Breaking down barriers to train more swimming teachers

Rebecca Cox

The Institute of Swimming (IOS) is on a mission to dismantle long-standing barriers that prevent people from becoming swimming teachers. Through strategic initiatives and fresh funding models, the not-for-profit organisation aims to reshape who and how people enter the aquatics industry.

At the heart of its plans is the Institute of Swimming Recruitment Academy, a programme that has funded more than 1,000 course places across the past three years - 238 in 2024 alone - through partnerships with leisure operators who share the training costs. Diversifying the workforce is among its main aims; the number of people from ethnically diverse communities training to become swimming teachers has more than doubled since the Academies started, from just 10% in 2022 to 25% in 2024.

The year-on-year growth reflects the IOS’s strategy to geographically position Recruitment Academies in high areas of diversity. IOS has also transformed its marketing approach, incorporating more diverse voices and imagery that authentically represent diverse communities.

Rebecca Cox, Managing Director, IOS explains: “If people can’t see themselves reflected in our marketing campaigns, they’re less likely to believe this profession is for them. By showcasing real stories and faces from diverse backgrounds, we’re showing that swimming teaching is a career path open to everyone, regardless of their heritage.”

Financial accessibility remains a cornerstone of the Institute of Swimming’s approach to reducing barriers and, beyond the funded academy places, in February 2025 it introduced a Pay in 3 option for people privately funding their training and CPD courses. More than 500 people have already made use of the flexible, split payments, representing 22% of all individual course bookings, and 59% of these are under 25 years old, enabling younger people to access training opportunities despite financial constraints.

swimming teaching is a career path open to everyone, regardless of their heritage

Rebecca Cox