Australian Institute of Fitness Partners With Indigenous Community; 12 First Nations Graduates Enter Fitness Industry

The Australian Institute of Fitness (“AIF”) is proud to announce the first cohort of First Nations fitness professionals to graduate from bespoke educational program, developed in partnership with NSW-based Indigenous community group, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services (“Yerin”).

AIF is proud to announce its first cohort of First Nations graduates who have begun their fitness careers after successfully completing the Master Trainer Program™. The program they completed is a bespoke Certificate IV in Fitness course developed for the Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Services (“Yerin”), a not-for-profit, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and only Aboriginal Medical Service on Central Coast, Darkinjung Country.

The course was delivered at Yerin’s new community centre in Wyong, with gym equipment organised and donated to the community by the AIF. All education and training were facilitated by AIF’s trainers and assessors for workers and members of the close-knit Yerin community group of First Nations people. With Yerin’s newly designed gym space, graduates have the opportunity to kickstart their careers close to home and community.

Brett Field – Yerin Wellbeing Support Worker and recent AIF graduate – notes, “At Yerin, we work tirelessly to continue the legacy of our founder Eleanor Duncan, striving for improved health outcomes for Aboriginal people. I have absolutely loved the learning and teachings over the duration of my study. The AIF truly helped me develop my skills in the health and fitness industry, gave me the confidence to teach others, train my fellow community members so they can achieve their health and fitness goals, and be a role model for the youth of our organisation.”

The Master Trainer Program™ involved face-to-face lectures, online self-paced study, group collaboration sessions and practical in-person workshops. Upon completion of the course, Yerin’s graduates are qualified to deliver group exercise sessions and one-on-one personal training. 

AIF offered the course to the community under a Smart and Skilled contract with the NSW Government, which helps people get training in in-demand skills and industries. A key part of the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) system, the Smart and Skilled program gives eligible students:

• an entitlement to government-subsidised training up to and including Certificate III
• government funding for higher-level courses (Certificate IV and above) in targeted priority areas. 

For further information on the Smart & Skilled program, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/vocational/funding

“Partnering with Yerin and Training Services NSW helped us support a regional Indigenous community group. This initiative was in perfect alignment with AIF’s mission and all parties involved. We see 12 graduates come out of the Yerin 1.0 [cohort] not only qualified but employed; this was our key success outcome – to create graduates who enter the industry equipped with skills for a successful career,” commented Simon Mcdonald, General Manager of Business Development and Partnerships at the AIF.

“We look forward to growing the program and supporting more Indigenous community groups with careers in fitness. We are grateful for Yerin’s trust in us and the education and training we offer.”

Following the success of its first program, AIF looks forward to supporting “Yerin 2.0”, the second cohort of First Nation students who begin their course in October, as well as Muloobinba, another Indigenous group introduced to the AIF by the team at Yerin. Muloobinba community members will also be completing the Certificate IV in Fitness, Master Trainer program™.

AIF is set to graduate many more First Nations students through similar partnerships over the coming years by continuing to support their ongoing education needs and provide clear employment pathways.

• Bio

AIF

The Australian Institute of Fitness

The Australian Institute of Fitness (AIF) is the largest and longest established fitness training organisation in Australia, with dynamic training methods and expert course coaches nationwide - spanning fitness, massage and nutrition. The AIF qualifies more fitness professionals than any other provider in Australia, as well as offering a broad range of continuing education courses (CEC), upskilling resources and partnership programs for existing industry.