New Zealand Apprenticeship: Specialised Swim and Water Safety Teacher (Level 4)
Teaching
A course by
Te Mahi Ako
An apprenticeship program for swim teachers seeking advanced, specialised skills in delivering swim and water safety education, providing practical workplace training and extension certification in two specialist areas.
Blended study
This is a mix of online learning & face-to-face sessions
It will take a total of 2 years


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Develop specialised swim teaching skills
Gain advanced practical skills in two specialist teaching electives, such as early childhood, adult teaching, adaptive aquatics, or stroke mechanics.

Demonstrate competency through workplace assessment
Be trained, observed, and assessed on the job, proving your ability to teach swim and water safety to diverse learner groups.

Complete nationally recognised teaching extension courses
Attend and successfully complete external courses run by Swimming NZ, deepening your knowledge in chosen specialist areas.
What You're Signing Up For
This two-year, 120-credit apprenticeship helps swim teachers gain specialised skills in delivering swim and water safety teaching. Participants complete workplace training and assessment, attend Swimming NZ extension courses, and develop advanced practical capabilities in two selected areas such as early childhood, adult learners, adaptive aquatics or stroke mechanics. Open to those already employed as swim teachers, it develops advanced teaching capacity for a wide range of learner groups.
Course Content
- Completion of NZ Certificate in Aquatics (Swim and Water Safety Teacher) (Level 3)
- Two Swimming NZ teacher extension courses (choose from Early Childhood Swimmers, Adult Swimmers, Adaptive Aquatics, Stroke Mechanics)
- Workplace practical training, observation, and assessment
- External courses run by Swimming NZ
- Online assessment task: review and evaluation of teaching programmes
What you need to know first
Currently employed as a swim teacher (paid job at a pool, aquatic facility, or self-employed)
Must have completed NZ Certificate in Aquatics (Swim and Water Safety Teacher) (Level 3)

What sort of industry will this job lead to
Education
Sport and Recreation
Aquatics
Swimming

Future employment opportunities might be
Specialised swim and water safety teacher
Advanced swim instructor in aquatic facilities
Potential pathway to aquatic education team leader roles


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Our AI-powered Explorer is almost ready. Soon, you’ll be able to build a dynamic profile of your skills, goals, and strengths, and get a curated selection of courses just for you.
More details