Marvin OnumonuUK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) funding has boosted recruitment in leisure services at North East Derbyshire District Council.
£20,000 of funding went into training for staff and residents since July 2025.
People gained qualifications for roles like leisure attendant, gymnastics instructor, swimming teacher and NPLQ trainer assessor.
The funding has created a steady pipeline of new instructors and lifeguards.
This means more local classes and swimming sessions can run with qualified staff.
Residents have more access to fitness and swimming lessons, and those who qualified now have secure jobs in health and wellbeing.
Additionally, the scheme helped fill posts that were hard to recruit for.
It removed financial barriers to training, making it easier for people to start a new career in leisure.
So far, the support paid for six people to become British gymnastics activity instructors and level 1 instructors, six swimming instructors to get level 1 and 2 teaching awards, and 17 pool lifeguards.
Five of the swimming instructors are now in work.
The newly trained staff are working at Eckington, Dronfield and Clay Cross leisure centres.
They include upskilled staff, volunteers who joined the workforce and residents who changed careers.
Councillor Kathy Rouse, Portfolio Holder for Health and Leisure at North East Derbyshire District Council, said: “It’s great to see the UK Shared Prosperity Fund being utilised to help upskill residents in North East Derbyshire through this important training, helping to further their careers, whilst also contributing to the success of our Leisure Centres.
“Congratulations to those who have qualified, we look forward to seeing you poolside!”
