PLSS Code 475505 | Fee Free

The Sports and Recreation Traineeship is for someone who wants to work in a leisure centre environment, supervise swimming pools, promote community participation in sport, and potentially progress into employment with Dublin City Council leisure services.

The Dublin City Council Sports and Recreation Traineeship is a unique partnership between Dublin City Council and FET College Íde Finglas, providing learners with the qualifications, practical experience, and professional skills required for careers in the sport, fitness, recreation, and leisure industries.

This innovative traineeship combines classroom-based learning with structured workplace experience. Learners attend FET College Íde Finglas for three days each week and complete two days of workplace training within a Dublin City Council Sports and Fitness Centre. The strong partnership with Dublin City Council allows learners to gain valuable experience in real leisure and recreation settings while building connections within the sector and enhancing future employment opportunities.

Training is delivered by an experienced sports department with over 40 years of expertise in sports education and coaching. Learners have access to exceptional facilities, including two fully equipped gyms with modern strength and conditioning equipment, an aerobic studio, a sports hall, and specialist training areas. These industry-standard facilities provide an ideal environment for developing practical skills in fitness instruction, recreation, community sports, and leisure operations.

The programme offers a range of sought-after qualifications, including the National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, ITEC Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instruction, ITEC Level 2 Award in Strength and Conditioning, QQI Level 5 Component Certification, First Aid Responder, and Water Safety Pool Lifeguard Certification. These qualifications provide learners with excellent opportunities for employment across the leisure, fitness, recreation, and aquatic sectors.

A key feature of the traineeship is its close collaboration with Dublin City Council leisure and community services. Learners gain practical experience in sports and fitness centres and become involved in community-based recreation, health, and wellbeing initiatives. This provides valuable exposure to a wide range of customer groups and supports the development of practical workplace skills in a professional environment.

Entry to the programme requires applicants to be competent swimmers and able to swim 50 metres front crawl, 50 metres breaststroke, and demonstrate confidence in deep water.

The programme commences in September and is provided at no cost to eligible participants. Trainees may retain most types of social welfare payments while participating in the programme, and all tuition fees, books, examinations, and course materials are fully funded.

FET College Íde Finglas is committed to supporting learners throughout their educational journey. Dedicated learning support is available for those returning to education, ensuring all participants can achieve their personal and professional goals in a supportive learning environment.

Applications are welcomed from jobseekers and mature learners who are interested in building a rewarding career in sport, recreation, leisure, fitness, or community health and wellbeing. The Dublin City Council Sports and Recreation Traineeship provides an excellent pathway to recognised qualifications, industry experience, and employment opportunities within one of Ireland's leading local authority leisure services.

Apply online or contact Kathleen Bradshaw at kathleen.bradshaw@ide.cdetb.ie or 01 8342333

City of Dublin FET College Ide, Finglas, Northwest Campus

Cardiffsbridge Road, Finglas West, Dublin 11

T 01 834 2333 / 01 834 2450
F 01 834 7242
E info@ide.cdetb.ie
W www.colaisteide.ie