Photo Courtesy Eastlink Centre Facebook Page

By Tanner Smith

Eastlink Centre

City introduces Aquatics New Hire Incentive Program due to nation-wide lifeguard shortage

Jun 24, 2022 | 12:27 PM

The City of Grande Prairie has created the Aquatics New Hire Incentive Program just in time for summer.

Angela Redding, General Manager at the Community Knowledge Campus said this program not only encourages people to become a lifeguard, but also bridges the gap for people who don’t have the funds to get certification.

“Any new lifeguarding staff can be reimbursed for up to $500 if they take their training and complete their bronze medal courses, their national lifeguard certification in 2022, and then if they remain employed with the City of Grande Prairie for three months if they are successful in getting recruited,” said Redding.

The program was originally designed for a country-wide lifeguard shortage.

“The lifeguard shortage is not a unique problem to the Eastlink Centre, this is nationwide and was related to pandemic restrictions,” she said.

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This program has rolled out at the perfect time for summer. Redding believes this is a perfect opportunity for college and high school students who are athletic and love the water to learn and make some money this summer.

“We work with them (students) with flexible schedules, professional development opportunities, we also have really good competitive pay; so from junior lifeguards up to our senior lifeguards its a nice break almost from the academics, lots of our staff are busy during the winter months,” said Redding.

Anyone wanting more information on the Aquatic New Hire Incentive Program can click here and anyone looking to sign up and apply can click here.