Health/Wellness Therapist/Trainer, 2 years

This programme consists of 80 weeks of study, of which 25 comprise learning in the workplace (abbreviated to LIA in Swedish). During the other weeks, teaching takes place at Broby Grafiska’s premises in Sunne. We also collaborate with Selma Spa⁺ and use their facilities. The programme is run by Yrkeshögskola Wermland.

Broad vocational training

The programme spans a broad field of knowledge, which gives you a great amount of choice in your professional role. After completing the programme you will be attractive in both the Swedish and the international labour market.

The programme will give you a qualification as a combined Therapist and Trainer, which is in demand and welcomed by the industry.

The management group of the programme includes representatives from some of Sweden’s centres for health optimisation, spas and health facilities, Sunne Municipality and Karlstad University.

Experience what you learn

The starting point of the programme is experience-based and process-based learning. The working method has a therapeutic, relational and process-oriented perspective. The idea is to inspire and guide you as a student to develop as a person and increase your own health awareness, which is the foundation for you to
be able to lead and inspire others in a professional way as a therapist. We base our efforts on these four cornerstones: mental training, physical training, treatment, and nutrition.

The goal is for you to be able to look at health and health optimisation from a holistic perspective. You will also have nowledge about individual and group dynamic processes, and you will have developed your personal leadership skills towards your future profession.

What does the training programme lead to?

As a Health/Wellness Therapist/Trainer you can work with future development and optimisation of health at spas and health centres, as well as in the corporate wellness field, schools, and municipal and county councils. As an employee or business owner, alone or together with others, you can plan and lead individuals and groups in all fields of the profession, focusing on health optimisation, stress management/reduction and rehabilitation. These are just a few examples – your interests will determine in which area you want to work.

Certified Masseur

The school is certified through the Swedish Massage Advisory Council. After completing and passing the body massage course with distinction as well as passing the national examination, you can become a certified Masseur through the Swedish Massage Advisory Council, which is proof of professional skills and a professional approach. For more information about the Swedish Massage Advisory Council and its certification, please go to: www.svenskmassage.se.

After completing and passing the tactile massage course you will also receive a diploma stating that you are a qualified Tactile Massage Therapist.

Is there an opportunity for part-time work?

The Spa & Hälsa industry organisation

Spa & Hälsa, with its 60 or so member companies, is based at Solbacka Academy/Yrkeshögskola Wermland. Read more (in Swedish) about Spa & Hälsa on: www.spaochhalsa.se.

The Solbacka Academy vision

Sunne Municipality aims to realise ideas of creating a new school and competence centre focusing on health, leadership and entrepreneurship – Solbacka Academy.

The plan is that Solbacka Akademi will run three types of study programmes: upper secondary programmes, advanced vocational education and training (AVET) programmes and specially designed courses. The AVET Health/Wellness Therapist/Trainer Programme is currently run by Yrkeshögskola Wermland, but will be organised by Solbacka Academyi in the future.

Graduation from the programme

When you have completed your 80 AVET credits, obtaining at least a Pass in all courses, you will receive a certificate and diploma. You also receive a certificate issued by the Spa & Hälsa industry organisation. This certificate guarantees that industry quality requirements have been fulfilled from the perspective of employers and employees. If you lack the required number of credits for a full qualification you will receive a course certificate instead.

Eligibility and selection

The fundamental requirement is basic eligibility for higher education. Applicants can apply for an exemption from the admission requirements. Selection is based partly on your grades plus a personal letter in which you describe yourself and your goals in taking the programme. After the first round of selection, interviews will take place in Sunne.
The application form can be downloaded from our website: www.brobygrafiska.se.

Personal letter

Enclose a personal letter (max. 2 A4 pages) in which you state the following details (see below). This letter will be significant in the selection process. What you write may be the deciding factor if you and other students have the same level of other qualifications.

1. Write a short presentation of yourself: (current occupation, education, background)
2. Describe why you want to take the course.
3. What is your main area of interest linked to the study programme and working life?
4. What experience do you have of personal development/therapy/treatments?
5. What expectations do you have of the study programme?

Final application date and course start date

The application must be postmarked by 15 April 2009. The programme starts on 31 August 2009.