Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
Occupation · NOC 2021 54100 · Canada
- NOC 2021 code
- 54100
- TEER
- 4
- Positions on positive LMIAs, all lists
- 1,725
- Median wage, Canada
- C$19.00 per hour
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 5,187
OC<CANPROGRAM<LEADERS<AND<INSTRUCTORS<IN<REC 541008<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6
About this occupation
Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness lead and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, sports, fitness or athletic programs. Fitness appraisers conduct fitness tests and assessments and design, develop and deliver fitness programs. They are employed by community centres, sports and fitness clubs, outdoor centres, resorts, recreational facilities, health care facilities, retirement homes, correctional institutions, government departments, private businesses, tourism associations and similar establishments.
Example job titles
- aerobics instructor
- camp counsellor
- certified personal trainer
- day camp leader
- fitness appraiser
- fitness instructor
- gymnastics teacher
- personal trainer
- playground worker
- recreation program leader
- recreation technician
- riding instructor
- ski instructor
- ski patrol
- swimming instructor - sports
Main duties
- This group performs some or all of the following duties:
- Program leaders and instructors in recreation and sport
- Plan and carry out recreational, athletic, fitness and sports activities
- Assemble supplies and sports and game equipment
- Demonstrate and instruct athletic, fitness or sports activities and techniques
- Instruct groups and individuals in arts, crafts and similar activities and lead groups and individuals in recreational or leisure programs
- Attend to clients with special needs
- Provide lifestyle awareness information
- Conduct therapeutic recreational or athletic activities
- Monitor recreational, sports or fitness activities to ensure safety and provide emergency or first aid assistance when required
Employment requirements
- Completion of secondary school is usually required.
- Completion of a college program in recreation or physical education or extensive experience in a specific recreational or sports program activity is usually required.
- Certification is usually required in a specific area of recreational, sports or fitness activity, such as ski instructor or personal trainer, or in first aid or emergency care.
- Demonstrated ability in a particular recreational, sports or fitness discipline is required.
- Fitness appraiser certification may be required for fitness appraisers.
Temporary foreign worker positions (LMIA)
Positions on positive LMIAs in ESDC employer lists, by year of the list.
Approved positions by year
Data table
| 2016 | 187 |
| 2017 | 229 |
| 2018 | 144 |
| 2019 | 227 |
| 2020 | 63 |
| 2021 | 102 |
| 2022 | 247 |
| 2023 | 206 |
| 2024 | 206 |
| 2025 | 110 |
| 2026 | 4 |
- British Columbia1,156
- Alberta265
- Ontario152
- Quebec135
- Saskatchewan8
- Yukon4
- Manitoba3
- Nova Scotia2
- Whistler Blackcomb Employment Corporation561
- Whistler Blackcomb Holdings Inc.84
- Sunshine Village Corporation49
- Wedge Rafting Ltd.49
- Cypress Bowl Recreations42
- Big White Ski Resort Ltd41
- Canadian Outback Rafting Company Ltd39
- Canadian Mountain Holidays LP36
- Mount Washington Pacific ULC33
- Silver Star Ski Resort Ltd33
- Mt Seymour Resorts Ltd24
- Sasquatch LTD Partnership17
- Cypress Bowl Recreations Limited Partnership14
- IGNEOUS ADVENTURE CORP13
- Cypress Mountain13
Work permits
Work permit holders by year the permit took effect, mapped from NOC 2016 where the code has a single NOC 2021 successor (IRCC).
| Year | TFWP permits | IMP permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 20 | 2,955 |
| 2025 | 70 | 2,825 |
| 2024 | 105 | 3,195 |
| 2023 | 140 | 3,405 |
| 2022 | 145 | 2,410 |
| 2021 | 55 | 670 |
| 2020 | 20 | 115 |
| 2019 | 165 | 3,385 |
| 2018 | 185 | 2,740 |
| 2017 | 180 | 2,120 |
| 2016 | 120 | 1,755 |
| 2015 | 140 | 1,670 |
All work permits by year
Data table
| 2015 | 1,810 |
| 2016 | 1,875 |
| 2017 | 2,300 |
| 2018 | 2,925 |
| 2019 | 3,550 |
| 2020 | 135 |
| 2021 | 725 |
| 2022 | 2,555 |
| 2023 | 3,545 |
| 2024 | 3,300 |
| 2025 | 2,895 |
| 2026 | 2,975 |
Permanent residence
Admissions of permanent residents by intended occupation and Express Entry invitations by occupation (IRCC).
New permanent residents by year
Data table
| 2015 | 30 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 60 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 235 |
| 2022 | 40 |
| 2023 | 30 |
- Canadian Experience Class740
- Federal Skilled Worker60
- Provincial Nominee Program30
Wages
Median wage by province and territory (2025 release). Hourly unless marked per year.
| Area | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | C$15.44 | C$19.00 | C$31.00 |
| Alberta | C$15.50 | C$20.00 | C$35.00 |
| British Columbia | C$17.85 | C$23.74 | C$35.00 |
| Manitoba | C$16.00 | C$17.50 | C$24.04 |
| New Brunswick | C$15.65 | C$16.80 | C$25.00 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$16.00 | C$16.00 | C$24.00 |
| Nova Scotia | C$16.50 | C$17.00 | C$24.34 |
| Ontario | C$17.60 | C$18.50 | C$31.00 |
| Quebec | C$16.10 | C$18.75 | C$29.00 |
| Saskatchewan | C$15.35 | C$18.86 | C$28.99 |
- Job Bank postings, Jan–Sep 2026
- 5,187
- Vacancies advertised
- 8,448
- Median advertised minimum hourly wage
- C$22.75
Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more