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With aquatic industry worker shortages seriously impacting centre operations, with waiting lists for swimming lessons over 300 students long at some regional facilities, Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) has secured Jobs Victoria funding to support the delivery of 300 entry-level jobs at aquatics facilities to work towards resolving this critical challenge.

Jobs Victoria’s backing for ARV’s Next Wave program aims to recruit 150 swim teachers and lifeguards by January, to ensure aquatic facilities across the state can provide vital aquatic services before Term 1, 2023.

Explaining the challenge, Bass Coast Aquatic and Leisure Centre Aquatics Coordinator, Khy Blizzard advised “our swim school waiting list has grown to 305.

“Having a shortage of teachers is impacting the community.

“Kids are not learning to swim which is a necessary life skill when living on the coast. The community needs qualified swim teachers to help teach their kids to swim so they can have a safe summer.”

With the Centre having employed a new swim teacher last month through the Next Wave program, Blizzard stated “having Jenna join our team has freed our wait list up by 35-45 kids.”

Next Wave is designed to provide secure employment for Victorian residents from specific priority cohorts across the state - in both Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria.

Roles including swim teachers, lifeguards, duty manager and customer service officers are offered on a permanent part-time or full-time basis, for at least 19 hours a week for 12 months and more.

Employers are reimbursed for the costs associated with training, onboarding and employing jobseekers, while jobseekers receive job-readiness training and support thanks to JVES project partners, WCIG and Qualify.

This program is currently underway and will run until June 2023.

Click here for more information. 

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