The Recruitment Academy offers people the opportunity to train as swimming teachers and find employment with a specific employer without the significant cost of the training. Suitability for the programme is assessed at each stage and will be communicated.

1. Apply for an Academy
2. Meet and Greet to give you more information and ask questions
3. Interview – this is informal and in small groups to find out more about you and give you the opportunity to ask questions
4. Matched with an employer
5. Attend an SEQ Level 1 Swimming Assistant (Teaching) course
6. Volunteer with the employer
7. Attend an SEQ Level 2 Swimming Teacher course
8. Employment

The training is funded one of two ways, either through Institute of Swimming accessing external funding that will pay for the qualifications, or the employer you are volunteering with will pay for the training. This is why they want to see a commitment from you to work for them after the training as they have made an investment into you.

You need to have some swimming ability but you don’t need to be a strong swimmer, you will be supporting swimmers in the water so you need to be confident moving around in both shallow and deep water, most of the time you will be working in shallow water or on the poolside.

This depends on you and the operator you are working for. On average it takes around 4 – 6 months but if you need more time to develop confidence in your ability or if you have shown commitment and capability straight away this time frame can change.

This can change depending on the employer you are working with but on average it’s around two shifts per week. Lessons are usually weekdays between 4pm and 7pm and weekends 8am to 1pm.

The children are normally from around 4 years to 12 years old however we do have Recruitment Academies that focus on school swimming, younger children and occasionally you may be asked to teach adults. This will all be covered in your training.

This depends on your employer, employers decide on their rate of pay dependant on where they are located and the type of swimming lessons they run. Check here for more information.

Yes, as long as you are over 16. We are looking for all age groups as each person can bring different experiences to the role.

This is part-time, we look for a commitment of two shifts per week however this can increase if the employer has more work available. Some employers also have other work available e.g. lifeguarding

We list the swimming lesson providers who are looking for teachers on the relevant webpage, if you are successful through to the interview stage we will ask you which venue you would prefer to be placed at from this list.

There are a variety of opportunities to increase your swimming lesson knowledge and build up additional teaching hours.

All the teaching equipment for you to teach the lessons (toys, floats etc.) will be supplied by the swimming lesson provider, you will need to ensure you have a swimming costume and during the training something to wear over the top of it. Once you are employed most swimming lesson providers will provide a uniform.

You will be working an average of two shifts per week, if you are successful and invited to the interview we will ask for your availability and work with you and the employer to ensure you are able to commit to times when you are free.

Please email us on recruitmentacademy@swimming.org. We are a small team so we can’t always answer the phone but if you would like to speak to someone please let us know and we will arrange a convenient time to call.

Part of the role of a swimming teacher is to be recognisable when on poolside so you will be wearing clothing to distinguish you from the swimmers. This could be shorts and t-shirt or other appropriate clothing. You can cover your body if you need to and wear a headscarf if you wish.

Usually around 20 hours between being accepted onto the programme and attending your Level 2 course but if you or the employer feel you need more time this can be discussed to make sure you are prepared and confident to complete your qualifications and start teaching on your own.

This depends on why you have decided not to continue with the programme. We will discuss the options with you. There will be an opportunity for you to fund the training yourself or you can decide not to pay for the training and walk away without any further payment. If we don’t receive payment your certificate may not be released to you.

There are three different ways to complete your qualifications and this will depend on what is available in your area:

1. Face to Face

This will be delivered at a venue with a tutor at the site. The course theory takes place in a seminar room or classroom environment, you will then go to the pool for your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment.

2. Blended Learning

This course will start online through interactive e-learning which you do in your own time. Once you get to the venue, there is some theory content to cover in a seminar room before your practical work, lesson delivery and assessment pool-side.

3. Online and Virtual

This course allows you to make the most of learning online and will cover the course theory through interactive e-learning and live zoom webinars. E-learning allows you to work through the content at your own pace while the zoom webinars will be with the rest of your course cohort and from the comfort of your own home. Once you get to the venue, you’ll have pool-based practical work, lesson delivery and assessment to complete.