Click here to see the Units of Competency for this course.

The learner group for this qualification are people wishing to gain a qualification in order to apply specialist skills to train individual clients, or groups of clients, on a one-on-one or group basis, to improve health-related components of fitness in relatively low risk situations. This includes training of older clients and children.

They have a substantial depth of knowledge to plan, conduct and evaluate exercise training; provide leadership and guidance to clients and other staff; and deal with unpredictable situations applying defined guidelines and procedures from the fitness industry and the organisation.

They work independently or with limited guidance from others and use discretion to solve non-routine problems, including monitoring and managing business activities to operate efficiently and profitably.

The learner group are those who require a structured, classroom based program with significant practical experience.

Mandatory entry requirements

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold a current first aid and CPR certificate and have been recognised as competent through a recognised training program or recognition process against the following units of competency:

Recommended entry requirements:

• Sufficient level of language, literacy and numeracy in order to interpret documents, student guides and assessment tools, prepare written reports and plans.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills to instruct exercise programs across a wide range of clients and maintain relationships with clients of various ages and backgrounds.
• High level of personal fitness and enthusiasm for health and fitness and helping others improve their fitness level.

Academic Entry Requirements

• No English proficiency testing for students from English speaking nations
• International Students from non-English speaking nations:
  • Upper intermediate level (completed)
  • Equivalent of IELTS 5.5
  • With no individual band under 5.0

OR

• A completed Certificate IV qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework (issued within 2 years from the commencement of studies with ALG)

• The course is delivered over 36 weeks (30 weeks delivery plus 6 weeks in term breaks).
  This full-time training program of 900 hours is delivered as follows:
• 30 weeks delivery (3 x 10-week terms) comprising:
  • 20 contact hours – 13.5 hours face to face classes and 6.5 hours distance structured study per week during term time
  • 10 hours self-directed learning activities per week during term time
  • 6 weeks in term breaks.
• The units of competency in the qualification have been organised into a program of study clustered into modules as specified above

Training and Assessment
Your classroom learning will take place in both theory classrooms and working gyms. This means your classroom will have similar equipment, educational and physical resources to those you will find in gym or fitness centre.

Where possible, students will be allocated to different gyms throughout their course, in order to experience different standards of facilities and resources. This will mean that students are able to modify their programming based on the resources that are available to them.

In your classes you can expect to take the role of client and personal trainer, engage in roleplays, create programs and simulate learning activities that you will then put into practice in the workplace. You will learn and develop your knowledge to plan for your clients’ care.
In addition, you will be required to undertake self-paced learning and submit written assessments. A number of practical and skills based assessments will be undertaken in class.

A first aid course is also part of this qualification.

Practical Classes
You will undertake half of your timetabled study program in a working gym. In this practical you will be learning and practicing the skills you will be able to use in your own workplace.

In order to successfully complete this component of your study, you will have to successfully complete a range of tasks including a log book and practical exam.
Training Locations

Your training will occur on campus and within a gym.

Please refer to course timetable for the campus locations.

Structured Study

Students are required to undertake structured study for 6.5 hours a week and are provided with a plan (based on a 10-week period) that outlines various learning activities to be undertaken to prepare them to undertake their summative assessment requirements. The plan requires students to spend an average of 2 hours per week on these activities and 3 hours completing their assessments. The completion of the Structured Study Plan is monitored in class.

Self-directed learning activities

Students are expected to undertake self-study 10 hours a week to:

• review, revise materials and
• practice gym skills learnt during the week
• reinforce learning and prepare for follow up sessions.

The amount of time students needs to spend varies upon the individual but generally 10 hours per week during term time is appropriate.

Students are provided with a Self-Directed Learning Plan for each module that guides them through the self-study time with suggested reading, formative activities. Students are also encouraged to reflect on their learning by documenting what they have learned, what activities were useful and what they would like to learn more about.

The completion of the Self-Directed Learning Plan is monitored in class and the activities completed may be utilised in classroom sessions as the basis for group discussion and to engage in discussion in comparing student activity responses.

Student Support
ALG provides a variety of support services to students:

• LLN Support
  Based on the results of the LLN Robot test, ALG will:
  • enrol the student in an appropriate course-based
    on the student’s language literacy and numeracy levels;
  • offer appropriate support in their selected course
    including completing recommended strategies from LLN Robot and attending
    additional learning support classes during the term;
  • provide customised learning activities to
    increase the relevant LLN areas through the use of a range of strategies e.g. use
    tasks with embedded LLN skills, creating extension tasks and scaffolding
    interaction;
  • schedule professional development of trainers and assessors on implementing support strategies and the design of learning activities
    that will facilitate the ongoing development of students’ LLN levels;
  • ensure that students LLN capabilities are
    monitored during the program duration. Trainers and assessors and the learning support tutor will review each student’s LLN ability and their
    progress with the training and assessment tasks.
• LLN Support Classes
  ALG will offer LLN classes to assist students with their literacy and communication skills. These classes will run for 1.5 hours a week for 9 weeks each term.
• Learning Support Classes
  Learning Support classes will be scheduled on week 5 and week 9 of each term (prior to assessments due dates) to support students experiencing difficulties with their studies or assessment tasks. Additional classes may be offered subject to feedback/requests from trainers or students.
• Counselling Support
  ALG provides a free counselling service on campus. Students can drop in or make an
  appointment to see a professional counsellor for support with their studies or personal issues. Students book online via alg.edu.au/counsellingservice;
  Students can also book a counselling session via the Student Counselling clinic (through ALG online portal http://4lifecollege.edu.au/clinic/), which is provided by students within the Diploma of Counselling program.
• Student Advisors/Head Trainers/Trainers
  Other support comes from Student Advisors, Head Trainers and the allocated trainer/assessor.
  • Students facing any difficulties which may affect their learning can approach the relevant Student Advisor or trainer for advice. Such advice might include a referral to further student support services.
  • Student Advisors offer support throughout a student’s studies and can help with the
    following information:
    • Support services
    • LLN services
    • Legal services;
    • Emergency and health services;
    • Facilities and resources;
    • Complaints and appeals processes;
    • Deferments

• All students attending practical classes at a gym must wear appropriate gym clothing and shoes and bring a towel to all practical classes. Some practical classes may be conducted outdoors so students should also carry appropriate sun protection and clothing to all classes in event class is conducted outdoors. A water bottle is also highly recommended for students to carry every class.
• All students will be required to have access to a laptop or desktop to complete external assessments, however, bringing laptops or tablet devices in class is optional.
• To maximise the chance of a student successfully completing their training, ALG attempts to identify any support individual learners need prior to their enrollment or commencement. Some of the ways to identify learning needs is to ask all prospective students to self-assess. So prior to enrolling please ensure i) you can meet all course requirements (listed in this course overview) ii) you nominate any learning needs they have prior to enrollment either by contacting us or on your application/enrolment forms  and iii) consider booking a trial lesson if you have any doubts the course may not be suitable for you from an educational, cultural or other reason. Please refer to Section A3 of the student handbook for details.

Click here to download the Timetable for this course.