National Council for Exercise and Fitness 2008

Once education and training is completed at certificate level employment opportunities include leisure centres, gyms and fitness clubs, some of which are hotel based or in community facilities. Many NCEF Exercise & Health Fitness professionals are owners/operators of their own facilities.

Freelance employment is often an option with opportunities to operate as an NCEF professional instructor and physical activity advisor to local groups, sports teams and corporate fitness/wellness programmes.

Once training is completed employment opportunities include gyms and fitness clubs, some of which are hotel based or in community facilities. Many NCEF exercise & health fitness professionals are owner /operators of their own facilities.

Freelance employment is often an option with opportunities to operate as an NCEF instructor and advisor to local groups, sports teams and corporate fitness/wellness programmes.

NCEF students complete a module of work experience which often leads to employment following qualification. NCEF Instructors have also secured employment in the UK, Europe, Australia and in the U.S.

Employment potential for those who complete Specialist Modules is dependent upon the area of specialisation. Personal Trainers usually gain employment on a free lance basis and/or in conjunction with business arrangements with Health/Fitness facilities. Employment for Team Sports Fitness Trainers is mainly with sports teams at club, county, provincial and international levels. Many GAA teams, from club level upwards now employ Team Sports Fitness Trainers. In the case of those who take the HRA Childrens module, these specialist instructors often plan and lead physical activity sessions for children aged 4 - 12 years in Leisure Centres and in community environments, such as After- School Centres and Summer Camps. The Fit For Life-Lifestyle Management Specialist usually works in community based (local community centres,VEC Adult Learning) private (e.g. Fitness Gyms, Leisure Centres etc) and workplace (corporate bodies/companies) settings as does the Older Adult Specialist with additional opportunities to work in Retirement Homes and with Active Retirement groups. Aqua Specialists work in Fitness/Leisure Centre settings which have appropriate water facilities and those who specialize in Facility Operations often gain employment in supervisory management positions within the industry.