Become a Trainer, Assessor or Facilitator

The Educational Pathway

If you enjoy supporting others learn, grow and develop, or have experience in education or training, why not consider joining your Club’s Education Team.

The Education team at every club plays a critical role in Surf Life Saving. Led by the Chief Instructor, the Education team drives the growth and development of lifesavers across the state. There are many avenues and opportunities for those who are interested in pursuing an educational pathway.

If interested, find out more through the following information and have a chat to your Chief Instructor about current opportunities to get involved.   

Trainers

What is the role of a Trainer?

Trainers teach the skills and knowledge of our courses but do not make assessment decisions. They deliver courses to members of their club and support them through their learner journey. They also play a large role in ensuring new members feel welcome and safe at their SLSC.

The role and duties of a Trainer will vary at each club, but common duties include:

  • Organising training dates and groups

  • Coordinating training opportunities

  • Delivering courses

Support for Trainers:

  • Resources developed by SLSA and SLSSA

  • Chief Instructors

  • Other trainers

  • SLSSA Member Education Team

They work with:

  • Club Chief Instructors

  • Other trainers

  • Assessors

  • State Centre

  • Participants and parents

Assessors

What is the role of an Assessor?

Assessors are responsible for assessing participants once they have the skills and knowledge required.

At assessment events, Assessors determine the competency outcome of course participants and complete each participant’s assessment portfolio to award them with both the SLS award and any aligned units of competency, e.g. the SLS Bronze Medallion and the Certificate II in Public Safety (Aquatic Rescue).

FACILITATORS

What is the role of a Facilitator?

Facilitators can train or assess course participants. They are able train, and assess, the same course participants completing selected SLS awards and nationally recognised units of competency using SLSA and SLSSA resources. These selected SLS awards (inhouse assessments at clubs) include:

  • SRC

  • Radio Operations

  • Resus (CPR)

  • IRB Crew

This is helpful when more than one club comes together to deliver courses to larger groups of members, and for smaller clubs that may only have one person available to train and assess members.

Some high-risk and/or less frequently delivered courses may only be delivered by SLSSA-endorsed assessors or appointed facilitators. These courses include:

  • First Aid

  • Silver Medallion IRB Driver

  • Silver Medallion Patrol Captain

  • Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue

  • EOG Awards

Facilitator Qualifications

A Facilitator must hold a current Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

Already Hold Certificate IV in Training and Assessment?

For those who come to surf and already hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, you can become a SLSSA Facilitator by:

  • Undertaking a skill set analysis of your Certificate IV units to address any upskilling requirements

  • Undertaking the Probationary Trainer and Assessor steps to become an Endorsed Trainer and then an Endorsed Assessor

Re-Endorsement

Like other SLSA awards, SLSSA Training Officers and Assessors need to undertake proficiency each year. We call this ‘TAF Re-Endorsement’

TAF Re-Endorsement involves checking that you:

  • Are still proficient in the awards you are training or Assessing.

  • Hold current First Aid and CPR qualifications.

  • Have a current Working with Children Check and National Police Check.

  • Have attended professional development opportunities.

  • Have been active in training and/or assessing over the last 12 months.

Updating of Qualifications

SLSSA monitors when updating of qualifications is required by our Trainers, Assessors and Facilitators due to changes in TAF requirements. If updating is required, we will work with our volunteers to support them with this need.   

ENDORSED DELEGATES

What is the role of an Endorsed Delegate?

An Endorsed Delegate supports Chief Instructors by acting as an industry expert and assisting in the assessment of Skills Maintenance activities at your club.

Clubs may nominate suitably qualified members to act as an Endorsed Delegate to assist in the Skills Maintenance of the following SLS awards:

  • Bronze/SRC

  • Resuscitation (CPR)

  • ART

  • IRB Crew

  • SMAR

  • SSV

The exception to this is that all Powercraft award holders (except IRB Crew) must be observed by qualified Assessors.

Support Available

Education Team

There are lots of different people who can support you in your role as Education Volunteer. They include:

  • Chief Instructors

  • Other TAFs

  • Education Advisory committee members

  • SLSSA Member Education Staff

Resources

  • SLSQLD Courses and Training

  • SLSSA Awards & Qualifications

 

If you have any further questions about the support available or joining the Education Team, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the SLSSA Member Education Team via member.ed@surflifesavingsa.com.au