Partnering brings the North Coast nationally accredited lifeguards

Tuesday 10 October 2006

TAFE NSW - North Coast Institute were successful in winning Government Funding to assist the Surf Life Saving NSW (SLS NSW) achieve their goal of ensuring their qualified lifeguards are fully trained and highly skilled. The North Coast Institute accessed funding through the Partnering – Training Program and successfully won 15 places in the Certificate IV Training and Assessment course.

“As part of an internal review of our training needs, we identified a number of our volunteer and committee members needed to obtain training in the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment to comply with current legislation. This partnering opportunity with North Coast Institute provided important skills development for our members”, said Mike Stevenson, Director of Life Saving & Education, Mid North Coast Branch.

This ground breaking initiative included 39 members from both the Lower Mid North Coast as far south as Forster and the Mid North Coast north to South West Rocks. 

“The course was tailored for surf lifesaving ensuring it was relevant and current. We then negotiated with Craig Roberts, SLS NSW to have a further 24 volunteers have their skills recognised, undertake gap training and receive their Certificate IV Training and Assessment alongside the 15 funded candidates, “ said Anne Walsh, North Coast Institute Teacher and SLS member.

This unique specialised program was targeted at members who were committed to being trainers, assessors and facilitators and to create pathways for members into further training.

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

A graduation and presentation was held on Saturday 7 October at 1pm at Port Macquarie Campus.