Funded training helps solve swimming teacher crisis
A training opportunity in your area
Image: Institute of Swimming/Stuart Key
The Institute of Swimming is launching a funded Swimming Teachers’ Recruitment Academy across Cheltenham, Cirencester and Gloucester, in a bid to address the swimming teacher shortage, which means local children are missing out on learning to swim. The Academy will offer local people the chance to retrain for free (with only a one-off £85 administration fee) and embark on a career as a swimming teacher, with training historically costing £1,000.
There are no educational requirements for applying, nor do applicants have to be an ‘elite’ swimmer. The Institute of Swimming is working with leisure operators Freedom Leisure and Leisure at Cheltenham to train and recruit swimming teachers at their centres in and around Cheltenham, Cirencester and Gloucester, including:
- GL1 Leisure Centre
- Cirencester Leisure Centre
- Bourton-on-the-Water Leisure Centre
- Chipping Campden Leisure Centre
- Leisure at Cheltenham
Being a swimming teacher offers flexible hours that might suit someone who is looking for additional income, including students and retired people. The key hours of work are in the afternoon from 4pm-7pm and at weekends.
The Academy hopes to address the stark warning from the national governing body, Swim England, that 667,000 children in England are currently missing out on learning to swim due to staff shortages. A Swim England survey of swimming pool operators, owners and swim schools found more than four in five are struggling to meet the demand for swimming lessons.
Rebecca Cox, managing director, Institute of Swimming said: “By offering free training opportunities through the recruitment academy, we aim to find people who might be looking for a new job. Teaching swimming is extremely rewarding, with Swim England data showing that 96 per cent of UK swimming teachers love their job.
“Teaching swimming has flexible hours that might suit someone who wants to supplement their existing income or to work around their caring, retirement or studying commitments. We are looking to attract new people into the sector who may not have considered teaching swimming as a career opportunity. The comprehensive training with the Institute of Swimming and pool-side work experience ensures swimming teachers deliver safe, fun and engaging lessons for pupils to learn this invaluable life skill.”
Anyone interested should complete an online form by June 2. To find out more or fill in the application form visit: swimming.org/ios/apply-academy/
Location: Cheltenham, Cirencester and Gloucester.
