surf lifesaving

Volunteer training
secures beach safety

Surf lifesavers in the state’s north are now better equipped to train other recruits following a joint training initiative between TAFE NSW – North Coast Institute and Surf Lifesaving NSW (SLS NSW).

Lifesavers advanced their skills in the design, development, delivery and assessment of in-house training courses by completing a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

A grant from in the government’s Partnering – Training Program was essential to the success of the training initiative as the SLS relies on the work of volunteers and money raised from fundraising and donations.

Mike Stevenson, Director of Life Saving and Education, Mid North Coast Branch, said that SLS was now a Registered Training Organisation and had to comply with current legislation. This required all trainers, assessors and facilitators to undertake further training.

‘This partnering opportunity with North Coast Institute provided important skills development for our members,’ he said. ‘It’s very important that we have accredited trainers and assessors. It was a big boost for our clubs to get access to the training.’

Anne Walsh, teacher at North Coast Institute and SLS member, said the training units had to be contextualised for SLS. Participants studied 14 units during a three-month period. ‘Our members now have a nationally accredited qualification which can be used in surf lifesaving as well as outside employment,’ she said.

She said people travelled to the Port Macquarie campus during weekends and came from areas spanning the entire Mid North Coast, as far north as Macksville and south to Forster. ‘Some people had a long way to come so we billeted them locally. It was a huge community effort.’ Participants tested new training methods and conducted assessment tasks back at their clubs.

Kim Rayner, secretary, Mid North Coast Branch, has been an SLS trainer since the 1980s and was one of the 39 people to complete the Certificate IV. ‘I got a lot out of it,’ she said. ‘I am in my third season of being a chief instructor and the course helped to clarify different methods of delivery and will help in my planning.’

Debbie Kennington, Head Teacher Business said the North Coast Institute was Australia’s Best Large Training Provider of the Year (2004) and was well positioned to collaborate with SLS NSW on sourcing further funding opportunities in the future.

Educators and lifesavers: North Coast recruits ready to train and rescue.