Research findings shows higher turnover intentions among younger swim instructors

Newly released research findings that contrast the turnover intentions of swim instructors of different ages has found that younger swim instructors are the most likely to leave their roles with many - more than what might be expected – having quit their positions or left the aquatics industry.

The research found that swim instructors, essential to teaching individuals of all ages and abilities in developing swimming skills and technique, water safety and confidence in the water, swim instructors – and arguably aquatic facilities’ most valued staff - are often the most likely to leave.

Through a series of semi-structured interviews, the authors Michael Butson, a PhD candidate at Victoria University, and Professor Ruth Jeanes of Monash University, Eric Du of Learn to Swim Victoria and Dr John Tower, also of Victoria University, found two clear distinctions in turnover intention among current swim instructors.

Younger swim instructors (18- 28 years old) presented a high level of turnover intention while older swim instructors (45+ years old) presented a low turnover intention.

Butson, the Chief Investigator, explains “with Australia continuing to face a shortage of swim instructors - which evidence shows goes back as far as 2012 - a high turnover of swim instructors means inexperienced instructors are common in the aquatics industry.

“Inexperienced teaching causes ineffectiveness in pedagogy and learning and has long-term consequences. At the hands of inexperienced instructors, even an appropriate amount of time may be insufficient to produce desired performance - such as improved swimming and water safety techniques.”

As part of a research project into the retention and turnover of swim instructors, the researchers sought to understand the current turnover intention of swim instructors. Turnover intention is a measurement of whether swim instructors plan to change jobs voluntarily soon. Roodts Turnover Intention Scale was used to measure current turnover intention.

Suggesting that it might be expected that many more younger swim instructors will continue to leave the industry, Butson added “possibly, the most alarming issue for the aquatics industry is the dissatisfaction and frustration younger swim instructors have with management and leaders (i.e., swim-school co-ordinators, centre and assistant centre managers).

“Negative relationships and negative organisational culture were often mentioned as a cause for high turnover intention."

A fuller account of this research is published in the latest issue of Australasian Leisure Management (issue 155). A journal article related to this study is also set to be published in Managing Sport and Leisure.

For more information on the study, email michael.butson1@monash.edu