Institute of Swimming tackles teacher shortage with recruitment drive

The Institute of Swimming (IoS) has tackled the demand for swimming lessons by recruiting almost 500 swimming teachers to the sector.

Removing the financial barriers that may have previously held people back, the IoS Recruitment Academy programme has developed the way swimming teachers join the sector, with its ‘train-to-employ’ model.

The IoS manages the search and recruitment of trainees, supporting them through their training and ensuring leisure operators receive teachers who are trained to the highest level.

Since the ‘train-to-employ’ launch in 2019, 473 people have started their training through the Academy, which saw a huge growth in 2022, with around 240 trainees joining the programme.

“We can’t just connect with people who love to swim; it’s not where the solution lies,” said Rebecca Cox, managing director at Swim England and business engagement director at IoS.

“We need to reach out to people who wouldn’t even think it’s a plausible career for them, dispelling myths like ‘you need to be expert athlete’, as well as cultural myths and stigmas.”

To date, more than 250 teachers have completed their training and are now enjoying employment as swimming teachers, either as a change to their career or complementary to another role.

The IoS is the largest provider of Swim England qualifications and aquatics courses, training over 60% of all swimming teachers in the UK.

• For more on the IoS, see https://www.swimming.org/ios/2023/03/06/institute-swimmings-recruitment-academy-tackles-teacher-shortage-500-new-teachers/

Photo credit: courtesy of Institute of Swimming