Sixteen students at IT Sligo are putting staff through their paces as they implement a twelve week tailored personal training service to a group of staff members. The third year Recreation and Leisure and the 4th year BBS Add-On Leisure students, are undertaking this work as part of qualifying as a European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA) recognised Personal Trainer. This extra qualification enables students to work anywhere in the EU and be recognised as Level 4 personal trainers.
Health and Exercise Physiology lecturer Shirley McKenna commented: ‘This is a new module on the Recreation and Leisure programme and will give graduates another tangible skill on competing their studies at IT Sligo. Already, many successful graduates have received accreditation for basic gym instructor, and exercise to music from the European Heath & Fitness Association (EHFA) accreditation body. These graduates are amongst the first in Ireland to be named on REPs Ireland, the national register of exercise professionals. REPs Ireland enables employers to run a ‘qualifications check’ to ensure prospective instructors meet agreed fitness industry standards. These are excellent add-ons to their primary qualification, and are run as part of the programme. Most employers in the health and leisure industry require employees to have these qualifications, which can be costly to acquire privately.’
The one to one programme will see students work with staff on a one to one basis twice a week until May. Two staff members, Yvonne Roache, Health and Safety Officer and Janette Gillen, Manager of the Innovation Centre have agreed let the public know how they are getting during the programme – so watch this space!
IT Sligo Recreation and Leisure and the 4th year BBS Add-On Leisure students with staff members participating in twelve week personal training programme at IT Sligo.
For further information contact:
Shirley McKenna MSc.
Lecturer in Health & Exercise Physiology School of Business & Humanities
IT Sligo
T: 071-9155290
E: mckenna.shirley@nullitsligo.ie