and Bodywork Therapy

15 - 16 Saint Joseph's Parade, Dorset Street, Dublin 7
tel. 01 882 7777 fax. 01 830 8757
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The National Training Centre exists to provide education and training in the areas of complementary medical healthcare and health related fitness which lead to industry recognised national qualifications.
The National Training Centre (NTC) comprises five schools and colleges. The National College of Exercise and Health Studies (NCEHS) provides training in the area of health related fitness. The National School of Sports Massage (NSSM) provides training in the area of orthopaedic sports massage. The College of Complementary Medical Education (CCME) provides training in the areas of neuromuscular and physical therapy. The Pilates Institute (Ireland) provides training in the area of pilates. The Irish College of Osteopathic Medicine which provides training in the area of osteopathic medicine.
NTC is the accepted authority in these areas in Ireland and we work with world authorities to bring the very latest educational experiences to our students.
Our organisation is 100% student focused and our custom built facilities recognise our commitment to enhancing student's learning experiences and outcomes.
The objects for which the Association is established are to protect and enhance the rights and privileges of those practicing physical therapies including, but not limited to, neuromuscular therapy, physical therapy and sports massage; to promote honourable practice; to repress malpractice; to settle disputed points of practice; to decide questions of professional usage of courtesy; and to establish a register of members.
When getting exercise instruction, using the services of a REPS Ireland Registered Exercise Professional has many benefits.
Most importantly, REPS Ireland is the independent verification that the exercise professional is suitable to give advice to or to instruct in a gym or a group exercise/aerobics class when they hold the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training.
Like most professional registration bodies, individuals registered with REPS Ireland agree to follow the industry Code of Ethical Practice
REPS Ireland also operates a complaints system for any person that wishes to complain about a registered trainer or instructor. Only persons who are deemed as suitable by REPS Ireland are able to continue to annually re-register, giving you confidence when dealing with a REPS Ireland registered trainer or instructor.
NTC - See Who You Can Be !
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is the only complete fitness instructor and personal training qualification in Ireland which demonstrates, through its accreditation by the European Health and Fitness Association, that it meets the minimum standard as agreed by the fitness industry in ireland and throughout Europe. Successful completion will offer graduates the opportunity to prescribe safe and effective exercise to the general public in either group fitness situations or on an individual one-to-one personal training basis.The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is open to anybody with a strong interest in exercise and health fitness and the desire to pass their enthusiasm on to the general public as part of their day-to-day working routine as either a full time or part time health fitness instructor.
The course content includes anatomy and physiology, exercise to music, resistance training, diet and sports nutrition, first aid, injury prevention and other areas of interest. The content is delivered to facilitate adult learners of mixed ability.
You can enroll online by selecting the course and payment option which best suits your requirements on the right hand side of this page.
Alternatively you can contact us by telephone on 01 882 7777 (Dublin) or 021 430 1222 (Cork).
You may also download an enrollment form by clicking the 'Brochure' button above and send completed forms to: National Training Centre, 15- 16 St. Joseph's Parade, Dorset Street, Dublin 7. You may also contact us at anytime to discuss any queries you have or to arrange an appointment to visit our facilities.
All National College of Exercise and Health Studies tutors are expert in their chosen field with some having represented Ireland at international level in health fitness competition.
All senior tutors have many years of experience working in the health fitness profession and, having obtained a H. Dip. in Education have learned the skills required to deliver complex information to learners of mixed ability.
All tutors have dedicated areas of speciality to enhance the learning experience for NCEHS students.
NCEHS graduates have a responsibility to ensure that the exercise prescription which they offer the public is current, safe and effective. In order to achieve this goal and to be eligible for continuing membership of REPS Ireland, the independent register for exercise professionals in Ireland, graduates must participate in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) which ensures that they are always operating within 'best practice' standards.
CPD can be achieved through attendance at health fitness conventions and conferences or through the participation in advanced educational programmes which bring graduates up to date with changes.
The certificates awarded on qualification are valid for life and do not have an expiry date. As the programme is fully accredited by the European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) - www.ehfa.eu - graduates are entitled to register with REPS Ireland - www.repsireland.ie - which gives them international recognition with affiliation to the International Confederation of registers of Exercise Professionals (ICREPS) - www.icreps.org
The cost of obtaining the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is €2,150.00 (€1,995.00 in Cork for February 2011). Fees can be paid by means of a deposit of €500.00 followed by a final payment of €1,650.00 (€1,495.00 in Cork for February 2011) on or before the course start date in Dublin and by the Friday preceding the course start date in Cork.
A discount of €150.00 (€145.00 in Cork for February 2011) is available to individuals who book their place and pay course fees of €2,000.00 (€1,850.00 in Cork for February 2011) in full at least one calendar month prior to the course start date. Places on this programme are available on a first come first served basis.
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training covers all relevant areas including:
Do I need to hold any other qualification in order to participate on this programme ?
No. The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is open to all individuals.
What will I be qualified to do when I complete this course successfully ?
On successful completion you will be a fully qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Some other qualifications require that graduates complete an additional course of study to qualify as a personal trainer. The standard of examination given by the NTC ensures that any individual who achieves the minimum pass mark is qualified to offer safe and effective exercise prescription to all, whether individually or in a group.
Will I be able to get a job in a fitness centre or health club?
Yes. The National Training Centre operates Instructor Link which is a service that matches graduates with available positions in the fitness industry. All graduates can contact the NTC at any time post graduation to enquire about availability of jobs in their specific location. For impartial advice in relation to job availability, the NTC recommend that you select fitness centres and health clubs at random from a telephone directory and call them to enquire about job availability and qualification requirements. We are absolutely confident that 100% of them will welcome NTC graduates.
Are there many jobs available in the fitness profession in Ireland at present.
The health fitness industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Ireland. As a result there is excellent job availability with many more jobs due to come online in the medium term. You can independently verify the availability of jobs by contacting fitness centres and health clubs chosen at random from the telephone directory or Golden Pages. Graduates may also operate in a self-employed capacity which can increase their earning potential.
How much can I earn as a fitness instructor ?
The starting pay rate for fitness instructors ranges between €10.00 and €12.50 per hour. Instructors may also generate additional income through specialist areas of qualification such as Spin Cycling, Stability Ball, Pilates etc. whereby employers may enter into a separate arrangement for payment for additional classes. Individuals who choose to follow a career in Personal Training can earn an average of €50.00 per hour. Personal Trainers success will be dependent on the results they achieve for their clients and it will be a benefit to have an extrovert personality. Graduates can also operate as sole traders by offering fitness classes in parish halls, community centres etc. Again success will be based on the instructor's personality and motivational skills plus results achieved. It is not unusual for instructors working in this sector to turnover in excess of €1,000.00 per week for part-time evening work.
Will I need to get insurance ?
The National Training Centre's code of ethics insists that all NTC graduates who are actively working in the profession, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers the instructor against legal action taken by a client as a result of an injury which was received when following instruction. Instructors who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance if such cover is not held by the owners of the premises.
Is this qualification accepted internationally ?
Yes. The National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies and Personal Training is the only complete course available in Ireland which is fully accredited by the European Health Fitness Association which allows for international recognition. We have graduates working in many countries worldwide.
How long does this course last ?
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is an eighteen week programme of education. Final examination usually commences during week eighteen and may continue into week nineteen or twenty depending on exam scheduling. The weeks of attendance are generally consecutive but sometimes break for bank holidays and Christmas etc. Classes do not break for summer or Easter.
Do I have to participate in work experience ?
Work experience is not compulsory on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training. Students who do wish to participate in work experience are actively encouraged and supported administratively as much as possible.
Can I move between day and evening courses and between venues ?
No. As the structuring of tutorial schedules sometimes contains differences between day and evening courses it is not possible to interchange. The exact same content is covered on both programmes although, not necessarily on the same days. Additionally, as courses are frequently oversubscribed there may not be space available to offer the opportunity to interchange. If a student enrolled on any course discovers that their circumstances have changed and it would be more suitable to move from day to evening or visa versa, this may be allowed by the Educational Committee of the National Training Centre if there is space available. Application must be made in writing to the Educational Committee and they will give an official written response. It may, subject to availability, be possible to move between courses in Dublin and Cork.
Where is this course available ?
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is available at the National Training Centre in Dublin and the Mardyke Arena, University College Cork.
How will I be assessed ?
Students of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training are assessed through both written and practical examination at the end of each course. Students must also complete and submit a Learner Workbook throughout the course. Students cannot gradaute without successfully completing all written and practical exams and having submitted, in full , their Learner Workbook.
What age group participate on this course ?
Students of all ages participate on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training. The average age of students is mid twenties and each course will be made up of a mix of male and female students. Occasionally there will be a student between seventeen and eighteen years old. Students in this category must have written guardian approval and a parent or guardian must also attend for interview with the student.
What is the success rate ?
85% - to 90% of students participating on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Of the remainder most will need to repeat one exam with a small number having to repeat more than one exam. Every individuals ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.
Can I pay by installments ?
No - there is no installment payment option available for this programme.
Are there grants available to cover tuition fees ?
The National Training Centre is a FÁS approved training provider. National Training Centre’s approved Training Programmes and Trainers have been placed on the FÁS/EI National Register of Trainers. The registration number of National Training Centre is 903336. Many of our students receive funding for part or all of their course fees through FÁS, the Department of Social Protection, Skillnets and local Employment and Development projects. Individual students must contact their local office to enquire about eligibility.
How much of the course is practical and how much is theory ?
Theory subjects of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training take up approximately half of the tutorial hours. The remainder of tutorial hours are taken up with practical subjects. Theory subjects include Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition etc. while practical subjects include Resistance Training and Exercise to Music.