Leisure

• General information
• Recreation manager
• Leisure/recreation attendant
• Outdoor pursuits manager
• Theme park manager
• Cinema manager

• Reference books available in the Careers Service.

General information

Sport and Leisure - this AGCAS sector briefing gives an overview of the sport and leisure sector.

Skills Active - Sector Skills Council for Active Learning and Leisure. Website has lots of resources, including a comprehensive careers section with information and case studies of different occupations within the sector and tips for getting a job.

Active Learning and Leisure - part of the National Guidance Research Forum website, giving details of labour market information, education and training, research and useful links for the sport and recreation sector.

BASES - this section of the website is specifically for students looking to work in the field of sport and exercise.

Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) - umbrella organisation for the national bodies of sport and recreation in the UK. Site contains information about education and training as well as jobs with CCPR and other related organisations. 

Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) - government department which aims to improve the quality of life for all through cultural and sporting activities.  Website includes latest news and policy developments in sports industry.

Fitness Industry Association (FIA) - is the nation’s industry body of gyms and leisure centres.  The website is a useful resource for those considering a career in the fitness industry - especially in sales/marketing - and includes a vacancy section.

Fitness Professionals (FitPro) - the largest and most respected association for fitness industry professionals in the world, based in London, with over 75,000 members.

Institute of Sport, Parks & Leisure (ISPAL) - new professional membership body providing a vast information resource. Membership is needed to gain full access to all the resources (details of how to join are available on the site).

Institute of Sport & Recreation Management (ISRM)/National Association for Sports Development - joint site for ISRM which "leads, develops and  promotes professionalism in the management of sport and recreation" and NASD which provides support, advocacy and professional development for those involved in the development of sport". N.B. Their jobs list is only available to members.

Jobswithballs - a leading UK job search and careers resource network for the sport and leisure industry.  The site includes a careers information centre with articles, links and resources plus lots of jobs which you can search by type of work and location.  Includes both sports and leisure/hospitality industry.

Leisure jobs - includes job search feature, articles of interest relating to sports and leisure, latest industry and company news.

Leisure opportunities - hundreds of jobs in a wide range of sports, leisure and tourism sectors are posted on this site and updated on a daily basis. It also includes a useful news section for the industry.  A sister site World Leisure Opportunities provides details of international vacancies and leisure industry news from overseas.

Leisurework - a vacancies site for the leisure industry

Recreation manager

Prospects Web - profile of a fitness centre manager from the official UK graduate careers website. There is also a short profile of a leisure/social club manager.

Jobs4U - profile of a leisure centre manager from the DfES' Connexions careers information service.

Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) - non-profit making professional association with members involved in the management of sports clubs (golf, tennis, sailing, rowing, rugby, football, cricket), health & fitness clubs, leisure, city and dining clubs located throughout Europe.  Site includes information on membership and on training and development.

Leisure/recreation attendant

Prospects Web - short profiles of a pool attendant and a recreation assistant from the official UK graduate careers website.

Jobs4U - profile of a leisure centre assistant from the DfES' Connexions careers information service.

Jobs4U - profile of a pool/beach lifeguard from the DfES' Connexions careers information service.

PitchBlue International provides vacancy listings for the spa, leisure and hotel industries worldwide.

Royal Life Saving Society UK - a registered charity with a vision ‘To safeguard lives in, on and near water’, it is the governing body and leading provider of training and education in lifesaving, lifeguarding, water safety and life support skills in the UK.  Site includes details of qualifications and courses.

RNLI - operates over 100 lifeguard units throughout the south west and east of England and Wales.  Site includes information on training and recruitment of RNLI lifeguards.

Outdoor pursuits manager

Prospects Web - profile of an outdoor pursuits manager from the official UK graduate careers website.

Jobs4U - profile of an outdoor activities instructor from the DfES' Connexions careers information service.

Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) - promotes best practice in outdoor careers ranging from sports instructor to countryside ranger. The 'info centre' section covers areas such as careers, accreditation, conferences and publications and there is also a job vacancy section.

Adventure jobs - online directory of employment opportunities for anyone seeking paid or voluntary employment in the adventure, activity, water sports and ski industry. The directory covers permanent, temporary and seasonal vacancies in all regions of the UK as well as abroad.

Bluedome -comprehensive website covering a multitude of outdoor adventure activities and sport.  Includes news from the sector, details of training courses and job vacancies.  Also has several forums where users can discuss the latest developments in outdoor pursuits and outdoor education and employment.

British Activity Holiday Association (BAHA)-trade association for private sector providers of activity holidays and courses in the UK.  Links to members' pages-some of which include job vacancies.

British Association of Ski Patrollers (BASP) - provide ski patrol services in Scotland.  The site details the BASP Ski Patrol Training Scheme and also the First Aid courses it offers.

Mountain Leader Training UK (MLTUK) - co-ordinating body for all mountain training schemes in the UK, overseeing the training and assessment of around six thousand leaders, instructors and guides.  The site details qualifications and training schemes, news and also links to the individual home nations mountain training boards.

Outdoor Solutions - outdoor information for the UK - jobs, instructors, courses, facilities, events, shops, clubs and gear. Updated daily.

Outward Bound Trust - colourful site which provides information on the Trust and their activities. Useful section on how to become an Outward Bound Instructor. Specific employment positions are periodically posted.

Royal Yachting Association (RYA) - national organisation which represents the interests of everyone who goes boating for pleasure and importantly provides qualifications in all aspects of boating from beginner to advanced trainer.  The site includes course lists and details of training centres.

Theme park manager

Prospects Web - profile of a theme park manager from the official UK graduate careers website.

Cinema manager

Prospects Web - profile of a cinema manager from the official UK graduate careers website.