New Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program aims to address Victoria's swim teacher shortage

A new Victorian Government initiative is looking to help young people start their aquatic sector careers through industry-backed swim instructor courses.

With the pandemic having created a shortage of accredited swim teachers, the new $1.3 million Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program gives 17 to 25 year-olds the opportunity to teach swimming skills and water safety.

Aiming to address the swim teacher shortage by creating more jobs for young people in the sector, the program will deliver grants of up to $325 towards courses for new teachers of Swimming and Water Safety, up to $285 towards courses for new teachers of Infant and Preschool Aquatics, and up to $195 toward the renewal of teacher of Swimming and Water Safety qualifications.

Sport and Recreation Victoria advise "this provides an important entry point for young swim instructors to pursue or continue career opportunities in the aquatic sector, helping Victorians of all ages learn vital water safety skills and survival knowledge."

The program is part of a wider range of initiatives to ensure more Victorians get the chance to learn swimming basics including the VICSWIM Summer Kidz Program and the Get Active Kids Voucher program, which are lowering the barriers to participation and making swimming lessons accessible to all Victorians regardless of socio-economic status, location and cultural background.

The program complements the Victorian Government’s support for a $3.4 million partnership between Jobs Victoria and Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia to help 280 people secure jobs as swim teachers.

Together the new programs provide an important entry point for instructors to pursue or continue careers in the aquatic sector, helping Victorians of all ages learn vital water safety skills and survival knowledge.

The Victorian Government is also investing $55.2 million to support swim and water safety education programs in government, Catholic and special schools, and will also introduce them in government English language schools.

Click here for more information about this and other related programs.

Image credit: Sport and Recreation Victoria