STA’s The Ripple Effect initiative is celebrating another major success after all 10 learners taking part in its second fully funded swimming teacher training programme in Coventry successfully achieved their qualification, thanks to funding from local Coventry grants.

The latest course follows the success of The Ripple Effect’s first Coventry programme earlier this year, which resulted in seven newly qualified swimming teachers. Together, the two programmes have now created 17 new swimming teachers, opening up new career opportunities while helping to support the aquatic sector’s ongoing need for more qualified teachers.

Delivered once again at Jaguar Cars Sports & Social Club in Coventry by STA Tutor Alice Kidd, the latest programme enabled 10 learners to achieve the STA Level 2 in Swimming Teacher qualification.

Local Coventry grant funding helped to make the fully funded training possible, removing the financial barriers that can prevent people from accessing professional training and taking their first steps towards a career in aquatics.

The course forms part of The Ripple Effect, STA’s charitable initiative designed to remove barriers to training and create new pathways into careers in aquatics.

The second Coventry cohort started with 10 learners, all sharing the ambition to become swimming teachers and play their part in supporting the aquatic workforce. Through their hard work and dedication, every learner successfully completed the course and achieved their qualification.

Alice Kidd, STA Tutor, said: “We started this course with 10 people who all had the desire to become swimming teachers and help address the shortage of teachers across the UK, and I’m incredibly proud that every one of them has succeeded.

“They worked so hard throughout the course and showed real dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to learning. To see all 10 achieve their qualification is fantastic.

“I know they will go on to become brilliant swimming teachers and I wish every one of them the very best of luck as they begin their teaching careers.”

One of the learners, Sikander Sidu, said: “I thought the course was really engaging and covered all aspects of teaching swimming really well. I decided to apply because I was struggling to find a job and have always had a passion for swimming and water sports.

“Completing the course has now given me the opportunity to apply for roles with swim schools looking for qualified teachers. It has given me a way into the world of work, where I can start gaining experience, building my professional profile and earning my own income.

“Without the funding, I probably wouldn’t have been able to complete the course because of the cost, so it has given me an opportunity I might not otherwise have had to gain a widely recognised qualification and hopefully start a career doing something I enjoy.

“I particularly liked the mix of classroom learning and practical experience, where we could put what we had learned into practice by teaching swimming lessons. Overall, it was a really positive experience and the training has given me the knowledge, practical experience and confidence to take my next steps into employment as a swimming teacher.”

The achievement builds on the success of The Ripple Effect’s first fully funded swimming teacher programme, also held in Coventry, which resulted in seven newly qualified swimming teachers. Among them was former GB Artistic Swimming squad member Alyssa Anderson, who secured her first swimming teaching role at Northfield Leisure Centre in Birmingham less than a week after qualifying.

Dave Candler, CEO of STA, said: “To see The Ripple Effect deliver another successful programme, with all 10 learners achieving their qualification, is exactly what this initiative is about.

“There are people in communities across the UK who have the passion, aptitude and commitment to become excellent swimming teachers, but for whom the cost or accessibility of training can create a barrier.

“The success of this second Coventry course also demonstrates the very real impact that local grant funding can have. By investing in people and removing the financial barrier to training, that funding has directly helped another 10 people gain a professional qualification and take their first steps towards a new career.

“Following the success of our first Coventry cohort, it is fantastic to see the ripple continuing. We now have another 10 qualified swimming teachers ready to make a difference in their communities, helping more people learn a vital life skill and develop confidence in the water.

“This is about much more than qualifications. It is about creating opportunities, supporting communities and helping to build a stronger, more diverse and sustainable aquatics workforce for the future.”

The Ripple Effect works with Approved Training Centres, STA tutors, employers and community organisations to create funded workforce development opportunities, helping to widen access to aquatic careers while supporting the development of the swimming teaching workforce.

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