The current shortage of swimming instructors is partly caused by the corona measures, with the swimming instructor’s training put on hold. Also, the fact that Cios and Fontys have stopped making swimming a compulsory subject ‘does not help’. This is what the Eindhoven City Council says in response to questions from the Ouderen Appèl Eindhoven (Eindhoven Elderly Appeal).
OAE raised concerns regarding the pause in recreational swimming until Christmas. The training of swimming teachers was also stopped due to corona measures for some time. Because of this, internships could not take place, according to the municipality.
Shortage of swimming instructors
Swimming is no longer a compulsory subject at the Cios and Fontys sports academies. As a result, far fewer students are qualified to supervise and teach, according to the municipality. For example, before the summer there were four vacancies for full-time jobs as swimming instructors, but no one suitable was found. On top of that, after the summer, three employees dropped out.
The Municipality of Eindhoven reports that there are now candidates to fill the vacancies. For example, four candidates who were unemployed for a long time are going to follow a training course. The municipality also announces that it has approached personnel within the civil service who previously worked as swimming instructors.
Almost 20 new candidates
The municipality also announces that the media attention caused by the decision to put a hold on the instructor training did bring in the necessary candidates. In total, there are eight candidates to fill the vacancies. There are also eleven candidates for training. Finally, the municipality announces that the arrival of the major swimming tournament, the International Swimming League, will have little or no effect on staffing levels. For the ISL, no supervisors or swimming teachers will be deployed, according to the municipality.
Source: Studio040
Translated by: Anitha Sevugan
