INDUSTRY VIEWS
MAKING WAVES STRENGTHENING THE SWIMMING WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE As someone who champions the power of the sport and physical activity workforce every day, I see just how vital swimming is to our sector and the wellbeing of the population. Lifeguards and Swimming Instructors continue to be among the most in-demand roles out there. In 2024 alone, there were 4,721 job postings for Lifeguards and 2,734 for Swimming Instructors, the second and fourth highest in the sector. While demand remains high, recruiting and keeping people in these roles is still a real challenge. Lifeguard job postings have fallen by 12.6% since 2022, and Swimming Instructor roles by 9.2% since 2023. Like many parts of our sector, swimming is feeling the knock-on effects of broader issues, from changes in policy to shrinking public funding. CIMSPA’s Skills Diagnostic Tool lays bare the scale of the problem. Low pay is one of the biggest barriers to attracting new talent – 12% of employers say it’s putting people off (CIMSPA, 2025). While Lifeguard salaries have gone up by 42.1% since 2021, Swimming Instructors have only seen an 8.4% rise, which likely contributes to ongoing recruitment and retention issues. That said, there are positive signs too. Many employers are stepping up to grow their own talent, with 67% offering work experience placements last year, and over half (55%) training apprentices. It shows a real commitment to the future of the workforce, though we know more joined-up support is needed to make these efforts go further. One of the things that makes our sector so accessible is the relatively low formal qualification barrier to entry. In 2024, 91% of Lifeguard job adverts and 81% for Swimming Instructors didn’t ask for any formal education qualifications, and most didn’t require previous experience either. That opens the door for many, but it also means employers need to be prepared to train and support people from day one. The reality is there are clear gaps in core skills which is clear from the skills diagnostics that CIMSPA completes with hundreds of employers across the country. Employers repeatedly flag communication, people skills, and customer service as areas where candidates struggle. These aren’t just ‘nice-to-haves’, they’re essential for keeping people safe, delivering great experiences, and earning the trust of our communities. Upskilling is no longer optional. According to our diagnostic data, 71% of employers say they’ll need to upskill Swimming Instructors within the next two years, and 74% say the same for Lifeguards. But more than half (58%) say they don’t have the resource to release staff for training, with cost another major hurdle. If we’re serious about solving the retention challenge, we need to give people real opportunities to grow in their careers. That means better access to training, more investment, and a joined-up approach to workforce planning. Swimming plays a huge role in keeping our nation active and safe, and it’s time our workforce had the support it needs to reach its full potential.
UK Swimming Industry 2024 Top 10 UK Sport & Physical Activity Roles 2024 Sports Coaches
6,200
Lifeguards
4,721
Personal Trainers
3,589
Swimming Instructors
2,734
Lifeguards and swimming
Football Coaches
2,090
instructors remain some of the most in-demand roles.
Activities Assistants
1,983
Leisure Sales Managers
1,925
TARA DILLON CEO, CIMSPA
Fitness Instructors
1,395
Activities Coordinators
1,200
Employer need for upskilling staff
74% report the need to upskill their lifeguards within the next 12 months 71% report the need to upskill their swimming instructors within the next 12 months BUT... 58% lack the resource to release their staff for training
Data from Lightcast and CIMSPA, 2025.
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STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
STATE OF THE UK FITNESS INDUSTRY REPORT 2023
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STATE OF THE UK SWIMMING INDUSTRY REPORT 2025
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