This qualification is now closed for new registrations. Certification will remain open until 31 March 2012.

The role of the Health Trainer has been designed in order to support the Health Trainer Initiative by the Department of Health. We have worked in partnership with the Department of Health and its Health Inequalities Unit to create this level 3 qualification.

As part of the plan to reduce health inequalities, Health Trainers employed in the community will encourage individuals to improve their health and wellbeing. The work of Health Trainers will focus on supporting healthier food choices, diet and exercise, giving up smoking, addressing individuals' behaviours relating to health and their motivation to change. As they will be employed to work in the community, Health Trainers will also be recruited from within the local community.

Who is the qualification for?

The City & Guilds level 3 Certificate for Health Trainers is suited to both those who would like to become Health Trainers, and those already working in that or a similar role. The Health Trainer role is a great way to begin a career in the health and community field and requires no previous formal qualifications. Progression to more senior Health Trainer roles is possible, with some Health Trainers having already progressed into other posts requiring more responsibility (eg Family Support Workers) or into further education and training, through foundation degrees and Community Development Work NVQs.

How will It be assessed?

The Level 3 Certificate for Health Trainers is a Vocationally Related Qualification (VRQ) comprising of four mandatory units.

• Unit 301 - Establishing and maintaining relationships with communities while working as a Health Trainer
• Unit 302 - Communicate with Individuals about promoting their health and wellbeing while working as a Health Trainer
• Unit 303 - Enable individuals to change their behaviour to improve their health and wellbeing while working as a Health Trainer
• Unit 304 - Manage and organise your own time and activities while working as a Health Trainer

The learner will need to successfully complete all four units in order to achieve the full qualification. Assessment for this qualification is by assignment only with no externally set exams. Assessment will include written short answer tests and scenario-based questions.

Fast track approval

Centres approved to offer the following qualifications may apply for Fast Track approval for the new City & Guilds level 3 Certificate for Health Trainers (3075-01, 3075-91):

• 3179 Certificate in Health and Social Care
• 3056 Certificate in Community Mental Health Care
• 3135 Certificate in working with people with Learning Disabilities
• 3173 NVQs in Health
• 3172 NVQs in Health and Social Care
•  3181 Level 3 Certificate for Knowledge and Skills Framework Reviewers

To gain Fast Track you must fill in the blank Fast Track Form (FTAP) available from this Fast tarck approal (FTAP) page, you will then need to send this completed form you nearest regional/national office.

When applying for Fast Track, centres must fulfill the criteria required of new centres; they must provide adequate physical and human resources, set up a clear management of information systems and have effective assessment and quality assurance procedures in place. If Centres are found to be unable to fulfill such criteria, they will have to apply for full approval.

Centres may only use the Fast Track Form for the first 12 months from the introduction of the qualification.

The Department of Health - Improving Health: Changing Behaviour (NHS Health Trainer Handbook)

This handbook underpins the role of the Health Trainer as specified in the Department of Health white paper "Choosing Health". It provides information and explanations about psychological techniques and theories of behaviour change and offers practical suggestions for how to use these techniques.

This Department of Health handbook is essential reading for learners.