Virgin Active has employed eight lifeguards at its new site in Falmer, Brighton, following free training and qualifications provided by SWIM UK.

The eight new staff, all of whom completed their Royal Life Saving Society National Pool Lifeguard Qualification for free with SWIM UK as part of their Sporting Solutions programme, were previously receiving Job Seekers Allowance, but are now working part or full-time within the leisure industry.

Paul Smith MD, of SWIM UK said: “I can’t think of better evidence to reflect the effectiveness of our short courses in getting people skilled and into a new career.”

Formed by Smith in 1995, the company originally provided training to the staff of Brighton Swimming School to become lifeguards and swimming teachers.

Swim UK courses are now offered to those working within the leisure industry, schools and swimming clubs, as well as free courses to job seekers which have been introduced to help the unemployed develop careers in leisure.