Results from the seventh annual

Working in Fitness Survey, developed by SkillsActive and REPs, indicate the current economic climate is being reflected by the fitness industry. The survey was conducted between May and August last year.

As seen in other industries, pay increases are on hold, employer contributions to training appear to have been reduced and the amount of training undertaken has shown the first signs of a fall. However, more fitness workers are recommending the organisation they work for and continue to show a desire to remain in the fitness industry in the long term.

Fitness workers remain positive about staying in the industry, 68 per cent report an intention to stay at least five years but there is still a quarter who don’t know how long they will stay. Factors that would make them leave are low pay, better career prospects elsewhere and personal reasons (each reported by two in five respondents).

Although the issues are consistent across different types of employment low pay and improved career prospects are more commonly cited by those working in permanent full-time roles and has a lesser impact on the self-employed. Positively, only eight per cent and seven per cent of self-employed report a lack of work and rising costs, respectively, as factors in the current economic climate.

Pay does not show signs of improving, with a higher proportion of fitness workers than last year reporting the level unchanged. Those receiving an increase continues to fall, 24 per cent received a pay rise compared to 34 per cent last year. The increase that was received was most commonly up to 2.5 per cent.

In spite of the current pay situation eight in ten respondents are still happy to recommend the main organisation they work for, to a friend. Although the private sector is slightly less likely to be referred, the figures suggest an improvement on last year. Areas that influence a recommendation centre around working conditions and standards. Remuneration and prospects for promotion/career development show the lowest satisfaction regardless of whether

14

Working in Fitness Survey 2010

More than 1,000 REPs members took part in the seventh annual Working in Fitness Survey – one of the most accurate barometers of working practices and conditions within the fitness industry. Liz Smith, research manager for SkillsActive takes a look at the findings.

Low pay compared to other industries

Other personal reasons

Better prospects/career paths in other industries Unsociable hours

Poor training and development

Poor working conditions

End of contact/redundancy Leaving to raise family

Work pressure too much 12% 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% Figure 1: Factors cited as reasons to leave the industry

an organisation would be recommended. This confirms earlier findings of factors that would make someone leave. It appears the same issues are still present as those found in previous surveys but the improvement in recommendations may be due to workers content just to be in work at the moment.

The level of training and development is not the most common reason to leave

the industry but there is some supporting evidence that it does benefit retention. When recommending an organisation to work for, those who have received the least number of training days are less likely to make a referral. Likewise, those who intend to remain in the industry for a short time or do not recommend their employer are also those more commonly to report not receiving enough training. Those who intend to stay five or more years

The REPs Journal 2011;20(March):14-15 20% 18%

17% 16%

41% 39% 33% 26%