RLSS lifeguard qualification receives UCAS points

The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s (RLSS UK) National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) has been approved for UCAS Tariff points from May 2024, to enhance the appeal of lifeguarding among students even further and alleviate lifeguard shortages across the UK and Ireland.

NPLQ now carries eight UCAS Tariff points after being elevated to a Level 3 qualification and being officially registered with UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) – which will help students secure a place at university or further studies.

Lifeguard shortages remain a critical issue in the health and fitness industry.

Yet, according to CIMSPA’s 2023 Workforce Insights Report, lifeguarding ranks among the most sought-after skills by employers, with 40% of job postings for sports and leisure assistants in 2022 requiring lifeguarding expertise.

“Students are a viable solution for operators looking to address lifeguard shortages and their vacancies,” said Jo Talbot, commercial director from RLSS UK.

“Recognising that students are much more likely to relocate for university and college, we urge operators to assist lifeguards in transferring to other swimming pools during their studies to retain these skills, keep facilities safe and return to their jobs during holiday periods or after studying.”

Statistics from RLSS UK’s 2023 Lifeguard Survey demonstrate the popularity of lifeguarding among students, with two-thirds of the 2,456 current lifeguards surveyed enrolled in full or part-time education.