Young people are encouraged to Get into Lifeguarding by joining a free course offered by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with Prince’s Trust.
The course will take place on 8 February 2024 at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre. From participants ten candidates will then be chosen to take part in a further three week long course.
This course will help young people aged between 16 and 30 to get into employment, education and training. The programme also includes a week’s work experience with the charity which runs pools in Edinburgh. Travel expenses will be reimbursed and there will be support offered to successful candidates for six months after the programme.
Successful candidates would need to be available to take part in all the training days. The programme schedule is:
8 February Pre-selection Day at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre
19-23 February NPLQ course at Portobello Swim Centre
26 February – 1 March Work experience at one of Edinburgh Leisure’s venues
4 March Interview experience
6 March Post course celebration event at Meadowbank Sports Centre
Interested applicants should apply by Friday, 2nd February 2024 to be considered for this opportunity. Email matthew.rooney@princes-trust.org.uk with their name, telephone number and email address or alternatively apply via the Princes Trust website or call 0800 842 842.
Alyson Coats, Manager at Leith Victoria Swim Centre, and responsible for the partnership explained: “This will be the second time Edinburgh Leisure has run such a programme. It’s a win-win – with young people having a great opportunity to learn with Edinburgh Leisure and gain valuable experience, which we hope sets them up for employment in the future, either with us or another opportunity in the leisure industry. For many young people this could be life-changing for them.”
Lorenzo D’Silva, who came through the first cohort in July 2023, and secured a job as a lifeguard at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on finishing the course said: “The NPLQ course was only one week but the Prince’s Trust also gave us the opportunity to gain valuable skills in team building and interview techniques during the process which really helped when I was offered a job interview with Edinburgh Leisure. If you’ve not been in the mindset of getting a job it helps you to understand how to present yourself.
“I started working full-time in September at the Commie. It’s a great place to work with a great team. Everyone’s friendly and genuine and it’s a very inclusive place to work. There’s a great sense of camaraderie – like a big family, which is great as I come from one myself.”
