Elouise Hicks knew that she wanted to work in the fitness industry and although she wanted to finish Year 12 at Eden Marine High School, she realised that taking a different pathway would help her where she ultimately wanted to go quicker.
In Year 11, Elouise approached the owner of the local gym at which she trained and asked him about how she could get into the fitness industry while she was completing her secondary school education.
“I had thought about fitness as a career option for a long time and wanted to jump into it as soon as I could,” she says.
“I asked Mark Moses, the owner of the Seaside Health Club in Merimbula where I trained, how I could do it and he suggested I look into the School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) program through UOW College. I went and spoke to my careers adviser at school and applied.”
Industry experience and qualifications
The UOW College SBAT program allows secondary school students to complete a nationally recognised qualification in fitness or individual support. As part of the program, students complete at least 100 days in paid employment which can be undertaken during school, before or after school and during school holidays.
When Elouise completes her SBAT at the end of this year, she will graduate with a Certificate III in Fitness (SIS30321), her Higher School Certificate, and the industry experience she gained as part of the SBAT.
“I still go to school five days a week and three afternoons a week I work at the gym,” Eloise says.
“All the learning modules are online, so I self-manage that but my trainer through UOW College is always available to give me feedback or help when I need it.”
Elouise started the fitness SBAT in August 2023, and although it is a two-year program, she is confident she will finish at the same time as she finishes Year 12 this year in November 2024.
“I can continue my HSC while being able to graduate high school with a qualification in a career that I want. It’s a much easier and more efficient way to get a jump into a career than having to wait to finish school and then start studying again.”
Real-life learning
Since starting the program Eloise has learned how to instruct group classes, how to screen clients, write individual programs for clients and how to manage customer service and member interactions.
“I really enjoy instructing classes and running them myself. My favourite is the boxing conditioning circuit,” she says.
“I also fill in for other instructors when they are away and have learned how to run a variety of classes and programs.”
When she completes her Certificate III in Fitness qualification, Elouise is planning on jumping straight into a Certificate IV in Fitness (SIS40221) program so she can take on private clients and establish her own business.
“The thing I like about the SBAT is that it is self-driven and you have to be motivated to do it,” she says.
“It’s an alternative education pathway and you still have the accomplishment of completing your HSC, but you graduate with a qualification you will be able to use immediately.”
A great opportunity
Mark Moses says he employs several SBAT students and the program has proven a great success.
“I like the fact it gives young people an opportunity. It’s great to have someone passionate about the industry and I’m proud of the fact we have people following in our footsteps,” he says.
“The SBAT gives them good grounding in both the profession and in fitness. It teaches them that a solid career in the industry just doesn’t happen, and they have to work their way up. Elouise has been a great asset to the team.”
Find out more about SBAT opportunities at UOW College.