SWIM Jobs Victoria looks to fill more aquatic industry roles

The Victorian Government has advised that it is seeking to recruit up to 100 new aquatic professionals by June 2023 as part of its SWIM Jobs Victoria program.

Launched in April 2022 with $3.4 million in Victorian Government funding, SWIM Jobs Victoria is a partnership between Swim Coaches and Teachers Australia (SCTA) and Jobs Victoria that aims to deliver 280 inclusive employment opportunities at swim schools and aquatic and recreation centres around the state.

Visiting the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre (MSAC) last week, Victorian Minister for Employment, Ben Carroll stated "we’re supporting people to gain new qualifications so they can find secure work and help the sector address a shortage of skilled swim teachers.

“With Victorians heading to our beaches, rivers, lakes and pools this summer, these jobs ensure everyone can safely enjoy the water.”

With the aquatic and recreation sector having suffered severe staffing issues as a result of professionals leaving their jobs due to lack of work during COVID lockdowns.

SCTA Chief Executive, Brendon Ward advised "we are absolutely delighted to see the industry in Victoria start to bounce back from the extended COVID restrictions.

“At the core of it we have seen 188 new teachers and coaches enter the industry. But it’s much more than that for us. Each and every one of these people has an amazing story behind them. It’s these heart-warming stories that mean the most to us as an organisation.”

Headed up by SWIM Jobs Victoria Project Manager, Victoria Clark, the initiative set out to be fully inclusive of disability and CALD groups, and to help change the structure of employment from a casual model to one that offered job stability and employee benefits.

Clark explained “right off the bat we knew what we wanted to achieve.

“We wanted to be inclusive for all communities in Victoria. During the last nine months we have formed connections with CALD communities and partnered up with disability groups such as ‘the Field’, as well as veteran groups. That meant specific targeting, as well as on boarding Swim Schools in Victoria to participate in the program.

“We knew it was going to be a tough assignment to get it (the program) up and running. The aquatic industry is traditionally known for its casual employment approach, but nine months in we have some major momentum building. While it is still early days for the program, we have seen over 90% of those initially employed staying in the industry.

“But we aren’t finished yet.

“We are only just getting started. We still have just under 100 people we need to help find employment by June with our aim to ensure the longevity of staff within an organisation, to stop the high turnover of staff, which will ultimately lead to industry growth.”

Research conducted by SCTA after COVID lockdowns showed that 25% of children in Victoria were unable to attend swimming lessons due to a lack of availability in swim classes, with 30% of parents taking on the role of teaching their children to swim.

Noting that a strong aquatic workforce and industry growth means that more children are able to access learn to swim lessons, Ward added "more teachers, means more lessons which leads to more children swimming.

“This will ultimately lead to a reduction in child drownings. It’s a win-win situation.”

Swim Jobs Victoria complements a separate $5.7 million partnership between the Victorian Government and Aquatics and Recreation Victoria, creating 300 roles for swim teachers, lifeguards and other pool staff.

Together, these programs provide 580 Victorians with secure work for 12 months, prioritising people aged 18 to 25, people with a disability, women aged 45 and over, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Participants are paid while they complete pre-employment training, including the nationally accredited Swim Australia Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety course, and training in First Aid and CPR.

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Image: Victorian Minister for Employment Ben Carroll and State Member Nina Taylor flank swim teacher recruit Chloe Turner at Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre on 18th January.