The City of Waterloo, Ontario, intends to increase the number of lifeguards in the city by introducing free certification programs. The city aims to attract adults to undergo lifeguard training by waiving the certification fees this fall.
According to a report by CBC News, due to the pandemic, many local municipalities faced challenges in hiring lifeguards, as young individuals who were previously pursuing training dropped out when pools were closed and did not return. In response, the city hopes to incentivize individuals to undergo lifeguard training by offering it for free.
The report further says that adults who successfully pass a skills assessment next month will have the opportunity to participate in the aquatic leadership certification program. This program includes various courses, such as Bronze Medallion with Emergency First Aid and CPR B, Bronze Cross with Standard First Aid and CPR C, National Lifeguard, as well as the Lifesaving Society instructors and swim instructor courses.
Kristen Cook, the city’s manager of recreation programming, revealed to CBC News, that it is the first time they are providing these courses for free to those who pass the assessment.
The program will span 15 weeks, and successful participants will become eligible for work in January as qualified pool deck staff. The initiative aims to attract ages 18 and above, with the goal of finding more long-term employees for the city’s pools.
Currently, Waterloo operates two pools: Moses Spring and the swimplex at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex.
