University feeling good about jobs in wellness industry of the future

A new degree at the University of Derby will meet a big UK demand for skilled workers – in jobs which don’t yet exist.

Wellness – keeping people healthier and more productive for longer – is an industry which will become more important as life expectancy increases, the fifth annual Spa and Wellness Conference at the University’s Buxton Campus heard.

And a new degree preparing the wellness managers of the future will see its graduates meet a demand already identified for jobs which may not exist yet  – but soon will, Dr Sarah Rawlinson, Head of the School of Hotel, Resort and Spa Management, told delegates.

“The future in health care is not to just look at illness. Instead, wellness aims to look at the whole person and community,” she said.

“Individuals who manage their lifestyles are healthier, more productive, take fewer days off work and make fewer demands on medical services. We will make sure all of this is combined in our degree.”

Few people could have predicted the success of the University’s Spa Degrees, the first of their kind when they were set up 12 years ago, but now recognised by one industry leader as the best in the world.

Dr Rawlinson added: “We are always in front of the curve. We are confident that when people graduate from our wellness degree, jobs will be there. We know that wellness jobs in the UK are going to be a big area of employment.”

A record 150 delegates came to the Spa and Wellness Conference, which provides spa industry professionals and academics with a chance to engage and contribute to discussions and gain exposure to recent global research.

The University’s Spa students found out about the latest developments and took part in workshops led by professionals, who could be their future employers.

Victoria Rosamond, Programme Leader of the BSc (Hons) International Spa Management at the University, said: “Every year the demand for places from external delegates and industry leaders has grown, which makes the experience even better for our students.

“This underpins the success of our spa management programmes, which have been described as the best in the world by leading Swedish spa expert Anna Bjurstam. It also shows students how well placed the University is within the spa industry and demonstrates how what we do here is valued by the professionals.”

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Opening the Conference was Peter Cohen, TV motivational speaker and performance coach who has worked with world class sporting stars including Sally Gunnell, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Ellen Macarthur, Roger Black, the Kent County Cricket Team, and Arsenal FC.