PARC makes a splash with swim teacher recruitment program
Published on 10 November 2021
Peninsula Leisure’s innovative Swim Teacher Active Recruitment (STAR) Program is set to get more children into swimming lessons and more Frankston locals into jobs.
The new Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre (PARC) Swim STAR Program was initiated to combat an industry-wide swim teacher shortage by addressing two key barriers – the upfront costs involved in training and the time it takes to undergo the training without income.
Peninsula Leisure CEO Katherine Thom said that the aquatic industry is experiencing a national swim teacher shortage due to lack of available industry training and the prolonged COVID closures forcing many teachers to find other work.
Ms Thom said: “Sadly, we are in the midst of our national swim teacher shortage. It’s hard to become a swim teacher – you need to fork out money to get qualified and then do in-water hours without income before you can land a job. With so few people entering the profession of swim teaching, we knew we had to reimagine our recruitment process in order to attract more quality teachers to PARC.”
As part of the Program, participants receive the cost of their qualifications covered (usually around $600) and receive payment for their in-water training hours. At the end of the program, participants are also offered employment as a PARC Swim Teacher.
Ms Thom said the program complements Peninsula Leisure’s ongoing commitment to water safety and continuing to deliver the highest quality programs. She added it will help get more children into swimming lessons, by offering more class options and greater access to the program.
“PARC Swim’s vision is that every child in Frankston can swim. Our new STAR Program means we can train more swim teachers, more quickly, and they can start earning income sooner. In turn, it means we can welcome more PARC Swim students and offer them greater choice in class times and days. It’s a win-win-win,” she said.
The PARC Swim STAR Program is open to the entire Frankston community and suits all walks of life – retirees looking to feel connected with the community, mums or dads looking for hours that suit their busy lifestyles, people who are studying and even those still at school with flexible hours on offer.
PARC Swim teacher, Paula, urged people to check out the STAR Program, adding: “There’s nothing more satisfying than teaching a child and watching them develop – not only their swimming ability, but also as a person. Being a swim teacher gives you countless opportunities to make a positive impact on a child’s life. This is one of the most rewarding jobs around.”
Paula said: “Contributing to water safety not only helps develop children’s knowledge of how to survive in the water if they fall into a pool, off a boat, into a river, dam, lake or any body of water, but also life skills to pass onto family and friends.
“The STAR program is so appealing for people of any age or background to develop a set of amazing skills to help children and adults learn how to be safe in water. The STAR program will help you financially to get you started on the path to a rewarding career,” Paula said.
Frankston City South Ward Cr Claire Harvey said the STAR program highlights Peninsula Leisure’s commitment to supporting and engaging with the local community, adding: “The program offers great employment opportunities for Frankston City, particularly as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Cr Harvey said the program is free of charge and applications are currently open for the first intake. To apply, please visit PARC’s website and complete an expression of interest form: https://parcfrankston.com.au/star-program/
Peninsula Leisure Pty Ltd is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Frankston City Council and is charged with the management of Council’s two aquatic facilities, Peninsula Aquatic Recreation Centre and Pines Forest Aquatic Centre.
It is committed to providing quality sports, recreation and leisure products and services with a focus on community engagement and innovation alongside a reputation for delivering exceptional service.