The Leisure Industry

As a sector that has seen enormous growth and expansion into new areas, job categories range from fitness, spa, and cheffing to travel, tourism, recreation and hospitality. These types of jobs have both with short and long-term prospects with very competitive salaries. In fact, it is commonplace to find managers on 30,000, but top managers can make up to 100,000 pa.

This truly international industry offers opportunities to work in the UK or abroad. Temporary or permanent, with or without specific qualifications you will find casual jobs or those with true potential to climb the career ladder. The industry is becoming increasingly business minded. People who can demonstrate management and business skills are highly sought after. The new generation of health clubs now include cinemas, bowling, restaurants, spaís in addition to the usual fitness facilities, so managers have to be capable of running many different types of departments simultaneously.

The unique aspect about this particular industry, and one that makes it so popular, is that you work in fun and social environments. Even better is that you could be securing a job that turns your favourite hobby into cash. You could be sailing the seas, working in the latest health club or hotel, running a casino, coaching the rich and famous or enjoying ski season ñ all whilst earning money, and in the case of cruise ships, earning tax free money!

The Industry in Figures
As a high growth area, the UK leisure industry is becoming increasingly important to our economy, contributing 10% of UK gross domestic product (GDP) to the economy. It employs 13.5% of all workers, equating to more than three million people.

Health, Fitness & Recreation
In the last year (2006-7) the UK health and fitness market has grown in value by 4% to almost 2.5 billion*. It is also reported that the UK market now has more members than at any time in its 20-year history. With nearly 90% of the UK population now living within two miles of a private or public health club UK consumers now have a choice, on average, of seven private health clubs within two miles of where the live and two public health and fitness facilities. What does this mean to you? Jobs, and lots of them. You can now select from management, reception, administration, marketing, sales, retail, physiotherapy, cheffing or the many physical coaching positions.

An interesting trend in the health & fitness sector is that new clubs are often multi-purpose facilities meaning that they now include cinemas, bowling, restaurants and other recreational facilities as well as swimming, tennis, fitness, and spa. This means amazing challenges for managers of these new types of clubs who will need experience in many areas. If you were particularly career driven getting a foot in the door of one of these facilities would be a smart move.

There are also many opportunities use fitness skills to work abroad be it in destinations including the Caribbean, Greece, Turkey, Egypt and or cruising over the globe.

Leisurejobs.co.uk offers free career advice on its website and has hundredís of jobs nationwide including positions in leading chains like David Lloyd leisure, Next Generation, Esporta, Cannons, Virgin Active, Fitness First Mega Bowl, Hollywood Bowl, Camp America and top tourist attractions such as Alton Towers, Madame Tussards and the London Eye.

The Spa and Beauty Industry
With the increased pace of life and consumers eternal quest to make themselves look as good as possible this industry is on the up. With over 14,000 businesses in the UK, the industry employs 35,000 people and receives 92 million clients each year. Its turnover is estimated at 500 million pounds and there is room for expansion.

In addition to beauty therapist positions for which you need a recognised qualification you could work as a manager, sales rep, retail manager, marketer or receptionist. You can work aboard a cruise ship, at hotel spaís across the world or in the UK, and depending on location, pay starts at between 12-14,000 but can quickly rise to 19,000 or more. Managers of a hotel spa can earn over 50,000.

A must for this industry is good communications skills and flexibility to work weekends and evenings. You must be well turned out and confident at selling products and treatments.

Leisurejobs.co.uk currently hold positions with big brand businesses including Clarins, Elizabeth Arden, Aveda, Champneyís and Regis health & beauty along with signature spaís The Grove and The Retreat at Harrods.