Qualifications needed are also the likes of a BTEC or degree and experience is usually required. It would be a permanent full time job.
Another job, this time from the public sector, could be a sports instructor/coach in a council ran leisure centre. This job would involve teaching and supervising sport to either a first time participant or helping an experienced participator.
A qualification for this position can range from GCSE’s right through to A-Levels and/or degrees. A keen interest in sport is essential.
Research found from “Jobs & Careers Within The Leisure Industry” by Author Steve Marks
Sport & Physical Recreation
Sport & Physical recreation has organisations such as leisure clubs and centres, football grounds etc.
Public sources of sport & physical recreation:
- Acklam Sports Centre
- Clairville Athletics Stadium
- Tilery Sports Centre
- Southlands Leisure Centre
Private sources of sport & physical recreation:
- JJB Health Club
- David Lloyds Leisure Centre
- Springs Health and Fitness Leisure Centre
- Private sports such as Manchester United
Voluntary sources of sport & physical recreation:
One job within in this area could be a sports centre manager. This job involves running and controlling where sports facilities are provided to the general public. These are divided between local authority run centres (the most numerous) and privates sports and fitness clubs which are usually of an upmarket nature.
Qualifications needed: Ideally a degree in leisure management, but a business degree normally accepted. Other routes may include a HND in leisure management or business. Most sports centre managers are members of an association such as ‘ILAM’, which give additional short course qualifications to enhance the employability.
Evidence of research: “Working in the Leisure Industry” by Steve Marks
Heritage
Heritage has organisations such as castles, ancient monuments, religious buildings etc.
Public sources of heritage:
- Stonehenge
- British Museum
Private sources of heritage:
- Stately homes e.g. Chatsworth House
A job within this area could be a grounds keeper (Stonehenge). This involves tending to the surrounding area of the historic site, keeping it in good order, safe and accessible, making sure the area is enjoyable to be in. Qualifications needed: none in particular, knowledge of the site and full ability to carry out their duties.
Another job available in this area could be a Museum manager. Their responsibilities include planning, finance, budgets, personnel and marketing. Qualifications include degrees in History, Art History, Archaeology, Natural History, or maybe a science subject. It is also very useful to have some commercial and financial awareness.
Another job could be a ‘Stately homes and Historic Buildings Management’ (e.g. Chatsworth House). This type of job would include responsibility of all maintenance, restoration, finance, applying for outside funding, personnel and day to day running.
To reach this position, a degree in a related subject such as business, history or archaeology would be needed. Experience in management etc would also be desirable.
Evidence of research: “Working in the Leisure industry” by Steve Marks.
Countryside Recreation
Countryside recreation has three different areas: land, water and air.
Public sources of countryside recreation:
- The National Parks (e.g. North York Moors)
Private sources of Countryside recreation:
Voluntary sources of Countryside recreation:
Countryside recreation is divided into three areas, land, water and air. Different activities are available within these three areas for different people to participate in. Venues used to cater for such activities can be classified as natural or artificial. For example people wishing to take part in rock climbing have to use artificial indoor climbing walls.
A job within this area could be an equestrian centre manager. This job involves tending to stock, produce, animal’s etc, by keeping them in good order and then providing a service to whoever may wish to be the result of them. Running the facility efficiently, taking care of finance, staff, services such as riding lessons, and liveries.
Qualifications needed are business qualifications if beginning from scratch, but usually a job built from own interest and ownership, gradual increase in organisation.
Another example of a vacancy could be a ‘Countryside officer’. The job would involve managing the countryside and its use. Duties may include planning, helping to create policy, maintaining facilities such as tourist sites and footpaths, promoting sensible use of countryside and probably most importantly, conservation. Local authorities and charitable organisations employ countryside Officers.
Qualifications required would be a BTEC in leisure, rural or conservation studies. A degree in these or similar subjects would also be desirable.
Research obtained from “Working in the leisure industry” by Steve Marks.
Catering and Accommodation
Catering and Accommodation has organisations such as hotels, restaurants, fast food, pubs and inns, camping sites etc.
Public sources of catering and accommodation:
- Council run café in library/leisure centre
Private sources of catering and accommodation:
- McDonalds
- Swallow Hotel
- Central Park Restaurant
- Flamingo Land Caravan Park
Voluntary sources of catering and accommodation:
A job within this area could be a fast food restaurant worker. This involves preparing food, taking orders, handling money and giving good service to the public.
Qualifications: General education is useful but not essential as full training is given.
A second job in this area could be a waiter/waitress. Tasks took out by a waiter/waitress are to serve foods and drinks, take orders, clear tables etc. The manner in which all these are presented are very important too, as this should be done professionally and pleasantly.
GCSE’s are an advantage to progress on to NVQ’s, although you can enter this type of job without these qualifications.
Research obtained from “Working in the leisure industry” by Steve Marks.
Home Based Leisure
Home based leisure is split into three main areas: media in the home, home as an object of leisure and home for leisure and social activity.
Public sources of home based leisure:
- Catalogue/Delivery services (e.g. Gratton, Betterware)
Private sources of home based leisure:
- TV & Radio (e.g. BBC, Century FM)
- Personal Computers
- Hi-fi/Stereo
Voluntary sources of home based leisure:
- Volunteers helping older people pursue leisure in the home e.g. play board games with them etc.
A job within this section could be a sales assistant. Their job would involve serving customers, dealing with complaints, providing customers with information on certain product in the store.
Qualification: General education would be useful but full training would be given.
