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Leisure, sport and tourism

Leisure
 Working in leisure, sport and tourism often means working when other people are enjoying their time off. A lot of the jobs involve working with the public and there's a chance you could be doing something you really love!
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MyChoiceNotts

Are you interested in getting a qualification in this area? Look for a course at local sixth forms and FE colleges on My Choice Notts(Nottinghamshire and just over the border). For higher education courses go to UCAS

 

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Vacancies Online

Search for local job vacancies and Apprenticeship opportunities in the sector you're interested in.

  

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Find out more about the Diploma in Sport and Active Leisure or Travel and Tourism course here.

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What does it involve?

Working in leisure, sport and tourism often means working when other people are enjoying their time off. This can mean working shifts and holidays.  Places you might work include a leisure centre, travel agent, holiday centre or casino. 

A lot of the jobs involve working with the public which means you need good customer care skills and are confident in dealing with complaints.  However, you may get perks such as cheap or free travel and other discounts; there's also a chance you could be doing something you really love!

How can you get into this type of work? 

Your Personal Adviser will be able to discuss your options with you.

  • School or college - study for GCSEs, AS / A levels, a diploma, NVQs or other vocational qualifications that could lead to a job, an Apprenticeship, further qualifications or even a degree.

  • e2e (Entry to Employment) - if you’re not sure if you’re suited to this job you might be able to get some work experience through e2e. It can also give you extra support to gain the right qualifications, get onto a training programme or get a job.

  • Apprenticeship - train ‘on-the-job’ with a wage or allowance. For the latest Apprenticeship vacancies in Nottinghamshire go to Vacancies Online.

  • Work or work with training

 

What else can I do? 

  •  

As well as qualifications, employers also look for the skills
people have when they’re applying for jobs. Here are the
skills that leisure sport and tourism employers are looking for from you:

  • Customer service

  • Team work

  • Communication

  • Problem solving

  • Management and leadership

  • Information and communications technology (ICT)

  • Show initiative

 

Skills

Four one pound pieces

Wages will vary depending on where in the country you work and between different organisations

Job Title Average weekly salary * Average annual salary

Fitness instructor

£199.00 (approx)

£10,200 (approx)

Leisure and sports manager

£433.00

£27,000 (approx)

Travel agent

£283.90

£16,156

Travel and tour guide

£120.00

£6,899

Source: Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, ONS 2008

*Based on gross pay (before you have anything deducted) and not including overtime or tips.

Note: this doesn't include self-employed

What's happening in the industry? 

The leisure and sport industries are rapidly growing areas. There are over 3,500 private fitness clubs and over 1,500 leisure centres in the UK, employing over 50,000 people (1). The government is worried about obesity levels and this means there'll be more GP referrals for exercise which is good news for health and fitness clubs.  The 2012 Olympic Games which are to be held in London will also encourage everyone to get moving and the government is giving lots of money to sports clubs to encourage us! 

Another reason why the leisure industry is growing is because the average age of the population is getting older. This means there are more people with time to spend on leisure activities.  Gaming and betting legislation has also changed which will mean more casinos opening although the bingo industry has been hit hard by the smoking ban.

There are lots of opportunities for young people in leisure, sport and tourism but there's a shortage of people with the right skills, especially management and leadership. Advances in technology mean that more people with computer science or electronic engineering degrees will be in demand.          

Travel abroad has become cheaper due to low cost airlines but the cost of fuel can affect flying so things could change. Whether or not the pound is strong or weak against other currencies can also affect the tourism trade. When the pound is weak, we may decide to take our holidays at home but people from other countries may visit the UK because it's cheaper than in the past.

(1) Skills Active

See the 'Notts Info' section for what's happening locally.

The tourism and culture industry in Nottinghamshire employs around 22,500 people (1).  Lots of people visit and stay in our county and spend lots of money!  

Nottingham, and to a lesser extent Newark and Retford , attract tourists from other parts of the country and overseas.  There are opportunities to work at visitor attractions (Nottingham Castle, White Post Farm Park), accommodation and events.   

In Nottingham city there are many tourist attractions, sporting facilities including the Trent FM Arena, National Ice Centre, Nottingham Castle and Museum, the Galleries of Justice, Meadow Lane - home of Notts County Football Club - and the new Contemporary Arts Centre. 

In Newark and Sherwood the percentage of Tourism-related jobs is double the regional and national rates.  In Edwinstowe tourism is mainly associated with the Robin Hood legend and there are temporary and seasonal jobs connected to this.  Center Parcs, Eden Hall and Thoresby Hall Hotel offer themed breaks and have a wide range of opportunities.  Many hotels act as venues for conferences, parties or weddings and often use agencies (Right4Staff, Blue Arrow or Adecco UK ) to recruit for peak times. Jobs are generally advertised on websites and in the local press.  

Rushcliffe District employs over 1,500 people in sport and is home to the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham Forest's City Ground and Trent Bridge cricket ground. 

There are  opportunities at sporting venues.  They also host events and conferences. 

Leisure and garden centres (larger ones such as The Dukeries Garden Centre at Welbeck, Reg Taylors at Southwell, Wheatcroftts at Edwalton)also attract visitors ad often employ temporary and seasonal staff. 

This sector is expected to grow but employers say they’re struggling to recruit people with the right skills, qualifications and qualities and that the industry will stop growing if job applicants aren't suitable.

Number of people employed in the tourism, leisure and recreational  industry

 

Area of Nottinghamshire

Number of workers*

Ashfield

 677

Bassetlaw

 1,219

Broxtowe

 836

Gedling

537

Mansfield

959

Newark and Sherwood

3,339
Nottingham 5,477

Rushcliffe

2,591

Total

15,633

 Source: Annual Business Inquiry 2008, ONS.

Key employers in this sector: 

Ashfield

East Midlands Designer Outlet 

Bassetlaw

Clumber Park Hotel

Best Western Lion Hotel

West Retford Hotel

Clumber Park (National Trust)

Broxtowe

Eastwood Hall

The Belfry Hotel

The Gateway Hotel

Hayley Conference Centre 

Gedling

Newstead Abbey 

Mansfield

Newark and Sherwood

Center Parcs

Thoresby Hall Hotel and Spa

Eden Hall

Saracens Head –Southwell

Sherwood Forest and Rufford Country Parks

Southwell Racecourse

White Post Farm Park

Wheelgate (formerly Wonderland) Park 

Nottingham City

Galleries of Justice

Wollaton Park

Nottingham Racecourse

Casino 

Rushcliffe

National Watersports Centre

Nottingham Forest

Trent Cricket ground

 

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Find out more about specific jobs in this sector:

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  • similar jobs
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