Sport and Leisure Careers Fair Showcases Diverse Opportunities in the Highlands

As part of Scottish Careers Week (11-15 November), Developing the Young Workforce Inverness & Central Highland (DYWICH) hosted a successful Sport and Leisure Careers Fair at Inverness Royal Academy on Thursday 14 November.

The event inspired young people by showcasing the variety of career paths available in the sport and leisure industries in the Highlands.

The Careers Fair featured a broad range of exhibitors, including fitness venues such as High Life Highland, outdoor industry leaders like Aban Outdoor and Bowhunter Archery, athlete Greg Williamson, the British National Downhill Champion and sports organisations Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Highland Rugby Club. Representatives from Highland Disability Sport, Robust Physio and UHI also attended, highlighting auxiliary roles in sports health and development.

Ben MacKay, DYW School Coordinator at Inverness Royal Academy, who organised the event, highlighted the importance of introducing young people to these career paths: “There’s a real opportunity here for students to see the variety of careers available to them in sport and leisure, right in their local area. This event is about connecting young people with industry professionals, and we hope to inspire the next generation of coaches, instructors, and health professionals to fill the gaps that the pandemic left behind.”

Jane Chisholm, Teacher of Physical Education said of the event, “We are delighted to work with DYW to showcase the diversity of opportunities within sport and leisure. We have a strong history of pupils from Inverness Royal Academy continuing to study coaching, sport science or PE teaching as well as becoming professionals within the fitness and outdoor industries and we wanted to inspire current pupils to follow in their footsteps.”

James Martin, High Life Highland Director of Sport, Leisure & Safeguarding: “This Careers Fair is a unique opportunity for students to see the range of career options in sport and leisure that are available right here in the Inverness area. From fitness instruction to sports leadership, coaching, and support roles, the sector offers diverse pathways for young people looking to build their careers in an active, dynamic field. The event also enables High Life Highland to showcase, as a charity, how it is making life better through the Active Schools Programmes, DYWICH and our partners by supporting the growth and development of young people, the rise of sport as a career in the Highlands, and local community talent.”

The event took place over two class periods and a lunchtime session. The first period focused on Higher PE, Exercise and Fitness Leadership, and Team Sports students, while the second targeted S4 National 5 pupils. The lunchtime session was open to all pupils, providing a chance for wider student engagement.