Older lifeguards key to shortage says RLSS UK

RLSS UK wants more older adults to become RLSS UK qualified lifeguards to help ease the leisure sector’s ongoing recruitment challenge.

The charity, which works with more than 3,000 swimming pools across the UK and Ireland, says almost every pool operator needs help to fill lifeguard posts.

Attracting more over-50s into the profession makes business sense; RLSS UK’s latest Lifeguard Survey shows this cohort to be more fulfilled by their work and open to ongoing training and development than their younger colleagues.

“The government wants to encourage more over-50s back into work, and lifeguarding is ideal employment for this age group for a host of reasons,” said Nicola Baldwin, RLSS UK’s research and insights manager.

“Older workers want work that is meaningful, flexible and offers social interaction. Lifeguarding provides all of this and more.

“Our survey shows that older lifeguards feel really positive about being part of the lifeguarding community and the sense that they are making a difference. They also value the flexibility of the role.”

With one in five people aged 50 to 69 years in the UK acting as informal carers being able to fit lifeguarding around other commitments is highly attractive for people in this age bracket.

According to survey results published earlier this year, lifeguards aged 50 and over are some of the most fulfilled in the profession and why 80 per cent of them would recommend the job to others.

Almost all older lifeguards (95 per cent) say they feel proud to have completed the RLSS UK’s National Pool Lifeguard Qualification – the most popular lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland – and nearly three quarters (73 per cent) say the qualification had improved their confidence.

With so much work available, nine in 10 NPLQ holders have worked or volunteered as a lifeguard since completing their qualification.

Nicola added: “Attracting older people into lifeguarding has clear benefits for operators and workers and could be the key to solving the UK’s lifeguard shortage.

“We’d like to see more older adults enjoying this wonderful profession’s benefits while plugging the skills gaps to ensure our pools stay open.”