Western Australian aquatic centres report identifies industry labour shortages

Aquatic centres in Western Australia are reporting a shortage of pool lifeguards and swim instructors according to a newly released report from the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia for the Leisure Institute of Western Australia (LIWA) Aquatics.

In an additional survey within their annual study, the Bigger, Better, Safer: Western Australian Aquatics Industry Report 2017/18 this year looked to gain an in depth understanding of employment shortages within the aquatics industry.

The report states "public swimming pools provide a range of employment opportunities with pool operator, pool lifeguard, swimming instructor and aquatic support staff positions available throughout the state (and) in 2017-18, there were approximately 4,729 staff employed within the WA."

It also advises of "little staff turnover and therefore little movement of LIWA accredited pool operators recorded" during the year.

By comparison to pool operators, it records a greater turnover of pool lifeguard staff with 22.4% allowing their qualifications to lapse in 2017/18 and 300 new pool lifeguards gaining new qualifications and entering the aquatics industry.

In relation to staff shortages, it noted "responses indicated that the Great Southern, Pilbara and Kimberley regions had the greatest shortage of pool operators. Similarly, the Great Southern, Goldfields, Mid-West and Pilbara regions reported the greatest shortage of pool lifeguards and the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields regions the greatest shortages in swim instructors."

In conclusion, the report advised "the results highlight the need to address shortages of swim instructors, particularly in regional areas to ensure the availability of swimming and water safety programs in all regions.

"Whilst there are currently sufficient numbers of pool operators and lifeguards to operate facilities, there is a need to continue to recruit newly trained professionals to the industry to meet the flexible nature of these positions and for ensuring a number of suitable and high quality candidates when positions arise."

The 2019 LIWA Aquatics Annual State Conference and Trade Display is being held on 12th and 13th August in Fremantle.

Click here to view the Bigger, Better, Safer: Western Australian Aquatics Industry Report 2017/18.

Click here for more information on the LIWA Conference in the Australasian Leisure Management Industry Calendar.