Survey Reveals Brits' New Year Habits

A new survey has revealed that almost 20 per cent of Brits cited looking for a new job as their New Yearís resolution.

This is the finding of a survey conducted by national training provider Lifetime, which revealed that a third of the 4,000 people quizzed about their current career felt trapped in a job they dislike and get no satisfaction from.

Despite being unhappy, many will still not look for an alternative career in 2009. Money is the main reason stopping them from retraining, with 58 per cent reporting they canít afford to give up work to retrain. Over a quarter felt they are not qualified enough to pursue another career and 17 per cent thought they were too old.

The good news is that despite the economic downturn, the fitness sector is growing* and as a result there are some fantastic career opportunities on offer across the UK. Job roles range from fitness instructing and personal training to leisure management.

For those who can not afford to stop earning while they train, a home study course with Lifetime is ideal. Each industry-recognised qualification can be completed at the studentís own pace via distance learning and, upon successful completion, individuals will be guaranteed a job interview with a health club or leisure centre operator.

Help is also at hand if time and money are tight. As Centre of Excellence for Fitness, Lifetime offers individuals aged between 16 and 65 free training in fitness instructing and personal training. The government-funded courses will qualify them in just four or five weeks which, is followed by the opportunity to gain employment at a health club or leisure centre where they can gain practical experience and complete their full NVQ.

Heather Frankham, CEO at Lifetime, says: ìWe spend most of our waking lives at work, so it is vital we should want to get the most from our careers. Whether looking for a first job or changing career, working in the fitness industry offers fantastic opportunities as it provides a much sought after work and life balance. The benefits are endless – attractive income, flexible hours, variety and a great deal of job satisfaction. Rapid progression into new roles is also possible for ambitious individuals.î

When asked about achieving a work and life balance, the survey also revealed that one in three felt a career as a personal trainer or fitness instructor would offer the best balance, along with 30 per cent for a teacher, 11 per cent for a banker and just six per cent for a doctor.

For more information about training in fitness, visit www.lifetimehf.co.uk, www.passionate-about-fitness.co.uk or call 0870 702 7273.