Fitness Certification Options in Ireland

For those hoping to pursue fitness related career options in Ireland there are a number of different certification options to consider. With qualifications in many aspects of fitness instruction and personal training from entry level upwards, there are many ways to enter and progress in the fitness industry.

Let’s take a look at some of the main certification options you will come across in reference to qualifications, frameworks, registers and awarding bodies. In this article we are going to look at ITEC, EQF, REPS Ireland, NCEF, QQI (levels 5 & 6) and CAO.

ITEC – International Therapy Examination Council

ITEC has had a presence as an examination board in Ireland for sports, fitness and complementary therapies qualifications for over 45 years. It is a government regulated awarding body.
ITEC qualifications are referenced to the EU Qualifications Framework (EQF), every ITEC qualification holder is entitled to a Europass Certificate.
In 2016, ITEC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTC) and ITEC now contributes to the charitable objects of the organisation.
For the last 20 years, the ITEC Worldwide Examination Team has mainly consisted of Irish examiners who assure the quality of ITEC qualifications globally.

EQF – European Qualification framework

This is an 8-level framework for all kinds of qualifications, also acting as a translation tool between different national and qualification frameworks.
It sets the various knowledge and capacities that people need to have attained at each of the eight levels.

REPS Ireland – Register of Exercise Professionals

It accepts fitness professionals onto its professional register according to a number of key criteria:

• Professionals who achieve qualifications and awards that meet industry standards.
• Professionals who are Independently Quality Assured.
• Professionals that maintain professional standing by ongoing Professional Development.

Being a member of a professional register such as REPs can enhance your employability as potential employers can easily ascertain that you are fulfilling all the highest requirements of a qualified fitness individual.

Currently the categories that are available on the register are:

• Fitness Instructor (EQF L3)
• Group Fitness Instructor (EQF L3)
• Personal Trainer (EQF L4/)
• Pilates Trainer (EQF L4/)
• Exercise for Health Specialist (EQF L4)

NCEF – National Council for Exercise and Fitness

This is the only Health Fitness Instructor qualification in Ireland that is accredited by a university.
Commensurate with the levels of 6 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications and also on the same level as 5 and 6 on the European Qualification Framework Certificate, Higher Certificate, Diploma & Degree qualifications are awarded and accredited by the University of Limerick.

QQI – Quality and Qualifications Ireland

QQI is responsible for developing, promoting and maintaining the NFQ, the Irish National Framework of Qualifications which is a 10-level, national entity through which all learning achievements may be measured and related to each other. The Irish NFQ describes qualifications and sets out what each qualification means according to the knowledge and abilities attained by its graduates, It also sets out how to get from one NFQ level to the next.
QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) is an independent State agency which developes, promotes and maintains the Irish NFQ.
QQI then is an awarding body.
In order for learners to obtain a qualification, certain conditions must to be met:

1. Provider’s programme must be validated by QQI
2. Provider must assess learners in a just and consistent way.
3. Students must achieve a pass or higher in their assessments.

Learners who complete a major QQI award at Level 6 are eligible to make an application through the CAO system for entry into participating courses using the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS). A limited number of places are available and applicants are ranked consistent with results achieved in their QQI major award.
Graduates proceed to secure employment within the sports and leisure industry across a variety of organisations in both the general public and personal sectors, including gyms, health clubs, leisure centres, hotels, swimming pools and cruise ships.
Qualifications can also be sought at third level universities through the CAO points system for degree courses in Sports Science offered through third level institutions like UL (University of Limerick, ATU (Atlantic Technological University), DCU (Dublin City University) and UCC (University College Cork).

For more fitness course options, check out Fitness and Health Courses on Findacourse.ie