Pool techs to achieve “occupation status”

Swimming Pool and Spa Technicians will have their roles registered as a distinct occupation in the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) with the development of two trade qualifications in 2012.

Swimming Pool and Retail Association Australia (SPRAA) President, Peter Barr, says the registration of the specific occupation is due to his organisation’s representation on the Construction and Property Services Industry Skills Council (CPSISC).

He says that while the job has been recorded in history dating back to when the Romans treated their bathing water with silver by-products, it had never been identified as a distinct occupation in Australia until the involvement of SPRAA.

“This recognition enables Swimming Pool and Spa Technicians to be positioned alongside other skilled industries and professionals,” he says.

“A Swimming Pool and Spa Technician masters concepts including plumbing, electrical systems, pumps, motors and filtration, as well as having knowledge of water chemistry, water treatment and water hydraulics for large commercial pools.”

In 2012, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations’ Job Guide will include this occupation. The Job Guide is a publication distributed to every Year 10 student in Australia prior to choosing their subjects for their senior school years and future career path.

Barr says research has shown that the Job Guide publication has a significant influence on career paths for young Australians.

“We expect the industry will benefit greatly from this recognition, which in the past has struggled to attract and retain young people because they were not aware that being a pool technician can be a worthwhile career with substantial financial and personal rewards.

He believes this will put the industry on an equal footing with other industries to attract school leavers.