EIT Hawke’s Bay is responding to demand from the local health sector in launching an introductory qualification for health promotion work.

Assistant Head of School for Health, Recreation and Sport Diana Kirton says EIT was approached by the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board, Sport Hawke’s Bay and Population Health about the need for health promotion education and qualifications in the region.

The Ministry of Health has previously identified a need in New Zealand for undergraduate qualifications in health promotion.

“EIT will be one of only two tertiary institutes nationally offering the qualification,” Mrs Kirton said.
Currently, many health promotion employees are not working at degree level. EIT’s 34-week programme targets these people while also suiting those wanting to study part-time.

Classes will be run on campus two half days a week. The certificate’s four modules cover nutrition, activity and health; communication and collaboration; health in the context of Aotearoa; and health promotion.

Depending on interest, there will be two entry points each year – in February and July.
EIT is expecting “a really good muster” for the first intake in February next year. It anticipates enrolling at least 15 students but could accept more.

The Level 4 qualification is seen as a springboard to job opportunities in the health promotion field, population health, lifestyle coaching, Green Prescription and agencies such as the New Zealand Heart Foundation.

Programme coordinator Chris Wheeler said EIT was working towards being able to offer a diploma-level programme in health promotion by 2011.