Aspire Coaching Training

Level 1 Foundation in Coaching

Welcome to our ICF-accredited Level 1 Foundation in Coaching programme. With the support of an experienced team of professional coaches and coaching mentors, we bring an updated and fresh approach to coach training.  

Whether you’re at the very start of your coaching journey, or have already had some non-ICF accredited training, this Level 1 foundation programme is ideal for anyone wishing to develop and deepen their coaching skills.

Our programmes are designed to give you a solid foundation in the theory and competencies required to be an impactful coach and experiential learning to support you in putting that theory into practice. Along the way, you’ll learn more about yourself as a human being, which will support you on this journey into professional coaching.

LEVEL ONE FOUNDATION IN COACHING

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is CE_Level1_Color.png

We are now taking enrollments for our ICF Accredited Level 1 foundation programme, which runs twice yearly.

  • 100 training hours over 6 months
  • 9 full days of live training via zoom
  • Self-paced learning between training days
  • Assessed to ACC standard as defined by the International Coaching Federation.
  • Includes 10 hours of coach mentoring
  • Supervision clinic
  • 12 hours of peer coaching practice
  • Live coaching demonstrations
  • Includes triad practice sessions
  • Supported by experienced MCC and PCC coaches
  • Introduces tools, theories and approaches from NLP, TA, neuroscience and more
  • Skillnet funding is available for qualifying companies & individuals
Secure your place

Who completes this training?

As you will see from our testimonials below, the Level 1 Foundation in Professional Coaching Skills attracts a wide range of people who are committed to learning and growing.  

Some want to be more effective leaders and champion the development of a coaching culture in their organisations, while others want to work as an internal coach in addition to their professional role. Others have stepped away from organisational life or plan to in the future and wish to set up their own coaching business with training or consultancy and finally some complete the programme as a learning journey for themselves.

Don’t take our word for it, hear what our students have to say!

“Attending the Aspire Coach training program was one of the most impactful experiences of my life!  I recognise that this is a “big” statement to make, but it is made with absolute authenticity!“
Lesley Murray
CHR Coaching & HR Consultants 
“Signing up to the  Aspire coach training course has been one of the best business decisions I have made.“



Brian Durnin
Co Founder & MD
Duhube Associates Ltd  
“Aspire Coach Training has been the game changer in my life over the last six months, in my thoughts, my reflections, and my self-awareness which has enabled me to probe, interrogate and challenge my own experiences as I talk, think and write them down like never before.“
Helen Forristal
Director of Nursing Services, Marie Keating Foundation
“Ailbhe, Stephen and the team walk the talk. They have devised a really wonderful programme and environment for anyone exploring the path to becoming a professional coach.“

Fintan Supple
Therapist/Professional and Executive Coach
Read the complete testimonials here

Training Outline

Days 1 & 2

An Introduction to Coaching Skills & Competencies

  • Introduction to the ICF competencies
  • Psychological Safety
  • Coaching Presence
  • Coaching Mindset
  • Establishes and Maintains agreements
  • Listening, Questioning & Feedback Skills
  • Listening for the who of the client
  • Live Demonstrations of coaching
  • Coaching Practice and Feedback

Days 3 & 4

Knowing and Growing

  • Listening & Questioning Skills
  • Values, ICF ethics and coaching
  • Positive & Conversational Intelligence
  • Communication Styles
  • Generating options
  • Action Planning
  • Live Demonstrations of coaching
  • Coaching Practice and Feedback

Days 5 & 7

Choice, Change, Growth and Challenge

  • Authoring our narrative
  • Empowering and Limiting Beliefs
  • Life positions
  • Emotions in the process of change
  • Balancing support and challenge
  • Live Demonstrations of coaching
  • Coaching Practice and Feedback

Day 6

Group Coach Mentoring

  • 7 hours of group coach mentoring
  • Evidencing competencies in action
  • Analysing a recording
  • Analysing live coaching
  • Teach-backs on each competency
  • Coaching Mindset
  • Reflective practice

Days 8 & 9

Being a Professional Coach

  • Contracting with multi-stakeholders
  • Use of metaphor in coaching
  • Discounting
  • Accessing our intuition as coaches
  • Understanding psychological games
  • Referring on and practice issues
  • Creating a coaching framework
  • Positive messages in coaching
  • Managing endings in coaching
  • Coaching Practice and Feedback

Other sessions

Supervision & 1:1 Mentoring

1:1 Mentoring
  • Two 90-minute sessions
  • Review & analysis of a recording of you working with a real client
  • Feedback against ICF Competencies
Supervision
  • 3-hour supervision clinic
  • ICF Ethics and ethical practice
  • Supervision on practice issues arising whilst working with real clients

Our trainers

Ailbhe Harrington, MCC

Ailbhe Harrington has trained over 400 coaches on ICF accredited programmes over many years. Her experience spans leadership development, transformational coaching, third-level education and enterprise development within the private, public and voluntary sector within Ireland and Europe. She was also awarded by the ICF Ireland Chapter, Coach of the Year in (2016), Coach Trainer (2017), Coach Supervisor (2020) and the President’s Social Enterprise Award (2020).

Stephen Clements, PCC

Stephen Clements, PCC has been a lead mentor on many coach training programmes and has been a trainer with Aspire Coach Training since it was established in 2022. Stephen was awarded by the ICF Ireland Chapter, Coach of the Year (2020) and has an extensive background in technology leadership and coaching within multinational companies. Alongside being a coach educator, he works as a leadership coach, Coach Mentor and Coaching Supervisor.

Ailbhe Harrington, MCC

Ailbhe Harrington has trained over 500 coaches on ICF accredited programmes over many years. Her experience spans leadership development, transformational coaching, third-level education and enterprise development within the private, public and voluntary sector within Ireland and Europe. She was also awarded by the ICF Ireland Chapter, Coach of the Year in (2016), Coach Trainer (2017), Coach Supervisor (2020) and the President’s Social Enterprise Award (2020).

Stephen Clements, PCC

Stephen Clements, PCC has been a lead mentor on many coach training programmes and has been a trainer with Aspire Coach Training since it was established in 2022. Stephen was awarded by the ICF Ireland Chapter, Coach of the Year (2020) and has an extensive background in technology leadership and coaching within multinational companies. Alongside being a coach educator, he works as a leadership coach, Coach Mentor and Coaching Supervisor.

Spring 2025

Level 1 Training Dates

24TH January 2025

7th & 8th February 2025

7th & 8th March 2025

4th & 5th April 2025

25th April 2025

6th & 7th June 2025

20th June 2025

All training days are delivered via ZOOM and start promptly at 9am (Irish time) and run until 17:30 with the exception of the 24th January which runs from 09:00 – 10:30 and the 20th June which runs from 09:00 – 12:00. You will be required to attend all training days.

The full cost is €4,500 with a range of payment options available. Skillnet funding is available for qualifying students.

Autumn 2025

Level 1 Training Dates

22nd AUGUST 2025

5th & 6th September 2025

3rd & 4th October 2025

7th & 8th November 2025

28th November 2025

9th & 10th January 2026

30th January 2026

All training days are delivered via ZOOM and start promptly at 9am (Irish time) and run until 17:30 with the exception of the 22nd August which runs from 09:00 – 10:30 and the 30th January which runs from 09:00 – 12:00. You will be required to attend all training days.

The full cost is €4,500 with a range of payment options available. Skillnet funding is available for qualifying students.

Your coaching journey starts here…

If you’re ready to begin your journey towards becoming a professional coach then secure your place today by registering using the button below. Places on each programme are limited so don’t delay!

Secure your place
Request 2025 Level 1 brochure

Already an experienced coach?

If you have completed a Level 1 programme or other ICF accredited training (such as an ASCTH programme) or have already obtained your ACC, then you might be interested in continuing your coaching journey with our ICF-accredited Level 2 Diploma in Integrative Coaching. This programme builds on your coaching foundation and deepens your skills while working towards your PCC coaching credential.

Learn more about our Level 2 Programme

Got a question?

Use the form below to get in touch. You’ll also be invited to opt into our mailing list.

Contact Form