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www.leisureopportunities.co.uk
T e number of people applying for universities
fell in 2010 - according to university body UCAS
Matthew Cherry
Where are you working at the moment? I’m currently working as a personal trainer at LA Fitness, Kings Lynn. What does your day-to- day role include? Assessing people’s fi tness needs and writing gym/nutrition programmes. What attracted you to the leisure industry? I’ve always been interested in sport and chose a career in leisure as I knew it would be something I was enthusiastic about and would enjoy on a daily basis. How easy was it to fi nd a job? It was very easy to fi nd a personal train- ing job but I would tell people to start by building up their knowledge from a fi tness instructor level fi rst. How did you enter the industry aſt er leaving school? I went to college and studied for a diploma in sport and, from there, I went to Premier Training International to study Level 3 Personal Training.
the value of academic qualifi cation is a mooting point, but what is clear is that aſt er 40 years of steady growth, it looks like uni- versity applications are in decline for the fi rst time. Earlier this year, university body UCAS reported that applications for under- graduate courses have fallen 8.7 per cent. T e increased tuition fees and subsequent debt levels have certainly have their eff ect, but could it be that young people are simply choosing an alternative path to work? T e government certainly seems to hope
so. It has set itself a target to fi nd one mil- lion extra apprenticeships over the next
An apprenticeship means learning as you work
What training courses did you undertake to fi nd a job in leisure? I started with a Premier Training International Personal Training Diploma and fi nd it important to keep updating my knowledge with relevant courses. What advice would you have for school- leavers looking to get into the industry? Research all the fi elds in the sports indus- try and choose the correct course relevant to your interests. Is there anything you would do diff erently? I would have gone straight to Premier instead of college, as it provided a faster track into my chosen career. Is working in the leisure industry what you expected? Yes and more! T e satisfaction of seeing myself and my clients achieve fi tness goals is very rewarding. T e best aspect of the leisure industry? Every day is diff erent and so is every client. You need to constantly develop your train- ing so that everyone achieves their goals. And the worst? Unpredictable hours!
Joe Rust
Where are you working at the moment? I am currently working at St Crispin’s Leisure Centre, Wokingham, as a full time fi tness coach. What does your day-to-day role include? As a fi tness coach, I complete new mem- ber inductions, give gym tours to potential members and design exercise programmes for our gym-users. A key focus of my time on the gym fl oor is to help convert leads into membership sales and retain our cur- rent members. I really enjoy meeting new members and helping them on their way to achieving their goals. I also run my own weekly boxercise classes at the leisure centre, which are proving to be really successful! What attracted you to the leisure industry? I had always been an active youngster and as a teenager I loved keeping fi t in the gym. To make a real diff erence to people’s lives is also very rewarding. How did you enter the industry aſt er leaving school? I leſt college a year into my A Levels and, with no work experience under my belt, I
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did not know where to turn to kick start my career. I took a job at a local pub, but knew this wasn’t for me, long term. On hearing of the Leisure Connection Fitness Academy, I applied online and was invited to an induction day. I was accepted onto a government-funded Level 2 Apprenticeship programme. What training courses did you undertake to fi nd a job in leisure? Training with Lifetime, I started a three- week classroom-based programme. I was taught the basic theory needed to advance as a Fitness Instructor. It was great to learn the basics of anatomy and physiology and to have the chance to apply this knowledge in a practical setting made the learning experience just so valuable. What advice would you have for school leavers looking to get into the industry? I would urge others to jump at every opportunity that comes their way. Gaining valuable work experience and showing your employer just how good you can be Is working in leisure what you expected? I love my career. My confi dence has soared and I have just started leading my own weekly boxercise class. I’m currently work- ing hard to complete my Level 3 Personal Training qualifi cation.
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www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 15
CASE STUDY
CASE STUDY
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