Swim Jobs Victoria program sees launch of $3.4 million career recruitment package

May 6, 2022

Aiming to reverse the massive shortage of swimming teachers in Victoria, 280 new swimming teachers will be recruited and trained as part of a new ‘earn while you’ learn Swim Jobs Victoria initiative.

A $3.4 million partnership between Swims Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA) and Jobs Victoria, the Swim Jobs Victoria program will enable jobseekers recruited into the program to access an income while completing the accredited training required to work in the industry.

Following a recent SCTA survey that SCTA revealed 28% of Victorians would consider becoming a swim teacher, SCTA Chief Executive Brendon Ward said people were needed in both metro and regional areas.

Ward advised “the last few years have been difficult for the industry to keep staff employed, and the result is most swim schools are unable to meet the demand for learn to swim lessons.

“We hope people wanting to make a difference and have an impact in their community will consider the opportunity.”

“One of the major benefits of this partnership is it provides an extra incentive for those interested in a career in the aquatic industry and they are guaranteed 19 hours of work minimum, as all roles offered will be for a part-time or full-time role.

“Employers also receive subsidies and incentives to support them to take on new teachers, easing the pressure on businesses trying to bounce back. It is a win-win for all parties involved.”

Explaining that the program is vital to the revitalisation of the aquatic industry, Paul Sadler Swimland Chief Executive, Mark Cecil noted “we really haven’t been able to recruit and train swim teachers over the last couple of years and there’s a lot of kids who need to learn how to swim.

“Swim teaching is the most rewarding job you can do. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces every week when they come in for their swimming lesson and knowing you’re making a real difference to their lives. It’s an incredibly rewarding job that can lead to an amazing career.”

Jacqueline Wong was a corporate banker before becoming a swim teacher and then establishing The Swim Project, a social enterprise which empowers and equips culturally diverse adults to swim.

Wong noted “one day I went stand up paddle boarding with friends and one person who joined us didn’t get in the water because she couldn’t swim. I offered to help her learn to swim and that’s when I decided to get my qualifications. I discovered a real passion to share my love of water and make sure others could experience the joy as well.”

Stating that the most rewarding part of being a swim teacher was seeing adults who can’t swim get into the water, embrace discomfort and choose courage, Wong added “swimming is for everyone and it’s such a joy to witness that personal transformation but also see my students become more confident in the water and develop their swim skills for life.”

New recruits to the program will receive tailored support including job-readiness training, dedicated individual mentoring and work equipment funding, while completing the nationally accredited Swim Australia Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course, first-aid, and CPR training.

The initiative is supported by the $250 million Jobs Victoria Fund, which is creating 10,000 steady and secure jobs for those most impacted by the pandemic.

Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA) is the new brand for the Australia Swim Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA), introduced last month.

For more information on the Swim Jobs Victoria program go to www.swimjobs.org

Image credit SCTA.

28th April 2022 - SCTA announce General Manager appointment

27th April 2022 - Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre to host 2022 Sydney MS Mega Swim event

26th April 2022 - Australian Olympic Committee and Swimming Australia threaten lobby group with legal action over trans women’s sport billboards

22nd April 2022 - ActiveXchange announces BrandServe as certified partner to drive exposure in Learn to Swim industry

14th April 2022 - ASCTA adopts new identity as SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia

11th April 2022 - AUSTSWIM celebrates a decade of its MATE accessibility workshops

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

29th March 2022 - Paul Sadler Swimland celebrates 50 years of teaching lifesaving skills in Australia

25th February 2022 - Council orders Sydney swim school to close

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

22nd February 2022 - Life Saving Victoria offers discounted swim teacher courses

20th February 2022 - NSW Sport Minister highlights employment opportunities for hundreds of new accredited swim instructors

15th February 2022 - Registrations open for 2022 edition of the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson

31st January 2022 - Learn-to-swim and music vouchers available to Northern Territory families

27th January 2022 - Swim teacher shortage impacts sees lessons cut at Parkes Aquatic Centre

8th January 2022 - Poor adult swimming skills contribute to summer drownings

15th November 2021 - Royal Life Saving highlights ‘tens of thousands’ of job vacancies for lifeguards and swim teachers

25th October 2021 - Extensions announced for NSW AUSTSWIM Teachers

11th June 2021 - National Aquatic Industry Committee advises on conditions for swim teachers, lifeguards and instructors affected by Victoria’s lockdowns

29th May 2021 - Swim coaching Pioneers Peter Ruddock and Michael Ursu bestowed with ASCTA Life Memberships

28th May 2021 - Dean Boxall named Australian Age and Youth Coach of the Year at ASCTA Awards

11th April 2021 - ASCTA commits to Gender Equality Framework

8th April 2021 - Swim Australia shares resources to aid swim teacher recruitment

24th March 2020 - ASCTA/Swim Australia release Coronavirus guidance for 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.