Qualifications and AccreditationWho are the courses recognised by?
Although we believe there should be, as mentioned there is no formal accreditation of training for the weight loss industry in Australia. We are working to obtain endorsement for the Certificate in Weight Management from various organisations that support education standards but this takes time and we cannot give a guarantee of accreditation or recognition.
What qualification will I receive after completing the courses?
We believe the SmartShape Certificate of Weight Management should offer the minimum qualification to work in the weight loss industry. We are working to establish this, however it will take time because the weight loss industry has no compulsory standards to abide by. We believe that anyone who sells slimming pills, potions, lotions, exercise programs or gadgets should have to complete a minimum level of training and gain a qualification for this. When you enrol in our training, you'll help promote these standards.
What certificate will I receive after completing the courses?
We provide a Certificate of Training for each course or for the full Certificate of Weight Management on completion of satisfactory assessment. We recommend that you display your Certificate to show your customers or employer.
Is this a Cert III or IV level?
Each course is accredited with Fitness Australia for Continuing Education Credits (CECs). Each course completed provides 15 CECs but it is not classified as a Certificate III or IV.
Can I get accredited with prior learning from another course?
No, we believe the unique course structure and information provided would not have been covered in other courses. You will learn very specific and targeted information about fat loss that is the most current and specific for the weight loss industry.
Can I use Smart Shape courses to show prior learning for another qualification e.g. Certificate III or IV in Fitness?
The Certificate delivers training that covers the list of competencies related to the nutrition and body composition in the Fitness Instructor (CertIII) and Personal Trainer (CertIV) qualifications of the National Training Package for the Fitness Industry. This means that you can apply for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) for the nutrition component of the above fitness qualifications should you choose to study with us before perusing a career in the fitness industry.
Will the Nutrition for Fat Loss course allow me to provide dietary advice?
Yes, we encourage you to share the healthy eating messages that you learn in this courses with your clients, friends and family. Students tell us that they feel more confident offering basic and practical, healthy dietary advice after learning with us. They become better at helping people improve their diet and feel greater rewards for doing so. For specific dietary advice for people who are not healthy or the prescription of diet plans, an Accredited Practising Dietitian or Registered Dietitian is the qualified health professional for this task. We recommend that you refer to a Dietitian in these circumstances.
Can I say I'm a `nutritionist' after doing the Nutrition for Fat Loss Course?
Unlike being a Dietitian, there is no regulation in Australia about who can and can't say they are a Nutritionist. Even so, we think you should have at least completed tertiary-level training in nutrition to use this term. This shouldn't stop you sharing healthy eating advice and our course will give you the know-how and confidence to do it. You may even be inspired to go on and study nutrition at university.
Will the Physical Activity for Fat Loss course qualify me to physically train clients?
If you are considering leading an exercise class or physically training a client, we do recommend that you obtain Fitness Industry qualifications as either a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer. You will also need to obtain your Senior First Aid Certificate. If however, you just want to encourage more people to be active with sound advice about exercise benefits, including when to refer to a Personal Trainer, this may be the course for you. For a relatively small investment the Physical Activity for Fat Loss course will allow you to get a taste of fitness and see whether you want to do further study.
Will the Physical Activity for Fat Loss course allow me to provide exercise advice?
Yes, we encourage you to share the practical physical activity messages that you learn in this courses with your clients, friends and family. The course is designed to give you the background understanding and skills to sell people on the idea of becoming and staying active. We want you to feel confident with your exercise advice for fat loss and health.
I'm a Personal Trainer do I need to attend all four courses?
You do have to attend all four courses as they are unique and cover new information in addition to that in your Certificate III and IV in fitness. You will learn about physical activity specifically targeted at fat loss in the areas of:
• The science of calorie burning
• Comparison of cardio and resistance
• Hormonal responses
• Physical Activity profiling
• Proven motivational strategies
I'm a Life/Health coach do I need to do all four courses?
Yes, The unique course structure and information provided would not have been covered in other courses. This is a specialist course for fat loss that will provide you the glue to put together all of your knowledge as a life coach to have an advantage in your knowledge and approach.
I've done Matt O'Neill's Two-Day Weight Loss Coaching Workshop. Do I need to do all courses to upgrade to the Certificate in Weight Management?
Yes, because the new Certificate in Weight Management provides an expanded education program and covers the technical competencies in the Weight Management Code of Practice. You should also consider attending all courses to hear from the high-caliber presenters, who will educate you using SmartShape's unique learning model for weight management.
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Career and Job OpportunitiesCan I use this to become a weight loss consultant?
Yes, many people say they gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to work in the weight loss industry. Note that we cannot qualify or accredit you though, as there is no scheme for the this in Australia.
I'm really interested in nutrition. How can I do more study?
Because you'd need to go to university to study to be a Nutritionist or Dietitian, we recommend our two-day Nutrition for Fat Loss Course as an excellent way to dip your tow in the topic, fast-track your knowledge and gain the skills to promote healthy eating. You'll learn from Matt O'Neill, an Accredited Practising Dietitian and one of Australia's leading nutrition educators. Matt will discuss nutrition career options in the course. We are also planning a second level nutrition course, so please subscribe and we'll keep you alerted about this.
How do I become a Nutritionist or Dietitian?
For more information about how to become a Dietitian in Australia, please visit the Dietitian's Association of Australia website section on Becoming a Dietitian. You'll also see a link http://www.daa.asn.au/find_a_dietitian/index.asp?pageID=2145835649|Find an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD)] section and search for a Dietitian you can refer clients to.
How is the weight loss industry regulated?
Despite calls over the years for regulation of the weight loss industry and recommendations for the establishment of mandatory minimum training standards, the industry has no such requirements. Currently, there are no formal regulation of the weight loss industry or training requirements. We aim to lead in the area of training to meet the highest standards.
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