Training & Education pathways provide an opportunity for members to share skills and knowledge to drive the growth and development of surf lifesavers at not only their own club, but also across their region and even the state.
Explore some of the roles and opportunities below and take the next step in your life saving journey!
Trainer
Trainers are responsible for delivering surf life saving courses to members and are vital to the sustainability of our movement. Trainers can select which courses they wish to train but must hold and maintain proficiency in each course they deliver.
A trainer’s main role is to train members new skills in accordance with course criteria. Trainers must:
Know and understand the course content and the assessment criteria
Ensure the safety of all candidates, take steps to minimise risks, and complete and record a risk assessment for all wet activities
Ensure water safety policy and procedures are followed
Maintain good communication with all candidates, TAFs, and Head of Education
A Head or Lead Trainer is also appointed to every course. They are responsible for the smooth running of the course and, in addition to the responsibilities of a trainer, must:
Ensure the venue, equipment, and schedule has been organised
Ensure all candidates and trainers know the schedule
Allocate trainers to every session
If you have prior training, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you are interested in becoming a trainer, speak with your club’s education team.
Assessor
Assessors are responsible for assessing participants once they have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge, determining each learner’s competency against the SLS Awards, e.g. Bronze Medallion. They are responsible for ensuring that the standards are maintained and to deliver skills maintenance checks to keep members awards and skills current.
Assessors must:
Have the latest version of the assessment criteria for the award that is being assessed
Brief the candidates on what to expect and check for understanding
Conduct a fair, flexible, valid, and reliable assessment
Provide candidates with feedback
Ensure the correct documentation has been completed for the course
Provide support to the Assessor-in-Charge (AIC) and carry out duties as requested
An Assessor may assesses people from their own club and from other clubs.
If you have prior training, you may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If you are interested in becoming an assessor, speak with your club’s education team.
FACILITATOR
A member who holds the trainer and assessor award may become a facilitator of a particular award. This enables them to train and assess the entire course.
Only certain courses can be facilitated; generally these are shorter courses such as First Aid or Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue for example.
Facilitators must:
Hold and maintain proficiency in each course they deliver.
If you are interested in becoming a facilitator, speak with your club’s education team.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Becoming a Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator can provide you with a range of skills and competency that can be applicable to many employment opportunities.
At Surf Life Saving WA, we regularly hire First Aid Trainers, as well as Instructors to assist in the delivery of our first aid courses and community programs.
If you are interested in any of these roles, please reach out to our Training department, or keep an eye on our employment page throughout the year.
WA Trainer, Assessor, Facilitator to hold and be current in the surf award you are training, assessing or facilitating (check via the SLS Hub under awards for currency)
Hold a current WA Trainer Officer, Assessor, or Facilitator award relevant to the TAF.
Attend a WA TAF Development Session (in-service) each year
To Maintain recording of your proficiency in the WA TAF awards, complete the WA TAF CurrencyForm (available in Members Area, Document Library, SLSWA, Education) at least every 2 years and forward through to your education officer who onforwards to SLSWA
Treat everyone with respect and fairly. All members must abide by SLSA Members ProtectionPolicy 6.05 and Child Protection Policy 6.04
Abide by all Health and Safety legislation and policies
Risk assessment form (or use the App) must be completed for all wet activities
Complete the ‘Child Safe Awareness’ online Course or equivalent
Have a current Working with Children Check (exemptions may apply check with your club)
Candidates must be deemed competent in all tasks within a three-month period from the date of the first assessment to be awarded their certificate of Bronze or SRC (unless there are exceptional circumstances) otherwise candidates would need to re-sit the entire assessment.
