Exercise and fitness has become much more important for many people over the past year and a Forth Valley College course could be the starting block for those wishing to tap into the increasingly popular industry.
FVC’s Sports Department is running an SVQ1 Sport & Active Leisure course for anyone that may have an interest in working within the leisure environment and spaces are still available for an August start date.
Topics covered in the full-time one year course include: Body Conditioning, Nutrition, Health and Well-being, Exercise and Fitness: Circuit Training, Exercise and Fitness: Resistance Training, Leisure equipment maintenance, Health and safety in sporting environment, Dealing with accidents and emergencies, Activity preparation and planning, Body conditioning, First aid and Core skills.
Pictured here are some current SVQ students showing off the new gym facilities at FVC’s Falkirk Campus they use regularly in the course of their studies.
Stewart McIntosh, who is now in his first year of the HNC Fitness, Health and Exercise student: "I found that the SVQ course set me up with the knowledge I needed to help gain my many qualifications to progress with the HNC course. The SVQ course provided me with the skills required and I learned how to research specific subjects, as well as gaining experience delivering classes and working with others. In my view the SVQ course provides the perfect opportunity to help decide whether sport or fitness is the career path you truly wish to go down."
Aidan Brewins, a former SVQ student who is now studying for a HND Sports Coaching & Development course (2nd year), said: “I enjoyed the experience of the course, allowing me to go on work experience. The course was great for giving me the fundamentals to progress through the college. It opened doors and helped me prepare for other courses in sport and fitness.”
Lecturer Michael Young, said: “Students will learn the foundations of planning, preparing and delivering physical activity, whilst also developing knowledge and understanding of physiological and nutritional aspects of exercise and fitness. As part of this course they will also be afforded the opportunity to develop their skills and qualities through work placement at our three campus gyms in Alloa, Falkirk and Stirling.
“A work placement will help students gain an opportunity to develop experience in carrying out leisure attendant activities including setting up activities, maintaining equipment, health and safety. As part of this course learners will work with participants/customers through leisure attendant activities and supporting fitness instructors with class deliveries.
“Many students that have completed this course have progressed onto our level 5/Level 6 sport and fitness courses and even progressed onto our HND Fitness, Health and Exercise and HND Sports Coaching and Development courses the following years. This Course is a good foundation course to give an experience of what it’s like to work within a gym environment as well as enjoying the college experience.”
For more information call 01324 403000 or visit https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/courses/sport/svq1-sport-and-active-leisure