Tara Murray
Brimbank council has launched a new program aimed at addressing the shortage of qualified swim teachers.
The council last week announced the new Swim Teacher Employment Pathway (STEP) program, which provides the opportunity to create an employment pathway within the community and address the industry wide problem of insufficient swim teachers.
The program is aimed at helping people become a qualified swim teacher, providing the relevant qualifications, offering training and assessment and casual employment as a swim teacher within Brimbank.
The council currently recruits five to six swim teachers each school term to meet the growing demand for swimming lessons.
Council’s Sunshine Leisure Centre is hoping to increase the number of swimming teachers from a range of cultural backgrounds represented in Brimbank, to create a more familiar, culturally safe and inclusive experience for all Brimbank families.
Mayor Ranka Rasic said the new program is an employment pathway.
“The program will allow us to increase the amount of qualified swim teachers, by offering training and assessment, which will also increase the amount of children able to access swim education classes,” she said.
“I encourage everyone who’s interested in a swim educator career pathway to apply.
Expressions of interest are open for the first intake in September.
Details: leisurecentres.brimbank.vic.gov.au/aquatics/brimbank-s-t-e-p-program.
