An alliance between the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA), will see the latter become the exclusive distributor of NSPF handbooks and exams in Canada.
The partnership will see the Certified Pool/Spa Operator® (CPO®) certification course delivered to ORFA recreation facility professionals as a replacement for its existing introductory course, Essentials of Swimming Pool Operations. In turn, the NSPF will promote ORFA’s advanced-level course, Aquatic Facility Operations—Beyond the Basics, and its professional designations Certified Aquatic Professional l (CAP) and Certified Aquatic Technician (CAT). NSPF will also designate ORFA as the exclusive distributor of NSPF handbooks and exams within Canada.
“We are excited about this partnership for two reasons,” said NSPF’s CEO, Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D. “First, ORFA consistently demonstrates high ethical and professional standards and we are honoured to be partnered with such an organization.
“The second reason is less about the agreement, and more about helping better educate and elevate professionals in our industry.”
The partnership provides additional educational opportunities for pool operator technicians, from entry-level through to certification. NSPF and ORFA agree the pool industry workforce must acquire a solid foundation of training to perform jobs exceptionally and to mitigate risk in and around pools and spas. This level of education elevates the knowledge and skill base of technicians who contribute to the health and safety of swimmers.
CPO certification is the premier training program for commercial technicians in the pool and spa industry, certifying more than 400,000 operators in 104 countries. Using trusted, continuously updated information, CPO certification provides recreation facility professionals with access to greater knowledge, skills, and techniques to maintain public and commercial pools and spas.
John Milton, CAO of ORFA, a provider of education, training, and certification for recreation facility professionals in Canada, said the partnership is a timely and mutually beneficial strategic alliance.
“We are delighted to collaborate with NSPF to further enhance our existing aquatics programming and certifications,” he said. “We are also thrilled to have NSPF with us in Toronto to make the partnership announcement as part of our Facilities Operational Forum and annual general meeting (AGM).”
