Government endorses swimming pool industry qualifications

The Certificate III in Swimming Pool and Spa Service and the Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Service have received Australian Government endorsement and have therefore become nationally recognised qualifications.

Gary Nye, President of the Swimming Pool Retail Association of Australia (SPRAA) says he is very proud of this achievement because it was SPRAA’s major objective when the association first started. They are now working to get the training for the Certificate III qualification ready for a start early in March 2013.

“The qualifications will provide a recognised pathway into the industry for school leavers as well as others who wish to be employed in the swimming pool and spa service fields,” says Nye.

“This is a wonderful outcome, not just for SPRAA and its members but for everyone who works in the industry right around Australia.

“We have been in discussions about how these qualifications can be rolled out across Australia and how those in the industry can take advantage of opportunities for recognition of their prior learning as well as their current competencies,” he says.

The Certificate III qualification is an entry-level qualification that provides the competencies required by swimming pool and spa technicians to routinely maintain swimming pools and spas in domestic, commercial and public settings. The qualification is suitable for an Australian Apprenticeship pathway. There are 18 units of competency of which 12 are core units; the other six are electives.

The Certificate IV qualification provides swimming pool and spa technicians with the competencies required to treat water quality problems as well as service and repair the key components of domestic, commercial and public swimming pools and spas. There are 20 units of competency in the Certificate IV qualification: 12 are core units and eight are electives.

Nye paid tribute to fellow SPRAA director Lindsay McGrath, former SPRAA Secretary Therese Nolan, former SPRAA President Peter Barr and a number of people at the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC) for their assistance in helping to create and move the qualifications along to the point where they have now been endorsed.

Nye also announced the appointment of Greg Every as the Executive Director of SPRAA, who replaces Lindsay McGrath who had been handling the role in an honorary capacity.

“We selected Greg for his background in public affairs and government relations and his understanding of industry associations at a state and national level,” says Nye.

Every holds a BA in Journalism from RMIT, is a Tutor in TAE40110 – the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment – and is a member of the Vic/Tas Council of the Australian Institute for Training & Development. He also holds membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia.