Puddle Ducks welcomes a new generation of teachers through apprenticeships and traineeships

With an increased demand for swimming lessons post-lockdown, Puddle Ducks is innovating the ways it can welcome new teachers to the network

Baby and child swim school franchise, Puddle Ducks, is paving the way for younger people to join the sector, providing a variety of apprenticeships and traineeships for 16- to 24-year-olds, allowing them to begin their careers as swimming teachers whilst supporting the franchise network with recruitment and training.

With an increased demand for swimming lessons post-lockdown, Puddle Ducks is innovating the ways it can welcome new teachers to the network, including the 16 to 24 age group who are looking to launch their careers in a fun and active sector.

The company is running its apprenticeship programme alongside Movement to Work, a non-for-profit encouraging employers to tackle youth unemployment. Launched to its network of 33 franchise offices across England, Scotland and Wales, the apprenticeship opportunity is STA-approved and offers apprentices a 30-hour workweek with experience in teaching swim academy lessons to children over five, facilities management, customer service and poolside assistance.

Puddle Ducks is also pleased to launch its new traineeship programme, allowing 16 to 24-year-olds to access 12 weeks of training to become fully qualified swimming teachers. The traineeship is unpaid, but all expenses are paid including travel costs and all trainees are offered an interview with the swim school once completed for a teaching role.

With the support of Icon Training, the traineeship allows trainees to access ongoing mentoring throughout the 12 weeks, finishing with an STA and Puddle Ducks approved qualification.

Jo Stone, managing director at Puddle Ducks said: “We are really excited about our new career entry programmes for 16 to 24-year-olds, creating new opportunities for young adults to begin their career in the leisure industry and particularly in teaching children to love the water.

“There are more people than ever wanting to learn to swim. These roles will let younger people access direct routes into teaching, and access further career progression throughout our Puddle Ducks franchise offices. We would be delighted to see trainees and apprenticeships stick with us throughout their careers, share their passion for the water, and maybe even become franchisees!”

Jo Stone and Rachel Bateson (pictured), franchise manager at the flagship Mid-Cheshire franchise, recently attended a careers fair at a local high school, presenting their apprenticeship opportunities to local 16-year-olds thinking about their next steps. The skills acquired through a Puddle Ducks apprenticeship are transferable and will go on to benefit apprentices throughout their careers.