encourage students, jobseekers and qualified fitness professionals to undertake training in this specialisation."
The qualification can be undertaken by completing training through a registered training organisation or through an Australian Apprenticeship.
For more information contact Lizzie Ball of Service Skills Australia on 02 8243 1200.
lball@serviceskills.com.au
http://www.serviceskills.com.au