54100 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness

What this occupation covers

Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. Fitness appraisers conduct fitness tests and assessments and design, develop and deliver fitness programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes, correctional institutions, government departments, private businesses, tourism associations and similar establishments.

Official main duties

The NOC profile lists 17 main duties for this code.

• Plan and carry out recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
• Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
• Demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques
• Instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities and lead groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs
• Attend to clients with special needs
• Provide lifestyle awareness information
• Conduct therapeutic recreational or athletic activities
• Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to ensure safety and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
• Enforce safety rules and regulations
• Assist with coordination of special events
• Schedule activities, keep logs, maintain records and prepare reports
• May train and supervise staff
• May maintain and repair sports equipment.
• Assess individual's physical fitness through fitness tests and assessments and design fitness programs based on results
• Provide information to the public and individuals on lifestyle and methods to improve and maintain physical fitness and weight
• Measure and record individuals' bodily proportions, weight and body mass index
• Handle equipment to conduct fitness tests and assessments and deliver exercise programs.

Do not copy these lines into your reference letter. The letter has to describe what you actually did, in your employer’s words. DUTYPROOF flags wording lifted from the NOC as something to review, and an officer reading a letter that mirrors the NOC reads it the same way.

What DUTYPROOF screens for

This is DUTYPROOF’s screening threshold, not IRCC’s decision. For this NOC, screening requires at least 3 of its 17 official duties to be evidenced in your own words, plus the required letter elements. IRCC asks that you performed the actions in the occupation’s lead statement and a substantial number of its main duties — so treat the duty coverage as the number that matters, not the badge.

Codes this one is confused with

The NOC profile names these itself. Choosing the wrong code of a look-alike pair is the most common way genuine work experience fails to establish eligibility.

• 43109 Other instructors
• 41406 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 50012 Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors

Excluded from this code

• Other instructors (See 43109 Other instructors)
• Recreation supervisor (See 41406 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
• Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors (See 50012 Recreation, sports and fitness program and service directors)
• Sports supervisor (See 41406 Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers)

Job titles filed under this code

A title on this list does not by itself put your experience in this code — the duties in your letter decide that.

activities leader - seniors · aerobics instructor · arts and crafts instructor · arts and crafts leader · arts and crafts leader - sports and recreation · arts and leisure leader · arts and recreation leader · athletics instructor · beach lifeguard · bowling instructor · bridge instructor · bridge teacher · callisthenics instructor · camp coordinator · camp counsellor · camp leader · certified fitness appraiser · certified personal trainer · chess instructor · cultural activities leader · day camp counsellor - recreation · day camp leader · dressage instructor · fencing instructor

Employment requirements

• Completion of secondary school is usually required.
• Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education or extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is usually required.
• Certification is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as ski instructor or personal trainer, or in first aid or emergency care.
• Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
• Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.