Source: Skills Needs Assessment – England 2005, table 3.4.2.  Data from Experian (2005) using data sourced from the National Statistics.

For more data on the occupational profile of the sector workforce see:

Managers and senior officials mostly lack management skills (63%), and sales staff customer handling skills (66%) and communication skills (61%).

Personal service occupations are important in the sector as coaches and instructors have the main contact with members or customers.  The relationship between instructor and participant is recognised as one of the most important components for sector organisations in achieving participation, business targets and customer satisfaction.  These occupations have the highest levels of skill deficiency for:

• customer handling skills (79%)
• communications skills (77%)
• problem solving skills (66%)
• technical and practical skills (49%)
• management skills (49%)

Source: Skills Needs Assessment – England 2005 (covering sport, fitness and the outdoors)

Data from the 2003 New Earnings survey shows that:

• the average annual salary for full-time leisure and sports managers was £26,300
• sports coaches, instructors and officials earn an average of £24,800 per annum
• fitness instructors and sports and leisure assistants both earn around £15,000

63% of the sector’s workforce earns less than £20,000 and 15% earn less than £10,000.  Males in the sector earn more than females in the same job, but it is suggested that males are better qualified than their female counterparts.

Bonuses range from £500 upwards, but in general it is equivalent to 3% of the basic salary in the sector.  In 2004, pay increases were more likely to be received by employees in the public sector than the private.

Source: SkillsActive regional fact sheets and SkillsActive/Leisure-Net Solutions Ltd. 2004

For more information on pay in the industries go to sector information.

For average salary by occupation see:

For leisure and personal service occupations, the required current and future skills are:

• communication skills
• customer handling
• team working
• problem solving skills

In elementary administration and service occupations the required current and future skills are:

• customer handling
• team working
• technical and practical skills
• communication skills

Notable is the low level of both general and professional IT skills required.  In elementary administration and service occupations IT skills are not expected, which is a requirement that will change within the next years. However, in leisure and personal service occupations where more change is anticipated, it is expected that foreign language skills and general IT user skills are likely to increase.

There is some evidence of skills shortages in the sector.  Future trends include:

• the industry is likely to need higher levels of management and business skills
• instructors will have to become more highly qualified to give instruction in areas of GP referrals, cardiac rehabilitation and so on, improving the professionalism of service delivery when working as personal trainers
• customer service and communication skills need to be improved – the industry needs to be perceived as more professional
• specialised sales and marketing employees with improved customer service skills

This suggests that the sector needs a better trained workforce in the future, with increased demand for well qualified personnel.

Source: Spilsbury Research/SkillsActive 2004

The SkillsActive website as several case studies of those working in the sector highlighting the duties, responsibilities, earnings and advice for those thinking about joining the sector.  Selected career profiles available include: sport and recreation coaching coordinator; recreation administrator; health and fitness product manager; play centre manager and caravan park health and safety manager.

The website also includes profiles of Advanced Apprenticeships in Sporting Excellence and the graduate Apprenticeship in the outdoor sector.  Careers information on work in the different industries in the sector is also available.

A variety of key roles in the Active Leisure and Learning sector are identified by Prospects and detailed information is available.  Some selected examples include: fitness centre manager; outdoor pursuits manager; sports administrator; sports coach/instructor; and sports development officer.  For information on these roles and others in the sector go to the Prospects website case studies. 

The learndirect website also has detailed occupational profiles for the Sport, Leisure and Tourism sector.  These profiles include information on entry points, training, working environment, employment opportunities and expected annual salary.