What’s your education and training pathway?
There is no one pathway into the sport, fitness and recreation sector. But it’s important to have a strategy to get the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Most people join the sport, fitness and recreation sector either via vocational education and training or through a university qualification. Others take on a traineeship, find an entry-level job or become a volunteer.
But which one will work for you? The sections below offer a quick introduction to each pathway, as well as some of the industry opportunities each will qualify you for.
Vocational Education and Training (VET) is a great option if you prefer learning in a practical environment. Combining a mix of theory and practice, VET courses are available at different levels from Certificate II to Advanced Diploma. Certificate II and III courses can be undertaken as school-based traineeships. School leavers can enrol in Certificate III to Diploma level courses depending on the particular training organisation and the student’s studies and experience.
These courses feature training that could lead you to being a fitness instructor, sport administrator, community recreation officer, sports coach, outdoor recreation leader or sport development officer.
You can do VET through a number of different avenues. VET through TAFE and private Registered Training Organisations includes traineeships, whole qualifications, short courses (parts of qualifications), and individual subjects or competencies. VET through secondary schools goes towards your Queensland Certificate of Education (QCE), as well as giving you an industry qualification when you finish school. VET through schools includes various level Certificate qualifications and part-time traineeships.
Tertiary (University) – In considering this option it is important to fully examine the qualification, exploring course entry requirements and the job opportunities after graduation. University courses explore the theoretical aspects of a field and provide practical experience through industry placement subjects.
A few examples of available courses specifically targeted to fitness, sport and recreation include Bachelor Of Business (Sports Management), Bachelor of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences and Bachelor of Sport and Exercise.
Traineeships –Â A sport, recreation or fitness traineeship offers real employment and formal training at the same time. Some traineeships come about through advertised jobs. Others are created through a willing applicant approaching an organisation and asking to be employed as a trainee.
Another option is to contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (Apprenticeship Network) provider, a Registered Training Organisation or a Group Training Organisation and ask how they can help.
Employment – A full time, part time or casual job in the sport, recreation or fitness industry means a chance to build a career, network with new people and learn and do new things. Examples of entry-level positions include: retail assistant in a sports store, referee, administration assistant or an assistant outdoor recreation leader.
Volunteer & Community Work – There are a wide variety of organisations that depend on volunteers. Volunteer work in sport and recreation is an excellent way of experiencing new challenges and learning about the industry.
Interested in the university route?
There are so many fascinating sports-related subjects to explore at tertiary level.
What will it be?
Research Sport & Exercise Science, Nutrition, Clinical Exercise Physiology, Sport Medicine, Sport Coaching, Health, Sport & Physical Education, Sport & Exercise Psychology- to name a few?
To dig into all the higher education providers across QLD and Northern NSW, check out QTAC.
