Careers in the aquatic recreation, sports and leisure industry with ongoing training leading to national and internationally-recognised qualifications are on offer in South Canterbury with the Timaru District Council calling for staff for its existing and new pools programmes.

The council has positions available at its five pools, Geraldine, Temuka, Pleasant Point, Century and Caroline Bay outdoor pool. Full-time, part-time and seasonal staff are required.
But with approximately 30 staff required for the new Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre before it opens in July next year, most being new and vacant positions, the council has launched a wide-ranging recruitment programme seeking people that recreation facilities manager Gary Easthope says will have a “go-getter attitude, excellent customer service skills and a strong team approach”.

He says the openings represent a great opportunity for those in the local community who want to work in an exciting and fun industry.

“The immediate need is recruitment for vacant positions at existing council aquatic facilities and this has begun including the seeking of seasonal staff for district summer pools,” Mr Easthope said.

“But we hope to be able to retain some quality seasonal staff into CBay positions from April 2012.”

He hoped the prospect of appointment to the new aquatic centre would lead to new interest in the roles currently available.

“We are now able to provide and promote a genuine pathway for someone who is interested in a career in the recreation, sports and leisure industry,” Mr Easthope said.

Structured support from the industry training organisation Skills Active as well as Water Safety NZ and Swimming NZ provided opportunities for ongoing professional development programmes leading to qualifications in areas such as aquatic education, customer service, retail, front-line management, health and safety, water treatment, and wellness and fitness, he said.

“Ongoing training and personal development are obviously critical factors to our team members consistently delivering on our customer expectations.

“We want to attract and retain the right people to work in what will be a flagship centre but what is also a fantastic industry to be involved in.”

Recruitment for management level team leaders for the Caroline Bay Aquatic Centre will begin in the next few weeks with the positions being advertised both nationally and on the internet. Further recruitment will follow as the positions need to come online in the next six months, Mr Easthope said.

ENDS

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