Employment Outlook

The employment outlook will be moderate for Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness (54100) in Prince Edward Island for the 2022-2024 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.
• A moderate number of positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.
• Due to the seasonal nature of this occupation, employment opportunities tend to be more favourable during the summer months.

With indications of tight labour market conditions, the prospect for employment in this occupation is expected to be favorable over the forecast period. 

Continued population growth by way of immigration will support the demand for workers in this occupation over the forecast period. Many potential employers are non-profit organizations. As a result employment opportunities may be affected by the availability of funding. This occupation is highly seasonal and provides employment opportunities for students during the summer months, especially for lifeguards and camp counsellors.

Employers in some rural regions may find it more difficult to attract local workers during seasonal peaks. Demand for labour in this field also results from a high turnover rate due to student workers going back to school or leaving for other fields.

Here are some key facts about Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness in Prince Edward Island:

• Approximately 300 people work in this occupation.
• Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 69%
  • Other schools and instruction (NAICS 6115-6117): 15%
  • Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 9%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 56% compared to 84% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 44% compared to 16% for all occupations
• 28% of program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness work all year, while 71% work only part of the year, compared to 59% and 41% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 30 weeks compared to 41 weeks for all occupations.
• 28% of program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness are self-employed compared to an average of 13% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 49% compared to 51% for all occupations
  • Women: 51% compared to 49% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: 20% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 36% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 11% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor’s: 17% compared to 25% for all occupations
  • bachelor’s degree: 22% compared to 17% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations

Source: Job Bank

Prevailing Wages