ISLINGTON leisure centres are looking for 12 paid apprentices to take part in an award-winning training scheme.

Aquaterra, the charity that runs seven Islington leisure centres, will run the scheme in partnership with City and Islington College.

The only qualifications needed are enthusiasm and an interest in sports, but a GCSE in Maths and English are desirable.

Penny Shrubb, who manages the scheme, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer opportunities in Islington for people to gain experience and training in key aspects of the leisure industry.

“I’m excited for Aquaterra and for the candidates themselves.”

The scheme is the first of its kind in Islington, but Aquaterra already runs one in Bath, which has trained up 70 apprentices so far.

The apprentices will be paid �100 for a 40 hour week, where they will spend four days getting practical experience in the centres and one day in college.

They will get four weeks fixed holidays and membership and will come out with new qualifications but will be expected to work some evenings and weekends.

Fifty per cent of Aquaterra’s staff in Bath are either current or former apprentices.

Applications can be downloaded from www.aquaterra.org/jobs and the deadline is 24th February.