Inspiring 16-19 year olds to develop their fitness, achieve qualifications and skills for future employment.

GET IN THE GAME

The MPCT Fitness Academy has been delivering sports, exercise and fitness courses for a number of years in Wales.

The Fitness Academy is designed for 16-19-year-olds who wish to gain qualifications and experiences to pursue a career in the sports and active leisure industry. We offer Level 1 and 2 qualifications which we believe will help further develop our students’ employability skills.

That means – get on board, get fit, get skills and qualifications, get employed and Get In The Game! You will have access to a huge range of events and activities, including presentations, training and mentoring from professional sportsmen and women and industry experts.

Health and Wellbeing

At the Fitness Academy, we pride ourselves on the inspirational relationships our
instructors and coaches have with their students. Unlike other colleges who will pass their students around from tutor to tutor, at the Fitness Academy students have a dedicated Instructor for the whole of the course – theory and practical. This means that we develop, nurture and provide time and space for these positive relationships to evolve. All of our instructors have experience and knowledge in supporting people with leading a healthy lifestyle. They will be able to support your goals and give you advice to ensure that you fuel your body correctly for maximum performance.

• FREE use of fitness facilities
• FREE breakfast club
• Qualified nutrition and exercise advice and guidance
• A variety of daily activities to promote wellness
• Personal, social and health education
• Energiser activities to promote social development

Physical Training

Every day of the course includes 50% practical sessions – this means you are training, taking part in sports, going to the gym, working on resistance and cardio, developing your coaching skills and getting fitter and fitter all the time. One of the great things about the physical training is that you have access to FREE training facilities and gyms on a daily basis!

• Wide range of sports facilities
• Termly inter-centre competition
• Sports specific fitness assessments to track progress
• Daily physical training sessions
• Variety of sports for all abilities
• Bespoke training plan to support your training goals

Inspired Curriculum

The Fitness Academy has recently designed its own bespoke curriculum to ensure we are providing our students with the qualifications, skills and experiences that meet the needs of the Sport and Active Leisure industry. Students are now challenged to work towards higher level qualifications that can open the doors to work-placements and employment. The differentiated curriculum ensures that learners individual needs are met while providing them with quality teaching and learning. Our digital learning environment also means that learning can take place anytime and anywhere, providing excellent flexibility to meet your learning needs.

• Latest IT facilities available within the centre
• Sports and fitness themed lessons
• Hands on approach to learning
• Work with like minded people
• Gain Industry recognised qualifications

Vocational Training

During these sessions our students at the Fitness Academy start moving from being dependent on their instructor, to independent. On a daily basis, the students practice their instructing, coaching and leadership skills. The sessions are interactive in order to learn and progress in a positive, safe environment. This is an opportunity for instructors to stretch and challenge individuals. From these sessions, students are identified as being ready for work placement.

• Educational visits
• Develop gym instructing skills
• Develop coaching and leadership skills
• Visits from industry specialists
• Work alongside employers and organisations contributing to community projects
• Access to professional exercise and fitness instructor qualifications

Work Placements

Work placements are an opportunity for our students to gain on the job experience. This is a chance to learn from experienced professionals and be mentored, while honing the skills they have developed in the Fitness Academy. It is important for our young people to get into the habit of following a work schedule or shift pattern and answer to a boss as they take a step towards employment. Work placements offer a great opportunity for our young people to make a positive impression on employers.

• Employment awareness portfolio
• Work alongside experienced industry professionals
• Complete a CV
• Develop public speaking and confidence
• Gain experience in your chosen field of work
  Develop on the job skills

New Curriculum

Over at our sports section we are looking to enhance our learning knowledge by undertaking a new curriculum. The new curriculum is called BTEC level 1 introductory in Sport. The qualification embodies a flexible, learner-based approach to aid development of fundamental skills. These skills are key to help progression into further study and ultimately, work within the sports sector. The main titles to the qualifications that we will be covering are:

• Being organised
• Developing a personal progression plan
• How exercise effects the body
• Training for fitness
• Playing sport
• Researching a topic
• Working with others
• Contributing to running a sports event
• Getting people active
  Keeping active and healthy

Why are BTECs so successful?

BTEC’S embody a fundamental learner centre approached, with a flexible unit-based structure. In this new BTEC it will focus on the development of both transferable sector skills. The development of these key skills help progression whether that be other BTEC qualifications, further study, apprenticeships or employment. BTEC qualifications work with the learners to ensure all their needs are met. Learners develop key progressions skills such as problem solving, communication and research.

CPD opportunities

Here at MPCT, we strive to give our learners the most opportunities and experience as possible. Alongside our YMCA level 2 gym instructor qualification, we offer 3 CPD qualifications to our learners who we think can achieve these. The CPD qualifications are Level 2 award in kettlebell, Level 2 award in spin instructing and level 2 award in suspended movement training, also known as TRX. These 3 qualifications are industry recognised by employers, gaining these extra qualifications make our learners stand out from the rest when it comes to applying for jobs and careers in the health and fitness industry.

Vocational Training Days

One day a week we have a vocational training day, encouraging learner progression and development. On a vocational training day, the instructor takes a step back from instructing and allows the learners to plan and lead sessions. Giving the learners this power allows them to work on there wider key skills such as problem solving, communication, teamwork and confidence building.

Level 2 Industry Recognised Qualifications

The Level 2 qualifications are FREE for students who complete the Level 1 course with a dedicated,
professional and proactive approach to their study. The Level 2 courses are perfect for those who are
committed to pursuing a career in the active leisure industry as a fitness/gym instructor or sports coach.

• Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
• Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Coaching Sport
• Level 2 Award in Instructing Group Indoor Cycling
• Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebell Training
• Level 2 Award in Instructing Circuit Training Sessions
• Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training