15 Jan 2019
GLL and STA partnership delivers 'boosts in swim teacher numbers'
BY Tom Walker
A partnership between leisure operator GLL and the Swimming Teachers' Association (STA) – designed to address the national shortage of swim teachers – has been hailed a success after delivering more than 300 new instructors in just 12 months.
Set up in January 2018, the programme has resulted in GLL and STA introducing new training and employment opportunities with "significant benefits" to those looking for work as swim teachers – as well as employers looking to recruit them.
These have included offering aspiring swim teachers STA qualifications — including CIMSPA-endorsed Level 2 certificates – through GLL College and following the training up with job interviews at GLL's 145 Better-branded leisure centres across the UK.
According to Emma Lewis, national swimming development manager at GLL, the three-year partnership will "transform" the way the charitable social enterprise delivers it swimming teaching qualifications.
"Since entering our partnership with STA 12 months ago, we are proud to have had more than 400 people sign up to courses through GLL College, as well as recruiting 300 swim teachers nationally through 2018," she said.
"This will go a long way towards helping us to deliver our water safety strategy, our commitment to drowning prevention and growing the number of swimming lesson opportunities available in our local communities."
Dave Candler, STA chief executive, added: "Our partnership with GLL is already serving to positively address the national swimming teacher shortage issue.
"GLL has not only taken the lead on this nationwide problem, it has, in just 12 months, successfully trained and recruited a new generation of swimming teachers; teachers who might not have had the opportunity to access accredited courses prior to this partnership."
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