Announcing Next Wave: Launching Aquatics Careers

Published Mon 03 Oct 2022

Next Wave: Launching Aquatics Careers. Logo over light blue background.

Aquatics and Recreation Victoria are the recipients of a $5.6m funding package from the Victorian State Government through Jobs Victoria.

The Next Wave program will create 300 jobs within the Victorian Aquatics and Recreation industry by June 2023.

See the full Ministerial Announcement from The Hon. Jaala Pulford, Minister for Jobs, Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions here.

About Next Wave

Next Wave is delivering a Victorian Aquatics Industry Workforce Creation and Support Program. It is funding employers to train, support, employ and retain job seekers. Through a reimbursement model, industry employers will be able to have all expenses in pre-employment training, onboarding and professional development of new staff covered, thanks to Jobs Victoria.

Supports are provided for 4 key Aquatics industry roles: swim teachers, life guards, duty managers and customer service officers.

Participants will receive a minimum of 12 months secure employment with paid, nationally accredited training to get them started in their new career. Opportunities are available for mentoring, post-placement training and supports equipment and professional development opportunities.

ARV will coordinate the initiative and work with partner organisations to place jobseekers in roles across Victorian Aquatic and recreation facilities.

These roles are versatile, no matter the participant’s background; including young people, women over 45, those facing long term unemployment, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, those from culturally diverse backgrounds, people with disability and veterans.

We’re partnering with two key employment services providers to ensure Next Wave candidates are supported and prepared for their new Aquatics and Recreation careers. WCIG and Qualify will provide job seekers with support and job-readiness training across Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victoria respectively.

ARV will host an Employers Forum on October 12, and invite all key industry representatives currently facing workforce shortages to attend. The forum will address how Next Wave works, how funding will be distributed and the key criteria that must be met.