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Sport & Leisure
Duration
1 years
Level
FET
Outlook
Stable
This QQI Level 6 programme equips you with the practical and supervisory skills needed to manage leisure centres, community pools, sports halls, and recreation facilities. You study pool plant operations, health and safety legislation, staff rostering, membership administration, and customer service management. A significant portion of your week is spent in practical settings, including work placement in a local leisure centre or aquatic facility, where you apply classroom learning to real operational challenges. You also explore programming for special populations, facility maintenance scheduling, and the use of management software for bookings and memberships. This is a hands-on course suited to people who enjoy sport, people management, and the day-to-day running of a busy facility.
Entry typically requires a Leaving Certificate with passes in five subjects, including English and Mathematics at Ordinary level or above. Physical Education, Biology, or Business Studies at Leaving Certificate level is an advantage but not usually mandatory. Some colleges accept applicants based on relevant work experience in sport, leisure, or hospitality, particularly mature students aged 23 or over. QQI Level 5 certificates in Sport and Recreation, Fitness Instruction, or Leisure Management are a well-recognised progression route into this Level 6 award. HEAR and DARE access schemes may apply at participating ETB colleges, and you should contact the individual college directly to confirm their specific entry criteria.
Demand for qualified facility managers in Ireland remains steady, driven by continued investment in public leisure infrastructure and the growth of private fitness and wellness operators. Graduates with pool plant certification and health and safety qualifications are particularly sought after, as these skills are specialist and regulated. With experience, you can progress into senior management roles overseeing multiple sites or move into sports development at county or national level.
AI is beginning to influence leisure facility management through predictive booking systems, automated membership analytics, and energy management tools that optimise pool heating and lighting costs. As a facility manager, you will increasingly work with data dashboards that flag usage trends and staff scheduling needs without requiring deep technical knowledge. However, the core people-facing and safety-critical aspects of this role — such as emergency response, staff supervision, and community engagement — remain firmly human-led and are unlikely to be displaced by automation in the foreseeable future.
Providers and indicative points are curated with AI support. Always double-check with the institution itself.
How to apply
QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate courses are accessed by applying directly to the relevant ETB college or further education provider, typically through fetchcourses.ie or the college's own application portal — not through the CAO. Entry generally requires a QQI Level 5 qualification in a related field (e.g. Sport and Recreation) or equivalent relevant experience.
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