Leisure Centre Assistant

Leisure centre assistants help and supervise people using leisure centre facilities.

Their role may include:

• taking payments, issuing tickets and taking bookings
• providing information about activities
• setting up, maintaining and demonstrating equipment
• checking that customers are following safety regulations
• supervising swimming pool users
• giving first aid and performing emergency procedures
• making sure that all areas and facilities are clean and tidy
• supervising children's activities.

Assistants at a small centre might be involved in any of these activities. At a larger centre they may be able to diversify into areas such as sports coaching or fitness instructing. Assistants work in a team with colleagues such as supervisors, managers, fitness instructors, coaches and lifeguards.

Leisure centre assistants work up to 40 hours a week in shifts, including evenings, weekends, early mornings and late nights. The work may be indoors, often in an air-conditioned environment or outside in all weathers. Work in a centre with a swimming pool, with prolonged exposure to chlorine-based chemicals, can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.

Salaries for leisure centre assistants may range from around £10,000 to £14,500 a year.

Leisure centre assistants should:

• be able to work well as part of a team
• have a friendly, helpful attitude
• be aware of health and safety issues
• be interested in sport and fitness.

Assistants can work in local authority and private leisure centres in towns and cities throughout the UK.

There are no formal academic entry requirements, but some employers may ask for GCSEs (A*-C). Qualifications in first aid, lifeguarding, pool plant operations and coaching will also improve job prospects. Apprenticeships in active leisure and learning are available.

On-the-job training is given, and there are a number of courses available for leisure centre assistants, such as NVQs and awards run by the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management (ISRM) and the Institute of Sport, Parks and Leisure (ISPAL).

Promotion is possible to a supervisory or management role, and will depend on experience and qualifications. Some assistants transfer into related jobs such as aerobics instructor or lifeguard.

Further details