Health promotion specialist : Training

Training for health promotion specialists tends to be mainly on the job. External short courses are available on a range of topics including group work skills, monitoring and evaluating health promotion and developing health leaflets. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH)  offers relevant training courses such as the Level 1 Award in Health Awareness and the Level 2 Award in Health Promotion. See their website for further details.

There may also be training and updates on issues such as HIV/AIDS, alcohol awareness, healthy eating and sexual health. Attending conferences will also be a useful way to keep up to date with progressions in the industry.

There may be the opportunity of doing a postgraduate qualification for those who do not already have one. Some employers will support this and allow a day release for study. Although most employers do support continuing professional development (CPD), the amount of support varies. The amount of funding available for training is also variable and is subject to local conditions.