Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
Career Ladder
Learn About The Arts, Entertainment &
Recreation Career Path
Advance your skills and learn what it takes to move up the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation Career Ladder!
Each career level contains information about wages, job descriptions, main job duties, examples of job titles, general skills, and links to educational and training opportunities. Select one of the levels to learn more.
To explore other career ladders, please visit our Career Ladders page. If you have further questions about local labour market information, email helpdesk@wdb.ca or visit wdb.ca.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Varies
Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program & Service Directors
$36.22
Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program Supervisors
$35.99
Coaches
$23.65
Program Leaders & Instructors in Recreation, Sport & Fitness
$19.05
Operators & Attendants in Amusement, Recreation & Sport
$17.46
*median hourly wage as of October 1, 2024
Operators & Attendants in Amusement, Recreation & Sport
Wages
Low
$17.20
Median
$17.46
High
$21.16
Main Job Duties
- Drive trucks, vans and other vehicles to transport amusement rides, games and other attractions to amusement attraction sites
- Collect tickets and fees, and rent or sell sports and accessory equipment or sell tickets
- Schedule the use of recreational facilities and set up rides, game concessions and other amusement attractions
- Operate recreational facility equipment, rides and other attractions safely
- Clean and maintain recreational facilities and grounds
Skills
Communication Skills
Organizational Skills
Sales First Aid
Job Title Examples
Campground Worker
Golf Course Attendant
Park Attendant
Park Receptionist
Education & Training
Some secondary school may be required.
On-the-job training is usually provided.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Academic Upgrading
Post-Secondary Education
CERTIFICATION COURSES
OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Program Leaders & Instructors in Recreation, Sport & Fitness
Wages
Low
$17.20
Median
$19.05
High
$30.00
Main Job Duties
- Plan, demonstrate or instruct various recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
- Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
- Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities and enforce safety rules and regulations
- Provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
- Attend to group arrivals and departures
- Assist clients with special needs, provide lifestyle awareness information or conduct therapeutic recreational activities
- May train and supervise staff
Skills
Communication Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Management
Job Title Examples
Camp Counsellor
Lifeguard
Outdoor Educator
Personal Trainer
Sports Instructor
Education & Training
Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
Completion of secondary school education is usually required.
Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education is usually required.
Certification and/or experience is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as, a ski instructor or personal trainer, fitness instructor specialist, or in first aid or emergency care.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Academic Upgrading
Post-Secondary Education
ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATION EXAMPLES
- Canadian Ski Instructors’ Alliance (CSIA) – Ski Instructor
- canfitpro – Personal Trainer and Program Instructor
- Personal Trainer Certification Course (CFES) – Personal Trainer
- Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology – Personal Trainer
- Canadian Golf Teachers Federation (CGTF) – Golf Instructor
- Gymnastics Ontario – Gymnastics Instructor
- Lifesaving Society – Swimming Instructor
- Canadian Yoga Alliance (CYA) – Yoga Instructor
- Lifesaving Society – First Aid
OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Coaches
Wages
Low
$18.39
Median
$23.65
High
$42.56
Main Job Duties
- Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes and teams
- Motivate, nurture and prepare athletes or teams to develop skills and abilities needed for competitive events
- Formulate competitive strategies, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events
- Analyze athletes’ or teams’ performances and modify training programs
- Identify, evaluate and recruit future athletes for professional sports teams
Skills
First Aid Planning
Organizational Skills
Leading & Motivating
Job Title Examples
Gymnastics Coach
Head Coach
Hockey Scout
Sports Coach
Baseball Coach
Education & Training
Experience in and technical knowledge of the sport is required.
Completion of the National Coaching Certificate Program (NCCP) is usually required.
A post-secondary degree in physical education may be required.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE
ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CERTIFICATION EXAMPLES
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program Supervisors
Wages
Low
$25.33
Median
$35.99
High
$49.54
Main Job Duties
- Develop, plan and coordinate sports, fitness and recreation programs and sporting events
- Supervise program leaders and volunteers, oversee training and set work schedules
- Collaborate with community partners to research existing programs, resources and best practices
- Promote and advise community groups, corporations, schools and other organizations about recreation, sports and fitness program and activities
- Resolve customer complaints
- Provide expert advice and consulting services on the administration of sports programs or recreation policy
Skills
Coordinating
Leadership
Customer Service
Job Title Examples
Aquatic Supervisor
Camp Coordinator
Fitness Coordinator
Recreation Supervisor
Education & Training
A university degree in recreation, or sports administration, physical education, kinesiology or related discipline or a college diploma in a recreation, sports and fitness program is required.
Several years of experience in a related field as a program leader or instructor in recreation, sports and fitness is required.
Certification in program specialization, such as fitness or lifesaving, may be required.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE
ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ONTARIO BACHELOR IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR BUSINESS
ONTARIO BACHELOR OF KINESIOLOGY
CERTIFICATION EXAMPLES
OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Recreation, Sports & Fitness Program & Service Directors
Wages
Low
$25.47
Median
$36.22
High
$49.77
Main Job Duties
- Establish objectives, direct and control the operations of recreation, sports and fitness programs and services
- Prepare budgets, monitor revenues and expenses and develop policies and procedures to implement programs
- Provide technical and professional advice on recreation, sports and fitness matters
- Recruit program leaders and coaches and direct managers and supervisors or other executive staff
- Develop long range plans and negotiate business contracts with suppliers for the provision of materials and supplies
- Lead and manage fundraising drives and arrange for sponsorships from public and private organizations
Skills
Customer Service
Leadership
Management Sales
Job Title Examples
Fitness Club Manager
Leisure Programs Manager
Recreation Manager
Recreation and Sports Director
Education & Training
A university degree in recreology, physical education or sports administration or a college diploma in recreation management or sports administration is usually required.
Several years of experience as a supervisor or coordinator within the recreation, sports and fitness industry is usually required.
A coaching certification in a particular sport or a Municipal Recreation Director’s Certificate may be required.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) – Sports & Hospitality & Tourism
FLEMING COLLEGE
Post-Secondary Education
ONTARIO COLLEGE DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE
ONTARIO BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
ONTARIO BACHELOR IN SPORTS MANAGEMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR BUSINESS
ONTARIO BACHELOR OF SPORT PSYCHOLOGY
CERTIFICATION EXAMPLE
OTEC – ONTARIO TOURISM EDUCATION CORPORATION
SERVICE PROVIDERS
Find your local employment service provider here or adult education and training provider here and contact them for current retail training programs such as:
- Occupational-specific training, career planning, job search, resume writing, or government-funded programs
- Upgrading and skills development including grade 12 support, customer service, money math, computers, and more
Online job posting numbers are designated via key word search and may not reflect the exact number of search results for this occupation.
Entrepreneur / Business Owner
Approximately 1,450 new businesses are launched annually in the WDB region.
Main Job Duties
- Create and manage a business plan, including ongoing research and planning, and time management
- Secure funding, maintain business bank accounts, payments processing, taxes and general bookkeeping
- Develop marketing campaigns, manage social media and conduct other marketing activities
- Respond to customer service inquiries, including answer phone calls and emails to build a positive reputation for the business
- Recruit and manage employees
Skills
Customer Service
Organization
Time Management
Accounting
Job Title Examples
Small Business Owner
Franchisee
Education & Training
Grant for students aged 15 to 29 to start a new summer business
Grant for Canadians 18+ to start a new business or grow a business that has been in operations for fewer than five years
Financing, mentorship and community support for local small businesses
Supports entrepreneurs in the formation and growth of tech-driven companies
Continuing Education
Continuing Education
We would like to acknowledge the support made by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and Regional Tourism Organization 8 for this project.
Sources:
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
Lightcast (2023.3)
Job Bank
Job posting data is from WDB Local Jobs Hub (WDB Region)
