Fife Sports and Leisure Trust is inviting people aged 16 and over to apply for fully funded places on its upcoming National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ), starting this March. To secure a place, applicants must attend a Lifeguard Assessment Centre on Saturday 14th March, 9:00am – 2:00pm at Cowdenbeath Leisure Centre. Successful candidates will then progress to the five-day training course from Monday 23rd – Friday 27th March at no cost. 

The Assessment Centre will include a short water skills test and an interview, giving candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their swimming ability, learn more about the role, and ask questions before beginning formal training. 

The NPLQ is the essential qualification required to become a Lifeguard. The 36-hour course typically costs £280, but thanks to funding from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, alongside Kingdom Works, the full cost will be covered, helping to remove financial barriers and widen access to careers in the leisure sector. 

Sharron Johnstone, Operations Manager at Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to start or develop a career in the leisure industry. By fully funding the qualification through our Train Smart: Active Careers initiative, we’re removing a key barrier and giving people the chance to step into an active, rewarding role. The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification equips candidates with vital life-saving and first aid skills while opening the door to long-term pathways within sport and active communities.” 

The RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification is the most awarded lifeguard qualification in the UK and Ireland. More than 40,000 lifeguards qualify through the NPLQ each year. Fife Sports and Leisure Trust is proud to have achieved an excellent RLSS UK rating for its NPLQ training programme, reflecting the high standards of instruction and support provided to trainees.  

A career as a lifeguard offers far more than poolside supervision. It provides valuable life-saving skills, first aid expertise, teamwork experience and leadership development, while offering flexible working patterns including days, evenings and weekends. It can be an ideal first job, a part-time opportunity, or a stepping stone into wider roles within sport, leisure, and wellbeing services. 

Applicants must: 

• Be aged 16 or over. 

• Be a competent swimmer. 

• Attend the Assessment Centre on Saturday 14th March. 

• Be available for the full training week (23rd – 27th March). 

• Be willing to work rotating shifts, including days, evenings and weekends. 

Funding applications will be considered from applications who meet the essential criteria. Spaces are limited, so early applications are encouraged. Applications close 7th March 2026. 

To apply for a place at the Assessment Centre, applicants should visit: https://myjobscotland.gov.uk/460247 

For more information about Fife Sports and Leisure Trust and career opportunities, go to: https://www.fifeleisure.org.uk/