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Recognition within Ireland

The National Council for Exercise & Fitness is an academic affiliate of the University of Limerick (UL) offering the only university accredited Health Fitness Instructor qualification in Ireland. Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness and Diploma  in Exercise and Health Fitness qualifications are awarded at Levels 6 & 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) was launched in Ireland in 2003. It is now the single structure mechanism for recognising all education and training in Ireland. The NFQ is a system of ten levels and is used to describe the Irish qualifications system.

A key element of the NFQ is to improve access (entry) to education and training, transfer within and between education and training and progression within and between education and training

International Recognition  

The National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is significant for learners, providers and employers in this international context as qualifications (awards) in the NFQ are recognised in Ireland and abroad.

In 2005 EU ministers adopted a Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area know as the Bologna process. The three main rationales behind the framework was to ensure International transparency of qualifications, International recognition of qualifications and International mobility of learners and graduates.

In November 2006, Ireland became the first European country to verify the compatibility of its National Framework of Qualifications with the Bologna Framework. The NFQ was referenced to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) in June 2009. This means that qualifications in the NFQ can be looked at to decide how they compare to those of other countries. Qualifications in the NFQ are thus more widely recognised and easily understood abroad.

The NCEF Certificate (CEHF) and Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness (DEHF) qualifications are awarded at Levels 5 & 6 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

NCEF received accredited by the European Health Fitness Association (EHFA)in October 2009. EHFA is the EU approved industry standards setting body for the European health and fitness sector. NCEF qualifications are therefore aligned to the following EHFA standards:

• Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness (CEHF) is aligned to EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor and EQF Level 3 Group Fitness Instructor
• The Personal Training module of the Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness (DEHF) is aligned to EQF Level 4 Personal Trainer.

NCEF Recognition