THE mining industry has lured young people from jobs in local pools and created a shortage of qualified swimming instructors, according to Royal Life Saving WA.
Swim West Wembley Swim School manager, Sue Avins, says regional areas are struggling to find swimming instructors as the resources industry laps up young workers.
She says the regional towns of Geraldton and Port Hedland are suffering a shortage of instructors as the variety of jobs on offer in the mining and quarrying industries are lapped up by young workers.
Avins claims the problem is “worse than it used to be”, and says the swimming centre will be forced to cancel lessons if the trend continues.
“The pay’s reasonably good, anywhere from $20-$25 an hour. It’s the ideal job, not only does it pay the bills but it contributes to the community as well,” she said.
While Royal Life Saving WA is urging young workers to consider swim teaching as a career, it is also believed the requirement for students to pay for training is discouraging them from joining the industry.
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