AusLeisure

Aiming to get more teachers in the water in time for summer, the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) has introduced a new, streamlined approach to swim teacher accreditation.

The Australian-first teaching pathway allows ASSA Member Swim Schools to conduct their own Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Course integrated into their training processes.

ASSA, through its partnership with the Institute of Research and Learning (IRL- RTO.6235), will deliver nationally recognised and accredited units of competencies which constitute the ‘Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety’ qualification (SISSS00112).

Under ASSA’s Academy pathway, the qualification will be branded as the ‘Australian Swim Schools Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety’.

The progressive ‘on the job’ training principles have been introduced to help streamline the accreditation process for both employers and prospective teachers, by allowing organisations to internally attract, train and retain their teaching staff.

Typically, candidates applying for a teaching position are required to obtain the Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Qualification from an external provider before returning to their swim school of employment.

ASSA’s pathway helps reduce the barrier for teachers getting into the industry, allowing candidates to learn directly from their place of employment from day one, all whilst ticking off the key units of competencies required to become a qualified swim teacher.

The new approach to the teacher accreditation process was developed in response to a request from the industry to enhance acquisition and retention of swim teachers.

Following extensive industry consultation with member swim schools, ASSA officially launched its teaching pathway during its National Conference earlier this year.

Family-owned swim school Rackley Swimming was one of the preliminary schools selected to pilot the program, praising the initiative for its progressive approach to supporting more swim teachers to enter the industry.

Rackley Swimming Chief People Officer, Nicky Sloan advised “this is a game changer for us.

“We now have the ability to upskill teachers in-house with the necessary qualification to become a  swimming teacher - with a Rackley flavour to the training. Having the ability to entwine our programs' philosophies and curriculum to the core competencies is really amazing.

“It gives businesses flexibility to run courses at their own pools, whenever the demand for courses are warranted, at a cost effective price for the teachers - reducing the financial barrier of entry into the industry.”

Explaining that the barrier to entry for new teachers was a driving force behind the development of ASSA’s in-house teaching pathway, ASSA General Manager, Emily McNeill declared “we are essentially making it easier than ever before for ASSA member Swim Schools to attract, train and retain their own staff internally.

“The ASSA Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Qualification has the added bonus of being able to work closely with the candidate to ensure they’re supported and prepared throughout their teaching journey.

“We are delighted to be creating more opportunities for people to recieve their swim teacher qualifications  ahead of summer and we see this as a major win for the industry” said Ms McNeill.

ASSA hopes that this new approach to swimming education will help alleviate the shortage of qualified swim instructors across the country.

There is an estimated shortage of almost 2000 swimming instructors across the country, with NSW and Victoria the hardest hit post COVID.

Businesses and teachers looking to take advantage of ASSA Academy Qualification can find out more at www.australianswimschools.org.au/assa-academy

Image courtesy of Rackley Swimming.

Related Articles

28th September 2022 - Royal Life Saving and Aspect combine to deliver module to teach people on the autism spectrum

20th September 2022 - Olympic Gold Medal Winning Coaches and McKeon Family recognised at Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia Awards

20th September 2022 - Swim schools across the nation to offer free swimming lessons during Learn2Swim

17th September 2022 - Rising drowning toll prompts AUSTSWIM to emphasise importance of educating new swimming teachers

16th September 2022 - 2021/22 drowning toll the highest in more than 25 years

16th September 2022 - Sleeman Sports Complex renews swim school partnership agreement with Aquatic Achievers

16th September 2022 - SWIMCON22 prepares to deliver for aquatic professionals

9th September 2022 - APOLA President Bruce Hopkins gains support for adoption of Float to Survive initiative as a national anti-drowning prevention message

15th August 2022 - New Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program aims to address Victoria’s swim teacher shortage

5th August 2022 - Swim It Forward 2022 campaign launched by Swim Australia ahead of peak drowning season

1st August 2022 - Swim Schools encouraged to participate in Learn2Swim Week

29th July 2022 - ASSA’s mentoring for success program ends on a high

5th August 2022 - Rainbow Club partners with Rackley Swimming to benefit young people living with disabilities

22nd July 2022 - AUSTSWIM to mark World Drowning Prevention Day with discounted courses for new teachers

5th July 2022 - City Venue Management to open new Fish N Flips swim school in Townsville

8th April 2022 - Australian Swim Schools Association announces line-up for 2022 National Conference

22nd February 2022 - Swim school enrolments return to 95% of pre-COVID levels

25th January 2022 - Australian Swim Schools Association opens foundation membership

22nd September 2021 - Royal Life Saving announces new partnership program for swim schools

1st September 2021 - Australian Swim Schools Association presents 2021 Hall of Fame and National Excellence Awards

7th July 2021 - With swim schools facing permanent closure industry leader calls for learn-to-swim services to be classed as an essential service

22nd January 2021 - Rackley Swimming announces opening of 26th swimming school in Queensland

13th September 2020 - Royal Life Saving survey suggests that swim school enrolments fell by 30% in August

10th August 2020 - Australian Swim Schools’ virtual conference a huge success

19th May 2020 - ASCTA releases best practices for restarting swim schools and learn to swim programs

30th April 2020 - ASSA raises concerns over future of swim schools

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.