Get the Qualifications You Need to Start Your Career as a Successful Fitness Instructor.
Become a certified Gym Instructor with an Internationally recognised, Industry standard qualifications from QQI and ITEC.
This 1 year PLC course is NFQ-accredited at Level 5 and is your first step towards a career in sports coaching or in the health and fitness industry.
During this PLC course, you will have an option to enrol on an industry standard qualification, awarded by ITEC. The ITEC Fitness Instructor Award is a much sought after qualification and, on completion, you will have the opportunity to go on and gain the ITEC Personal Trainer award at Inchicore College on our Personal Trainer level 6 course.
You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable sports coaching awards with the FAI and the GAA.
You will gain experience with the latest equipment and technology and you will be taught by highly qualified and experienced instructors.
You will spend four days a week in college, where the theory and practical elements of the course are covered while you will be also receiving extensive training in instruction techniques. On the fifth day, you will be based in an industry setting such as a gym or leisure centres for work experience.
Completing a full time, one year course such as this gives you the opportunity to gain the in-depth knowledge and experience that can give you the edge when you are getting started in your career and can set you up for increased potential for career advancement.
Inchicore College of Further Education is has been leading Sports and Fitness Education in Dublin for over 40 years and is part of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board.
This course costs just €50 for 24 weeks of full time instruction (September – May) and offers incredible value compared to what you will pay to private operators.
Turn your passion for Fitness into a career at Inchicore College.
Course Coordinator: Rachel Donlon
QQI subjects:
Additional Certification:
ITEC Fitness Instructor Award:
The ITEC Personal Trainer Award is completed in year 2 on the Level 6 course.
Course content may be revised for educational or organisational reasons.
QQI Sport, Recreation & Exercise 5M5146
Additional Certification:
ITEC Fitness Instructor Award:
(The ITEC Personal Trainer Award is completed on the Level 6 course.)
National Government Bodies Coaching Awards:
Minimum Entry Requirements
Leaving Certificate: O6/H7 in 5 subjects
or Leaving Certificate Applied
or QQI Level 4
Equivalent qualifications will be accepted
Mature Applicants
Mature applicants who have relevant industry experience and may not meet the above requirements are welcome to apply.
You may use the QQI level 5 Award and the ITEC Fitness Instructor award to start your career in the fitness and leisure industries. Successful graduates will be able to apply for jobs in Gyms, Leisure Centres, Hotel Fitness Centres, Sports Facilities in roles such Fitness Instructor, Gym Coach, class instructor, and a wide range of jobs within the wider sports and recreation areas.
Progression Opportunities
Continuing your training and progressing to higher qualifications will increase your potential for advancement in your career.
Successful graduates may progress to the Personal Trainer QQI Level 6 at Inchicore College which leads to the valuable ITEC Personal Trainer Award as well as QQI Level 6 Award in Sport, Recreation and Exercise.
Successful graduates may also progress to the BTEC Sports Science Diploma.
Graduates with the full QQI level 5 award can use their QQI results to apply for courses through the CAO. This is often of great benefit to students who did not get the points they needed in the Leaving Certificate. The QQI 5M5146 Sport, Recreation & Exercise major award leads to many CAO courses through the Higher Education Links Scheme including:
Our coaching awards in GAA and Soccer, along with our extensive work experience programme, will give you the confidence needed to succeed in this industry.
