Health & Fitness Instructor Training in Ireland

National Council for Exercise & Fitness, Limerick:
The National Council for Exercise & Fitness is an independent company limited by guarantee and operates on a not-for-profit basis, which provides comprehensive education and training for Exercise & Health Fitness Professional Instructors in Ireland. With a database of over 12,000, the NCEF is the largest and longest established provider of education and training for Exercise and Health Fitness Professionals in Ireland.

- Year 1: Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (CEHF) - (NFQ Level 6 & EQF Level 5)
- Year 2: Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) - (NFQ Level 6 Major & EQF Level 5)
- Year 3: Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF) - (NFQ Level 7 & EQF Level 6)
- Year 4: Bachelor of Science in Exercise & Health Fitness (B.Sc.) - (NFQ Level 8 & EQF Level 6)

Our mission is to…..To provide an outstanding educational experience, through courses of excellence, whilst meeting the practical and professional needs of the fitness instructor…….."

Locations:
Our courses can be provided by Industry or Educational based Certified Providers throughout Ireland. Training venues include:

- Munster: Limerick, Cork & Waterford
- Leinster: Carlow, Dublin, Dundalk, Kilkenny, Portlaoise
- Connaught: Galway

Health & Fitness Instructors who hold the CEHF qualification are educated & trained to provide instruction in exercise to music, step aerobics, circuit and resistance training. Equally important is their ability to assess fitness levels and to plan safe, effective and enjoyable exercise programmes for individuals or groups of all abilities. CEHF qualified instructors make a positive contribution to the health and well being of the Irish people by encouraging and motivating adults of all ages to pursue physically active lifestyles, to eat healthy food and to manage stress effectively.

The programme can be undertaken (depending on the location) as a part-time day course (e.g Tues/Wed) or part-time week end course (Fri eve, Sat) and this changes on a semester/annual basis. Certificates are awarded by the University of Limerick to candidates who have successfully completed an intensive programme of practical and theoretical studies.

1. The CEHF is a stand alone qualification and is awarded by the University of Limerick.

2. 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits

3. The CEHF is placed at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications  (NFQ) and Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework  (EQF).

4. The CEHF is audited and aligned to the European Industry standard, Exercise for Health Specialist (EQF Level 5).  Some other training providers offer EQF Level 4 standard of qualification, but the NCEF is the only complete stand alone fitness qualification in Ireland, accredited at EQF Level 5.

The Higher Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness (HCEHF) is a two year full time undergraduate course. The HCEHF forms year 1 & 2 of the B.Sc Degree in Exercise and Health Fitness.

Course Details

Year 2 provides our students with the opportunity for specialisation within the exercise and fitness industry in areas such as Personal Training, Strength & Conditioning for Teams, Pilates & Corrective Exercise or Active Aging for the Older Adult. Within Year 2 you will be required to earn 60ECTS credits within one academic year with a maximum requirement of 30ECTS.

For example if you decide that the courses you wish to complete are Strength and Conditioning for Sport, and Personal Training then you must start in the Autumn Semester (Sept to December) and finish by the end of the Spring Semester (January to April) e.g. Strength & Conditioning for Sport in Autumn and Personal Training in Spring.

Year 2 Modules on offer as part of the HCEHF Year 2 can vary each academic semester/year. The mode of delivery-contact, e-Learning, Blended Learning varies for each module within year 2.


1. The HCEHF is a stand alone qualification and is awarded by the University of Limerick. audited and aligned to the European Industry standard, Exercise for Health Specialist (EQF Level 5).  Some other training providers offer EQF Level 4 standard of qualification, but the NCEF is the only complete stand alone fitness qualification in Ireland, accredited at EQF Level 5.

2. 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are awarded in Year 1 & 60 in Year two of the NCEF course pathway, which brings the student’s ECTS total to 120 points.

3. The HCEHF is placed at Level 6 (Major) on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and Level 5 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

The DEHF is Year 3 of the B.Sc. and offers individuals the opportunity to research, study and practice at an advanced level in the area of Exercise & Health Fitness. Participants who are successful will be awarded the Diploma from the University of Limerick and are eligible to apply for entry onto Year 4 B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness.

The DEHF Year 3 has two module electives and students can choose either:

Module Elective 1 – Tutor Education provides fitness professionals with the skills, knowledge and competencies to carry out the functions of a tutor at Year 1 (CEHF) and Year 2 (Specialist Courses).

Module Elective  2 – Advanced Practitioner – work at higher specialised levels within the industry, as specialist instructors and/or in supervisory management positions.

Year 3 Details: Modules Electives 1 and 2 of the DEHF are offered every alternative academic year. The course is offered mainly at the University of Limerick campus and runs from September to April inclusive.

The 15/16 academic year the course will be offered on a day time basis at the University of Limerick 

Recongition:
1. The DEHF is a stand alone qualification and is awarded by the University of Limerick.

2. 60 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are awarded in this, year three of the NCEF course pathway, and brings the student’s ECTS total to 180 points.

T3. he DEHF is placed at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and Level 6 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

4. ECTS credits can be used towards the NCEF B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness through a flexible learning pathway and also towards other University qualifications in Europe who follow ECTS credit value system.

5. The NCEF is accredited  by and affiliated with the European Health Fitness Association (EHFA).

The B.Sc. offers individuals the opportunity to research, study and practice at an advanced level in the area of Exercise & Health Fitness.

Participants who are successful will be awarded the B.Sc. from the University of Limerick. Graduates of the B.Sc. are qualified to apply their knowledge, skills and competencies so as to provide direction, leadership and professional expertise at the highest management & promotional levels in the Exercise & Health Fitness sector.

Employment varies from areas such as business management, human resources, event management and marketing in Exercise & Health Fitness to public service areas such as health promotion, and researching /developing policy for diverse populations.

Course Details:
Elements of the B.Sc. year will include traditional classroom based learning, e–learning and blended learning including electronic support structures for collaborative interaction. Comprehensive teaching and learning materials have been developed for all modules. These materials include interactive resources for e-learning.

Those delivering on the course are drawn from the NCEF, the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences and the Kemmy Business School at UL. Guest Lecturers with relevant backgrounds will also present on the programme.

The course will span over three academic semesters in its final year, with 16 contact weekends and will be offered every alternate academic year subject to demand.

The B.Sc. will be offered on a day contact basis in the academic year 2016/2017