Derbyshire Dales leisure centres seek four more sporty apprentices

Derbyshire Dales leisure centres seek four more sporty apprentices

Personal trainer Jess Guest is the latest young person to land her ideal job thanks to a sports and leisure apprenticeship with Derbyshire Dales District Council.

Jess, who is 18 and from Morton,  now works  full-time at Arc Leisure in Matlock after studying via Derby College while gaining valuable on-site work experience.  

Derby College has been delivering training to the district council’s apprenticeship scheme for more than five years now and this strong relationship is shaping up well. And, more young people can gain similar skills to Jess’s as the council is currently seeking four more apprentices. 

Dave Turvey, Active Communities Officer with Derbyshire Dales District Council, said: “We’re looking to fill leisure attendant vacancies at Arc and at our leisure centres at Ashbourne and Bakewell. We also want to take on a Reception apprentice at Arc.

“Our apprentices become good all-rounders.  As part of their training they learn different skills including lifeguarding, swimming coaching and fitness as well as helping out on Reception. They also have the chance to acquire other qualifications alongside their NVQs in areas such as health and safety. 

“Although their apprenticeship won’t guarantee them employment, it will give them the edge over other candidates when applying for jobs. 

“Jess, for example, beat several other  more experienced applicants to her job because of the wide range of skills she’d  learned while an apprentice at Arc. 

“Most of our former apprentices are in full-time employment, either with us or with other leisure providers.  Joe Harrison, who started out as a leisure attendant apprentice in Bakewell, is now managing a leisure centre in Alfreton.” 

Jess, who took PE at GCSE while at St Mary’s RC High School in Chesterfield, has taken part in competitive sport from a young age. A former swimmer with the City of Derby Swimming Club, she used to train with Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty, who is also a former Derby College student. 

In her personal training role, Jess helps people of all ages and abilities to achieve their fitness goals, as well as showing them healthy new ways to shed excess pounds and build muscle tone. She also teaches aerobics and swimming, and has also introduced Pound – a cardiovascular workout which involves Pilates and drumming. 

Arc is among only a handful of centres to offer Pound in Derbyshire and Jess’s classes are very popular. 

Jess, who is currently working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training through Derby College, added:  “I was working at Arc on a casual basis when I noticed the apprenticeship vacancy and decided to apply. 

“I’m so glad I did. “There’s so much variety in my job – I’m not doing the same thing every day.  

“Derby College has been very supportive too. I work shifts and weekends and I’m assessed on site, but my tutor is always very helpful whenever I need advice.” 

For more information on all the apprenticeship opportunities at Derby College, please visit www.derby-college.ac.uk

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