Young and strong swimmers are being encouraged to participate in free courses to become a pool lifeguard or swimming instructor.
The call comes after Royal Life Saving WA recognised a potential shortage in trained lifeguards and teachers for the 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 busy summer period.
RLSWA 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.
The state government is also providing funding to allow school students to undergo training to become qualified swimming instructors for the Department of Education's VacSwim program.
Eligible Year 11 and 12 students can register now to take part in the training and gain paid employment over the summer holidays during VacSwim.
To be eligible, students must be at least 17 years of age at the start of Term 4.
The training will be available across the metropolitan area and in specific regional centres. Participants will also receive ongoing support and mentoring.
At the end of the training, students can then apply for swimming instructor positions across the State in time for VacSwim lessons with opportunities for further employment after VacSwim.
Upon completion, trainees will obtain an accredited swimming teacher qualification, Swim Australia Teacher (SAT), and CPR qualification.
Jemillah Dawson
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I started as a journalist in 2011 and now manage mastheads in the South West of WA. My passion is politics and sport. I believe we are the voice for the community but also we inform the community of what they need to know. Email jemillah.dawson@austcommunitymedia.com.au
