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SCHOOL LEAVER SPECIAL


APPRENTICESHIPS ARE BACK!


The number of apprentices in active leisure grew by 600 per cent in the last fi ve years - we talk to some of them


January 2012 with the total number of people out of work at 2.67 million. Alarmingly, the segment with the highest growth in unem- ployment was young people. T e ONS data shows that 1.04 million 16- to 24-year-olds are now without employment (nearly one in four) – an increase of 22,000 on the previous


A Stephen Townsend


Where are you working at the moment? As a fi tness coach at Virgin Active. What does your day-to- day role include? Teaching classes, interacting with mem- bers and coaching What attracted you to the leisure industry? Interested in keeping fi t, exercise, health and general wellbeing of others How did you enter the leisure


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ccording to the Offi ce for National Statistics (ONS), unemployment in the UK reached a 16-year high in


three months. But despite the slow economic recovery, it’s not all doom and gloom. While young people are fi nding it hard to


fi nd employment in manufacturing, IT and media, the sport and active leisure indus- tries seem to be bucking the trend - mainly thanks to the success of apprenticeship schemes. Apprenticeships have, since the very beginning of trade and industry, off ered a popular way to learn a trade. Young people


industry aſt er leaving school? I began working as a lifeguard at a local lei- sure centre. How easy was it to fi nd a job? It was fairly easy aſt er I had sent out my CV to lots of prospective employers. What training courses did you undertake to fi nd a job in leisure? NPLQ, YMCAfi t Level 2 Gym Instructor Apprenticeship What advice would you have for school leavers looking to get into the industry? Get qualifi ed and get as much experience of the industry as possible.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


were given the opportunity to learn a profes- sion while earning a small income, with the employer benefi tting from having an extra pair of hands for a lower cost. In the past 40 years, however, there has been a signifi - cant shiſt towards young people obtaining FE and HE qualifi cations. For the academic year 1970-71, there were 621,000 students in higher education across the UK. By 2009 that fi gure was more than 2.5 million.


Learning on the job Whether the increased number of people with degrees in the job market has diluted


Is there anything you would do diff erently if given the chance? No, not all. I am very happy with the way my career has panned out. Is working in leisure what you expected? Yes, it is hard work but very rewarding. You also have the opportunity to go as far as you want to in the industry. What are the best aspects of the industry? T e fun atmosphere that exists on the gym fl oor and meeting new people every day. I also like constantly striving to improve. And the worst? Cleaning! Also, getting up at 4am.


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2011


CASE STUDY


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