JO TALBOT
PEOPLE
Commercial director RLSS UK
The lifeguarding conundrum lifeguards enjoy their work, but our first survey of 3,000 lifeguards working across the
© SHUTTERSTOCK/WAVEBREAKMEDIA
W
e’ve always known that
RLSS qualifies more than 20,000 new lifeguards every year
UK reveals exactly why they love the role. Rewarding, flexible, and the chance to make a difference are some of the reasons why lifeguards find the job so rewarding. Almost three quarters (71 per cent) feel proud to know how to save a person’s life, and 60 per cent gain satisfaction from being part of a highly respected profession. Like many others, I started my career as a lifeguard. I understand the passion people feel for the role. Lifeguarding is a fantastic springboard for a career in the leisure
“LIFEGUARDING IS A FANTASTIC SPRINGBOARD FOR A CAREER IN THE LEISURE SECTOR AND BEYOND”
sector and beyond, as leading professionals testify. (See #IStartedAsALifeguard) So why does the sector struggle to recruit lifeguards? Well, the first thing
Another issue is that lifeguards are among the lowest paid in the sector – with most earning minimum wage.
to note is that this is nothing new. I have
Finally, the role will only ever appeal to
worked in the industry for more than 20
certain people. Not everyone has what it
years, including 10 years in operations as
takes to dive into a pool and save a life.
a group lifeguard manager at Places for
But none of this means we shouldn’t
People Leisure. During most of that time,
be looking for new ways to recruit and
attracting lifeguards has been a challenge.
retain lifeguards. That’s why we are using
One of the reasons is the sheer number
social media and our #BeaLifesaver
of lifeguards required by the industry.
campaign to attract people who may
A typical leisure centre needs 25-35
not have considered working in the
lifeguards to operate its pools safely. In
sector, let alone becoming a lifeguard.
addition, the sector has a problem with
Plus, we are offering funded lifeguard
churn. Lifeguarding traditionally attracts
training (National Pool Lifeguard
young people, those in the sixth form, at
Qualification - NPLQ) as part of the Sector
college or university. The flexibility of the
Skills Academies project in partnership
role means it is easy to fit around studies,
with Active Apprentice and Vision West
but after completing their education,
Nottinghamshire College. This will allow gym
students tend to leave lifeguarding to
instructors, duty managers and others to
take up full-time employment elsewhere.
upskill to help fill lifeguard shortages while
At RLSS UK, we qualify over 20,000
enhancing careers so that even more people
new lifeguards s every year, which gives
can experience this rewarding role. ●
you some idea of the scale of churn.
https://www.rlss.org.uk/
SPORTSNATION.ORG.UK MAR/APR 2022
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