2008 in focus: Working in Fitness Survey

Liz Smith, SkillsActive - 04/12/2008

The annual UK Working in Fitness Survey is a well established, confidential survey conducted online by SkillsActive and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs).

This is the fifth year we have conducted the survey and the report provides comparisons of salary levels, job satisfaction and spending on training and development. The survey was conducted in the summer of 2008, before the full impact of the economic downturn. The survey is open to all those working in the industry on a full or part-time basis, self-employed individuals, as well as anyone who works within a leisure centre, private health club or directly with clients.

In representing the views of staff we can help employers see what the industry is doing well and where improvement is needed. This year’s results indicate that fitness professionals are planning for a long-term future in the industry, feel valued by their employers and training is satisfactory. However, where there is dissatisfaction in the fitness workforce, links can be made to remuneration package, career prospects and the levels or relevance of training and development.

In 2008, we found that:

• Four-fifths of workers expect to be in the industry for at least five years
• Full-time senior management earn an average £31,000
• 29% are satisfied with their remuneration package
• Overall, 80% would recommend their employer
• One third of workers who undertook no training would not recommend their employer
• An average of £484 per worker was spent on training and development in last 12 months
• 45% of workers pay for their own training.

For a copy of the full report click here.