A Pool Lifeguard with Minister for Education and Training Sue Ellery and Royal Life Saving WA CEO Peter Leaversuch by the pool at Aqualife
Getting Skills Ready for aquatic jobs
Royal Life Saving WA is excited to be working with the McGowan Government to ensure WA is summer-ready to meet a State-wide demand for pool lifeguards and swimming instructors. A recent survey of WA's public aquatic centre managers found that 53% believe they don't have enough staff to meet demand heading into summer.
Two nationally recognised short courses - the Pool Lifeguard Skill Set and Swimming and Water Safety Teacher Skill Set - will fast-track participants into entry-level pool lifeguarding and swimming instructor roles in time for the aquatic industry's busiest period of the year. Royal Life Saving WA will deliver the new 'job ready' short courses, which are fee-free for concession students, certain age groups and jobseekers, as part of the WA Recovery Plan.
The Swimming and Water Safety Teacher Skill Set will teach participants how to perform water rescues, and teach water familiarisation, buoyancy and a variety of swimming strokes. The Pool Lifeguard Skill Set will teach participants how to perform water rescues, administer first aid and oxygen, and supervise in an aquatic environment.
Each course can be used as credit toward further qualifications including the Certificate III in Aquatics and Community Recreation, which is a pathway to a wider range of employment opportunities across the leisure and aquatic recreation industry, or further study. Course fees will apply to non-concession eligible students.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery says this is an important initiative. "Spending time around the water is part of the Western Australian way of life and these new courses will ensure swimming is safe and learning how to swim is accessible. These new pathways are a great opportunity for young people and jobseekers to secure year-round work that offers flexible hours and makes a real difference in the community. They will not only lead to jobs that are available right now, they can also be used as a stepping stone to further study, providing pathways to roles in management and program co-ordination across the community recreation field."
Royal Life Saving WA has been working for some time to address a persistent shortage of Swim Instructors across WA, especially in regional areas. CEO Peter Leaversuch says these courses are an important step. "They will ensure Royal Life Saving can effectively train the required staff to fill positions across the State. Learning swimming and water safety skills is vital to ensure all WA children can safely participate on, in and around water, and is the single most important investment we can make as a community to prevent drowning."
You can find out more information about these new Skills Ready courses, and register your interest at the link below.
