Marine careers

You can get into this job through:

• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• training with professional bodies

Apprenticeship

You can complete a leisure team member intermediate apprenticeship to get into this role.

As well as learning how to perform the duties of a lifeguard, on this apprenticeship you will also learn more about the duties of a:swimming teacher; gym instructor; group activities coach

Entry requirements

To get onto an apprenticeship, you'll find it useful to have:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements
• guide to apprenticeships

Work

You may be able to work as a pool attendant or assistant, for example in a leisure centre, and take lifeguard qualifications on the job.

Other routes

If you want to work as a pool lifeguard you'll need one of the following qualifications:

• National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ)
• Level 2 Award for Pool Lifeguard

To be a beach lifeguard, you'll need to complete the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification (NVBLQ).

You can complete the qualifications by:

• joining a local club as a volunteer and training with them
• training with a professional body

You can also apply to train and work with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

• To take a pool lifeguard qualification you'll need to be able to:jump or dive into deep water; swim 50 metres in less than 60 seconds; swim 100 metres continuously on front and back in deep water; tread water for 30 seconds; surface dive to the floor of the pool; climb out of the pool unaided without using ladders or steps
• To qualify as a beach lifeguard you must have a good level of fitness and be able to swim in the sea to take the National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification. You'll also need to be able to:complete a 400m pool swim in less than eight minutes; make a surface dive to a depth of 1.5 metres; tread water for two minutes; climb out of deep water unaided
• You'll have to demonstrate these skills as part of an assessment.
• be over 16 years of age
• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults
• be able to swim

More information

Career tips

You may find it helpful to have a first aid qualification when applying for jobs.

Further information

You can find out more about training to be a pool or beach lifeguard and gaining experience through volunteering, from:Careers in Aquatics; Royal Life Saving Society UK; Swimming Teachers' Association; Surf Life Saving GB

You could become a leisure centre manager with the National Pool Management Qualification.

Some pool lifeguards get swimming teaching or coaching qualifications and give swimming lessons. You could also train and lead a team of lifeguards.

You could compete in lifeguarding competitions.