The Southern Institute of Technology (SIT) will see its first personal training students graduate next month, having completed a 36-week course.
Twelve students from SIT's Queenstown campus have spent the year studying on campus and working with clients at Alpine Health and Fitness.
The programme aimed to produce graduates who understood and were able to apply the key components of exercise and fitness and demonstrate knowledge of national and local needs in fitness and health.
Alpine Health and Fitness manager Richie Heap said students learnt to work professionally with clients.
"Showing sensitivity to their individual needs and working with people in the gym was an integral part of their training.
"We loved having the students working in the gym.
"They worked hard with their tutors and spent many hours putting it all into practice with their 'more-than-happy-to-oblige' customers, who the students worked with free of charge under the supervision of their tutors."
The students would graduate with a strong scientific understanding of fitness, be able to apply the knowledge and manage themselves within the fitness industry and have a good awareness of the issues involved in managing people and facilities, Mr Heap said.
Alpine Health and Fitness had employed one student and several other graduates would continue to gain work experience within the facility after graduation.
Alpine Health and Fitness is a financially independent department of Lakes Leisure Ltd and receives no ratepayer funding.
