2. European Industry Standards

 

The NCEF received accreditation 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.  The EHFA Standards are aligned to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) to clearly identify the knowledge, skills and competencies required for fitness instructing occupations.  

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In Spring 2014 the NCEF completed the mapping of the CEHF & HCEHF to European industry standards Exercise for Health Specialist,  EQF Level 5.  

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EHFA standards commenced mapping the Fitness Industry minimum standard with individual training providers throughout Europe. They began by aligning industry standards to academic Qualification structures agreeing what the jobs and skills were required for today and also looking to the future. Qualifications for fitness occupations as implemented by the EHFA standards looked at the specific job requirements.

 

The first level to be mapped in 2005 by EHFA was Level 3 EQF, followed by Level 4 EQF and then in 2012 EQF Level 5 Exercise for Health Specialist The NCEF through Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) completed the industry mapping process facilitated by REPS Ireland who are operating a register of fitness professionals and in tandem developing and maintaining a list of approved industry providers of education and training in the fitness industry in Ireland. This has resulted in the NCEF becoming the first and only organisation in Ireland offering training and qualification for graduates meeting both the academic NFQ & EQF and the European Industry Standards- Exercise for Health Specialist, EQF Level 5.