City of Waterloo offers 2026 free Aquatic Leadership Certification program

The City of Waterloo is offering a free daytime Aquatic Leadership Certification program this fall for adults who successfully complete an initial swimming skills assessment. The certifications can lead to employment opportunities with the city as an instructor/lifeguard.

Adults aged 21 and older are invited to attend a swimming skills assessment on Aug. 11 or Aug. 20 to evaluate their swimming ability and determine eligibility for the certification program.

Successful candidates will receive a 100 per cent discount on the following certification courses:
•    Bronze Medallion, Intermediate First Aid and CPR C
•    Bronze Cross and National Lifeguard
•    Lifesaving Society Instructor and Swim Instructor

"Waterloo continues to see strong demand for qualified aquatics staff during daytime hours," said Gus Siountres, manager of aquatics. "By covering the cost of certification training, we're helping remove a barrier to employment and creating opportunities for more residents to pursue rewarding work in aquatics."

The city previously hired 10 daytime staff members who completed the fast-track certification program.

Registration for the swimming assessments is now open. Successful candidates will be invited to participate in a 15-week fast-track program that includes the six certifications required to work as an instructor or lifeguard with the City of Waterloo.

Upon completion of the certification program, participants may submit a resume and apply for instructor/lifeguard positions. Candidates selected to move forward will participate in the city's aquatic staff screening process for potential employment beginning in January 2027.

For more information about the program and upcoming assessment dates, visit waterloo.ca/free-leadership.

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Media contact
Jennifer Reed 
Communications Consultant, Corporate Communications
jennifer.reed@waterloo.ca