Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport & fitness

About this job

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in related programs.

Want to learn more? Watch this WorkBC Career Trek video and see what it’s like to work in this type of career.

4:45

Certified personal trainer

Source: WorkBC's Career Trek

People in this occupational group work for:

community centres
sports and fitness clubs
outdoor centres
resorts
recreational facilities
health-care facilities
correctional institutions
government departments
private businesses
tourism operators

Common job titles

appraiser, fitness - certified
camp co-ordinator
crew member, search and rescue

leader, arts / recreation
leader, sports / leisure / recreation
personal trainer (certified)
playground leader / worker
program leader, leisure
teacher, arts and crafts

teacher, athletics
teacher, fishing
teacher, fitness

teacher, horseback riding / dressage
teacher, martial arts
teacher, sailing / windsurfing
teacher, skating
teacher, ski / snowboarding
teacher, swimming / diving

appraiser, fitness - certified
camp co-ordinator
crew member, search and rescue
leader, arts / recreation
leader, sports / leisure / recreation
personal trainer (certified)

playground leader / worker
program leader, leisure
teacher, arts and crafts
teacher, athletics
teacher, fishing
teacher, fitness
teacher, horseback riding / dressage
teacher, martial arts
teacher, sailing / windsurfing
teacher, skating
teacher, ski / snowboarding
teacher, swimming / diving

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

$41,712

Source: 2017 Job Bank Wage data

Note:Estimated median employment income based on 2017 Job Bank median hourly wage rate (median annual salary = hourly wage rate x 40 (hours per week) x 52.14 (weeks per year))

Provincial hourly rate

High
Median
Low

Source: 2017 Job Bank Wage Report

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

2018 - 2023
2023 - 2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Job openings

10 year expected job openings: 4,860

2018
2023
2028

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Composition of job openings

New jobs due to economic growth:
49.2%
2,390 openings

Replacement of retiring workers:
50.8%
2,470 openings

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Regional outlook

Cariboo

Employment in 2018:

450

Average annual employment growth:

-0.2%

Expected number of job openings:

20

Kootenay

Employment in 2018:

510

Average annual employment growth:

0.4%

Expected number of job openings:

90

Mainland / Southwest

Employment in 2018:

13,400

Average annual employment growth:

1.1%

Expected number of job openings:

2,990

North Coast & Nechako

Employment in 2018:

270

Average annual employment growth:

1.6%

Expected number of job openings:

70

Northeast

Employment in 2018:

240

Average annual employment growth:

1.7%

Expected number of job openings:

70

Thompson-Okanagan

Employment in 2018:

2,020

Average annual employment growth:

0.9%

Expected number of job openings:

490

Vancouver Island / Coast

Employment in 2018:

3,370

Average annual employment growth:

1.6%

Expected number of job openings:

1,120

Source: B.C. Labour Market Outlook

Duties

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness perform some or all of the following duties:

plan and carry out recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques
instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities and lead groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs
attend to clients with special needs
provide lifestyle awareness information
conduct therapeutic recreational or athletic activities
monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to make sure they are safe, and provide emergency or first aid assistance when needed
enforce safety rules and regulations
help with coordination of special events
schedule activities, keep logs, maintain records and prepare reports
train and supervise staff
maintain and repair sports equipment

Work environment

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

Work takes place indoors in sports and recreational settings.
Some outdoor work may also be required.
Some workers, such as lifeguards, work near water.

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

16,700 workers are employed

18% of workers are working mostly full time

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by gender

Men

Women

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by age group

15 - 24 years

25 - 44 years

45 - 64 years

65+ years

Source: 2016 Census

Labour force by industry

Information, Culture and Recreation:

43%

Educational Services:

24%

Public Administration:

14%

Health Care and Social Assistance:

7%

Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services:

6%

View more industry data

Source: 2016 Census

Employment by region

% employment of this occupation

% employment of all occupations

Cariboo

Kootenay

Mainland / Southwest

North Coast & Nechako

Northeast

Thompson-Okanagan

Vancouver Island / Coast

Source: 2016 Census

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Completion of secondary school is usually required.
Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education
or
extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is usually required.
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.
Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.

As of July 1, 2017 when the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) came into force, you will not need significant additional training, experience, testing or assessment if your qualifications or certificates are recognized by a Canadian regulatory authority. This applies whether you were trained in Canada or internationally. Learn about labour mobility at www.workersmobility.ca. For information about labour mobility and foreign qualifications recognition, contact the B.C. regulator for your occupation.

Skills

Innovative
Verbal & Written Comprehension
Directive
Social
Motor Coordination

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

Adventure Tourism
Human Kinetics/Kinesiology/Physical Education
Recreation Leadership Related

Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Services
Sports and Fitness Administration/Management

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

Career paths

At this time, career path information is not available for this occupation.

Additional resources

British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA) – Job Listings
www.bcrpa.bc.ca/jobs/job-listings-and-requests-proposals
Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia – Job Postings
www.rfabc.com/Classifieds.htm
Recreation Facilities Association of British Columbia (RFABC)
www.rfabc.com

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (NOC 5254)

About this job

Certified personal trainer

Earnings

Annual provincial median salary

Provincial hourly rate

B.C. Labour Market Outlook (2018-2028)

Provincial outlook

Forecasted average employment growth rate

Job openings

Composition of job openings

Regional outlook

Duties

Work environment

Workforce and employment statistics

Workforce characteristics

Employment by gender

Employment by age group

Labour force by industry

Employment by region

Job requirements

Education, training & qualifications

Skills

Education programs in B.C.

Related careers

Career paths and resources

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