New course brings career opportunities to the Highlands
An innovative course designed to create employment options for sports enthusiasts will soon be available in Inverness College UHI for the first time.
The HNC Soft Tissue Therapy course will begin in September 2017 at Inverness College UHI, and comes in response to increasing demand for the speciality skill in the north of Scotland.
Students will benefit from the teachings of lecturer, qualified physiotherapist Steven Sutherland, who has in the past lent his skills to the NHS, professional athletes and Highland League football clubs.
Steven will be supported by Inverness College UHI beauty lecturer Tracey Shand, who will deliver the clinical sports massage module throughout the year.
Steven said: “The new course will involve hands-on application, ensuring the students are best prepared to participate in sport, aid the performance of athletes and treat any injuries that might occur.
“It will be based around sports massage, exercise therapy and fitness testing, as well as the underpinning knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and common injuries and diseases.
“The demand for the skill has been steadily increasing over the past decade, and it’s great to bring the course to the Highlands and increase career opportunities for local people.”
Gill Berkeley, head of curriculum, Inverness College UHI, said: “It’s fantastic to be able to bring the HNC Soft Tissue Therapy to this area, where previously local people looking to get into this line of work were at a disadvantage.
“The course offers both practical and theoretical learning, appealing to a variety of different interests – from sports and exercise to beauty and complementary therapies – and is delivered by industry experts with combined decades of experience.
“As demand for soft tissue therapy increases, the course will also benefit local athletes and sports teams, who can receive support in the Highlands rather than travelling elsewhere.”
One such athlete benefitting from soft tissue therapy is 29 year old Inverness College UHI student, Iṅaki Fernanino Soto, who hopes to become a sports coach.
He said: “I’m really passionate about playing football, having played for a third division team in my native Spain and currently for Strathspey Thistle.
“Throughout my footballing career, I have received various physiotherapy sessions, mainly for muscular injuries. I’m currently receiving treatment on my shoulder and neck, and have undergone two deep tissue therapy massage sessions so far.
“My range of movement, which was restricted before, has already significantly improved.”
Those holding the HNC Soft Tissue Therapy certificate then have the opportunity to work as a massage therapist or progress to further study in the field of sports injuries, including at degree level.
Further information on the course can be found on the Soft Tissue Therapy course page.