Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in related programs. People in this job work in community centres, health-care facilities, government departments and correctional institutions. They also work for sports and fitness clubs, resorts and tourism companies, and recreational facilities.
Watch the video below to see what a day in the life of a certified personal trainer is like.
Source: Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2021 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))
Source: 2021 Job Bank Wage Report
Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook
10 year expected job openings: 8,460
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness perform some or all these duties:
People in this job work evenings and weekends on a regular basis. While some of the work takes place indoors in sports and recreational settings, some outdoor work may also be required. Some workers, such as lifeguards, work near or must enter water.
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sports and fitness spend most of their day working with others and leading classes. Good communication skills are important in this role since program leaders and instructors speak with clients who take classes, play an organized sport or have questions about what is available to them. People in this job may be required to help with community events and to speak with groups or individuals who provide financial or other support for a community centre or other public recreational facility.
Source: 2016 Census
Completion of secondary school is usually required. Graduation from a college program in recreation or physical education or extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is typically needed.
Certification is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as ski instructor or personal trainer, or in first aid or emergency care. In addition, a demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sport or fitness discipline is required.
Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness who are certified for that occupation by a regulator elsewhere in Canada can apply for the same certification from the regulator in B.C. Under the terms of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), most applicants who are transferring their credentials from elsewhere in Canada will not be required to complete additional training or testing. However, the B.C. regulator may ask applicants to provide further information such as a letter of good standing, references, or criminal record check. For those who trained outside of Canada and never received certification from any Canadian jurisdiction, a full assessment is likely needed. Most occupational regulators have a process for assessment and recognize internationally trained applicants. Contact the Lifesaving Society BC & Yukon Branch for details on how to apply for certification in B.C. For information about labour mobility in Canada, visit www.workersmobility.ca. View a list of B.C. occupational regulators.
For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 35 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. You’ll also find the skill strength needed, letting you know how capable you must be in that skill.
Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
People in this career need to stay up to date in their speciality which could be focussed on seniors, children, general fitness or others. This means learning about new techniques and processes for fitness, sport, recreation as well as health, wellness and nutrition.
Having motivational and leadership skills makes a person with this career in higher demand. Communication, conflict resolution, problem solving and being able to support and mentor others are important skills.
A person in this career needs to have an understanding of current health and safety regulations and to make sure their team follows those.
Career paths
People in this job can move into new positions as they gain experience in a range of service areas. This may include a focus on children or youth, seniors, or working in large organizations. Others stay in one service area and can move up in that area by taking on more responsibilities.
Typically, moving into a more senior role means that the person will need to oversee multiple service areas. For example, a recreation centre manager is responsible for all the service areas in the centre (skating, swimming, fitness and so on). While it’s not always necessary to have experience in each of these areas before becoming a manager, it’s useful and may help the person get promoted. In addition, it’s important to learn business skills to move into more senior roles. This can include budgeting, human resources and marketing.
Additional resources