New Employer Academy: Your Space Worksop
Together with Your Space Worksop, RNN Group is launching a new Employer Academy to help North Notts College learners explore careers in sport, health and fitness. Starting from September 2026, Sport students of all ages can gain industry experience and use professional fitness facilities as part of their course.
Inside Your Space Worksop
Located less than a 10 minute walk from North Notts College, Your Space Worksop is a community fitness hub operated by Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL). Across two floors, the centre features a 28-machine cardio gym, weight room, cycle studios, and sports hall. Two swimming pools complement the gym facilities, alongside a health suite complete with a sauna and steam room.
Serving people of all ages, the centre also runs structured swim academies, supervised junior fitness programmes and instructor-led exercise referral schemes. Group classes include Aquacise, Studio Cycling, BODYPUMP, Yogalates and Zumba.
Sam White, Site Leader at Your Space Worksop said:
“Working on a live gym floor teaches skills you simply can’t simulate in a classroom. Students learn how to interact with real gym members, adapt to different fitness levels, and handle the fast-paced nature of a busy community leisure centre.”
Learning from Industry
Work placements will give learners the chance to build their CVs while developing connections with people working in the sector. Weekly enrichment activities will build on this workplace exposure, helping students understand the different responsibilities involved in running a fitness centre.
Community events will add another practical element, providing learners with an opportunity to support staff in delivering activities and classes. Through these experiences, students will gain a clearer understanding of workplace expectations and the skills required across different roles.
Enzo Guarini, Curriculum Manager at North Notts College, said:
“Stepping out of the traditional classroom and into a multi-million-pound community leisure centre completely changes the dynamic for our students. Having access to specialist spaces such as dedicated spin studios, sports halls and aquatic facilities allows us to deliver a much broader curriculum.”
New Qualifications
Funded qualification opportunities are also being offered to adults aged 19 and over, helping them progress towards a career as a personal trainer or other related roles.
Planned courses start from October 2026 and include:
- Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
- Level 2 Award in Indoor Cycling
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebells
- Level 2 Award in Instructing Circuit Training
Learners can also progress to Level 3 Personal Training and Level 3 Sports Massage.
Nicole, Curriculum Team Leader for Sport at North Notts College said:
“Career shifts shouldn’t be limited by age or cost. By combining funded adult pathways with hands-on experience at Your Space Worksop, we’re opening realistic routes for local residents to retrain and enter the fitness industry.”