First of all let us congratulate you on your decision to helping others lead a healthier and more active way of living. No doubt by now you have consulted with several training providers, and reviewed all of their websites in order to find the best course and deal for you.
With so many training providers, courses and qualifications, it is easy to see why people looking to join the fitness industry find it difficult to make a decision. Selecting a training provider is not a decision that should be taken lightly as there are so many variables to consider, including:
- the cost
- training locations and available dates
- delivery method
- qualification*
- support systems
- customer service
- quality of the learning materials
- types of learning materials
- online or paper-based
- employment opportunities upon completion
*avoid courses which are only accredited through REPs as these are unlikely to be qualifications
In the current economical climate, nobody could blame you for deliberating the likelihood of employment once you become qualified. No provider can guarantee you a job when you finish your training, largely because there aren’t anywhere near the vacancies in the fitness profession to accommodate the tens of thousands of people qualifying each year.
Unfortunately however, there are quite a few training providers now who are promoting ‘guaranteed interviews’ for all graduates of their programmes in order to secure your business. We say “unfortunately” here because this practice is a somewhat misleading and in our professional opinion, is incredibly unethical! In most cases these interviews are for self-employed positions, in which you, the newly qualified and inexperienced fitness professional is required to pay a rent to the club or agent in order to work. The harsh reality is that in most cases, the employers for whom these guaranteed interviews are offered, would gladly consider any qualified fitness professional for interview and appointment because they represent a source of income to the club/provider.
Before entrusting your training business to any provider boasting guaranteed interviews and/or deferred tuition fees, be sure to establish:
- the interest applied to the deferred fees- often this can be as high as 39% APR
- the assurance and collateral that is needed for the deferred tuition fees- often these fees are secured on a home
- the employers with whom the guaranteed interviews are available
- the terms of employment for the guaranteed interviews and are you required to pay rent to work there?
- when the interviews and/or careers days will take place- ensure that they are not timetabled during your course where you should be receiving training
If you have any further questions or concerns about guaranteed interviews, feel free to get in touch with any of our sales representatives.
While we would love to be entrusted with your fitness industry education as you embark on your new career as a fitness professional, what is more important to us is that we conduct our business activities in as ethical and transparent way as possible.
