So, what's it all about?
With the 2012 Olympics on the horizon, the sport and fitness industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK. It covers all aspects of sport and recreation from professional sport to exercise instruction – including work in leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools, stadiums, and private sports clubs, as well as a range of outdoor activities. Roughly 620,000 people work in this industry, in about 230,000 businesses and organisations throughout the country.
‘Sport’ is about more than just teams and competition – it’s all forms of physical activity that improve physical fitness and mental wellbeing. Sport can even help people form social relationships. Millions of people enjoy sports at community leisure centres, private health clubs, outward bound centres, and after-school clubs; and all of these need keen and motivated staff to make sure things run smoothly and safely, as well as to instruct, inspire, and keep an eye on people.
There are many roles on offer to suit different tastes and abilities. If you like working with people, then a career as a fitness instructor, coach or activity leader could prove rewarding. If football is your passion, you could help manage club facilities or work as an event marshal during matches. And for those who prefer to work quietly behind the scenes, operational services are needed to support every business and organisation in the sector.
Increasingly, the government is relying on the industry to help fight illness and obesity. There’s a growing number of fitness club and leisure centre users, which means a growing number of employment vacancies. And with the Olympics on their way to London, investment is being poured into promoting sports and fitness and improving facilities from community to professional level. In fact, there’s never been a better time to start a career in the industry.
What qualities do I need?
- be fit and active
- have a keen interest in sports (a GCSE or A-level in PE could be useful)
- be a good team player
- have quick reactions and problem-solving capabilities
- be a good communicator
- be able to motivate and inspire
- understand the importance of nutrition
- know how to conduct a warm up and exercise without straining muscles
- have maths and science skills
These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.
Activity leadership
Coaching, teaching and instructing
Instructing exercise and fitness
Leisure management
Operational services
Spectator safety
Click here for a list of employers offering Apprenticeships in this sector.
Sector Skills Council
SkillsActive
SkillsActive is the number one contact for information and advice on working in the active leisure and learning sector. The friendly people there will offer good advice to anyone interested in a career in Sport and Recreation, Health and Fitness, the Outdoors and Caravan industries.
Visit them at www.skillsactive.com.
Training providers
Central YMCA Qualifications
www.cyq.org.uk
Chartstage Training and Development
www.chartstage.com
A leading provider for training and qualifications in community sport.
Lifetime Health & Fitness
www.lifetimehf.co.uk
A respected training organisation in the fitness industry.
Further reading
Crowd Strategies
www.crowdstrategies.com
Fitness Industry Association
www.fia.org.uk
Institute for Outdoor Learning
www.outdoor-learning.org
Leisure Jobs
www.leisurejobs.com
Outdoorstaff
www.outdoorstaff.co.uk
Outward Bound Trust
www.outwardbound-uk.org
Sport England
www.sportengland.org
Sports Coach UK
www.sportscoachuk.org