1. Home: Explore careers
  2. Health trainer

Health trainer

Alternative titles for this job include

Health trainers promote healthy living and help people make healthier lifestyle choices.

Average salary (a year)

£18,700 Starter

to

£28,500 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 39 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends attending events or appointments

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a health trainer

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • volunteering
  • applying directly

College

You could do a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you need in this job. Relevant courses include:

  • Level 2 Award in Improving the Public's Health
  • Level 2 Award in Nutrition for Health

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

The following advanced apprenticeships may help you get into this role:

  • Community sport and health officer
  • Community health and wellbeing worker

You may be able to move on to a Public health practitioner degree apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

It may be possible to train as a health trainer if you are already working in a related role such as pharmacy assistant or in a leisure centre.

Volunteering

You can get some of the skills and experience you need for this job through voluntary experience with local community groups.

You can get advice about work experience in the NHS before applying for jobs or training.

You can also contact The National Council for Voluntary Organisations about work placements.

Direct Application

You can apply directly for health trainer jobs, if you've got:

  • an understanding of the health issues facing the community
  • good communication skills in English and, for some jobs, a second community language
  • some GCSEs, including English

Qualifications or experience as a personal trainer, fitness instructor or dietitian can also be helpful.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a health trainer from Health Careers.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • customer service skills
  • administration skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you might:

  • introduce people to relevant local services
  • help people understand how their behaviour affects their health
  • support and motivate individuals to change harmful habits
  • explain the benefits of healthier food and lifestyle choices
  • record activity levels and results, and use these to motivate clients
  • keep up to date with what services are available locally
  • work with individuals or with larger groups

Working environment

You could work in an office or in the community.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could progress to team supervisor, or senior health improvement specialist.

You could also move into related careers in health promotion or community development.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

Community Sports and Activity Officer Apprentice

  • Wage: £9,984.00 Annually
  • Location: Not known

Community Health and Wellbeing Worker Apprenticeship

  • Wage: £21,840.00 Annually
  • Location: CHAFFINCH LANE, TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD

Courses In England

Multiply: Upskilling for Promotion (Health & Social Care)

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 31 October 2024
  • Location: HACKNEY

Multiply: Upskilling for Promotion (Health & Social Care)

  • Provider: NEW CITY COLLEGE
  • Start date: 09 January 2025
  • Location: Loughton

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

Skills assessment

Take an assessment to learn more about your skills and the careers that might suit you.

Is this page useful?

Yes No

Thank you for your feedback.

Thank you for your feedback. Click here if you'd like to let us know how we can improve the service.