A holiday centre worker works in a number of areas such as reception, catering or entertainment on a holiday park, camping and caravan site or activity centre.

The Work

You could be:

• welcoming new arrivals to the holiday centre and checking them in
• working in the catering area preparing and serving food and drink
• cleaning accommodation and communal areas
• arranging a programme of games and activities for adults and children
• encouraging holidaymakers to join in the activities
• organising and leading games, arts and crafts and competitions for children
• sometimes singing, dancing or acting in shows
• answering enquiries and solving problems
• carrying out specialised duties, such as fitness instruction, cooking, childminding, swimming pool supervision, administration and reception work.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates vary a lot, depending on the specific type of job you do at the holiday centre and whether live-in accommodation is available.

Starting pay is often based on the National Minimum Wage (NMW) or the National Living Wage (NLW).

As of 1 April 2024 the National Minimum Wage is £6.40 an hour for workers under 18, £8.60 an hour for workers aged 18 to 20. The National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over is £11.44 an hour. With experience or moving into a supervisory position, you could earn around £7.50 an hour.

If the job comes with live-in accommodation an amount may be deducted from the hourly rate to cover the cost.

Conditions

• You work long hours usually over six days a week, including mornings, evenings, nights and weekends.
• You might work split shifts, where you work part of the day then have a few hours off and work again in the evening.
• Work is seasonal, generally mainly available in spring, summer and early autumn.
• You might live-in at the park or centre for the whole season, sharing accommodation with other workers.
• You may be away from home a few months at a time, with no personal holidays during this time.
• Holiday centres can be on the coast, in rural areas or near towns.
• You might work both indoors and outdoors.
• There might be lifting, carrying and running about.
• You usually wear a company uniform.

Useful Subjects

• Drama
• SfW Hospitality
• SfW Travel and Tourism

Getting In

• A good general education is useful.
• Musical or sports ability is useful if you want to work in the entertainment department.
• Experience in play schemes or youth clubs is useful. It also helps to have experience of dealing with the public and handling money.
• You usually need professional childcare qualifications to work with younger children. You may also need a first aid certificate.
• It helps to have IT skills and maths skills for doing office work and dealing with money.
• You may require a satisfactory criminal record check from Disclosure Scotland to show that you are suitable for this type of work. Contact Disclosure Scotland for details on the type you would need.
• If you are in live-in accommodation, you must be over 18.
• A driving licence may be useful.

Vacancies appear on trade websites such as Travel Weekly. You can also check websites of large companies such as Bourne Leisure. The main recruitment drive is usually between October and April.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

4039

4.3 %

RISE

2029

4214

  United Kingdom

2024

57356

4.1 %

RISE

2029

59680

LMI data powered by Lightcast

What Does it Take?

You need:

• enthusiasm and stamina
• a friendly and helpful personality
• a smart appearance
• good spoken and written communication skills
• initiative.

You should have:

• good organisational skills
• a sense of humour
• patience
• a caring approach if working with children
• the ability to deal with emergencies and remain calm under pressure.

Training

• Training would mostly be on the job.
• You would complete in-house training covering things like company policies and health and safety.

Getting On

• Some people work in this field for only a few seasons and then move on to a second career.
• If you work for a large firm you might get promotion to a senior position, such as entertainment or restaurant manager or head receptionist.
• Some companies also operate parks and centres abroad, so you may have the opportunity to work in another country.
• You may want to move to other areas of travel and tourism such as tourist information centres, travel agencies or the hotel industry.

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Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.