IMPORTANT INDUSTRY TRAINING UPDATE

Strengthening the Aquatic Technical Operator course

Following our industry feedback and a review of how the ATO course is delivered nationally, Royal Life Saving WA (RLSWA) has updated its Aquatic Technical Operator course. LIWA welcomes the changes, which give participants more time to build the practical skills they need to operate and maintain aquatic facilities.

The nationally recognised SISSS00131 Aquatic Technical Operator Skill Set remains a four-day course. The chlorine gas handling and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) content has been removed from the core program and added as an optional one-day course.This important change will allow more time for practical activities, assessment and in-depth learning across the core units.

Participants develop skills in:

• testing and managing pool water quality
• monitoring and maintaining aquatic facility plant and equipment
• coordinating facility maintenance
• identifying workplace hazards and applying risk controls.

This is a valuable opportunity to strengthen the core skills of current and future aquatic technical operators. For the purposes of the WA Code of Practice, the training meets the technical operations training requirements for Group 1, 2, 3 and 4 aquatic facilities.

Additional training for chlorine gas facilities

People who work, or intend to work, at a facility using chlorine gas will need to book the separate Chlorine Gas Handling & SCBA course. It is offered as an additional day after the ATO course, and can also be taken on its own.

This course also serves as another option for aquatic technical operators to obtain annual refresher or upskilling training. 

Supporting access to training

The industry has been fortunate to receive State Government funding for a limited number of ATO course places, which saves participants over $1115 per person for the ATO course. Please note that the Chlorine Gas Handling & SCBA course is not covered under this funding.  LIWA will continue advocating for more funded placements so that more people across the sector can access this important training.