3 Types of Swim Coach Certifications in Singapore You Need To Know
Are you getting ready to be a swim coach as a career in Singapore? If so, then you’ve most likely started researching the various swim coach certifications required by Singapore’s Swimming industry.
There are three primary types of swim coach certifications required in Singapore. Together these courses and certifications aim to provide aspiring coaches with all the knowledge and skills needed to safely teach swimmers of all ages.
This post takes a more in-depth look at the three main certifications you’ll need, as well as a quick glance at how they compare.
3 Main Types of Swimming Coach Certifications in Singapore
Here are the three main types of swim coach certification that are in the Singapore swimming industry, and they are:
- Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics
- International Accredited Teaching Swim Certifications – SCTA Swimming
- Local-In-House Certification
1) Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics
The Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics requires participants to attend classes for theoretical information before moving up to the technical courses. Participants must also attend a few coaching and swimming-related courses to gain the most recognised swim coach certification in Singapore. Below are the ones that you’ll need to attend.
a) SG Coach Level 1 Theory Programme by Republic Polytechnic (theory)
This course covers sports and coaching theories associated with being a swim coach. To pass this course, learners must complete all e-learning modules and online evaluations. Participants must be 18 years of age and must pass the minimum attendance requirement of 75% before moving on to the next level.
It’s important to be aware of the price of $425.20 (including 9% GST) before you sign up. Since this course has a high failure rate, it will require extra effort from a participant to move to the next level.
b) SG Coach Technical Programme Accreditation by Sports Singapore (theory)
As the second theoretical subject that needs to be passed, the SG Coach Technical Programme Accreditation by Sports Singapore covers specific sports training methodologies. Scheduling training is often hindered by the frequency of the course.
This course must be completed by all sports coaches. This course also has a high failure rate and contributes to the reasons why it takes almost 2 years to complete the combined courses.
c) “BCLS + AED” & “Lifesaving 1, 2 & 3” by SLSS
The Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS) + Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Course aims to teach potential coaches CPR skills for babies, toddlers and adults. The course also includes learning to provide choking relief using an AED.
Once the course has been completed, participants will receive a CPR + AED certification that is accredited by the Singapore Resuscitation and First Aid Council. Keep in mind that this course is only valid for two years.
d) SwimSafer Instructor Course
The SwimSafer Programme has six different stages to complete and was essentially designed as a test for children under the age of 16 to pass their swimming competency. However, the swim coach simply attends the SwimSafer Instructor Course.
As the “SwimSafer” programme that’s recognised by schools, and swimming institutions, there are specific prerequisites to meet for a potential coach to be eligible for the SwimSafer Instructor Course.
These requirements are:
- Registered NROC Full Membership
- Successfully completed “Understanding Safe Sport as a Coach” on SportSG-ED
- Member of TeachSAQ/CoachSAQ
Pros
- Certification is recognised in Singapore
- Allows for teaching in private and public swimming pools
- Covered by insurance in the event of an accident or incident
Cons
- Limited availability (50 pax per course for SG Coach Technical Programme Accreditation)
- Completing the course within 2 years can be challenging
- Varying course schedules offered by different organisations can be confusing
- Not recognised in other countries
2. International Accredited Teaching Swim Certifications - SCTA Swimming
A huge plus with this swim certification is that it’s internationally recognised. That means that with this course you can work anywhere in the world without having to be retrained. A few of the aspects that make these different certifications so noteworthy include the following:
- No prior experience needed
- You can achieve your dream of being a swim coach in as little as one month
- Courses are designed to suit full or part-time coaches
This course also falls under the AUTSWIM license. That means you can expect quality face-to-face delivery aimed to make you the best swim coach in the shortest time possible. The AUSTWIM accreditation is the current industry standard for swimming and water safety coaches. It’s not only recognised in Singapore but many countries around the world.
Furthermore, this course is associated with the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), which is an international award-winning charity. Their goal is to provide the skills needed to teach lifesaving swimming skills to as many people as possible. Ultimately this will reduce the number of annual drownings around the world each year.
Your certification will also be part of the National Registry of Coaches (NROC) which was created in 2003 to raise the standard and professionalism of sports coaching in Singapore. Not only do they enforce the minimum technical qualification, but provide the skills needed for swim coaches to provide a safe swimming environment for people of all ages.
Pros
- Local and international recognition
- Relatively quick completion (usually 3 months)
- Enables teaching opportunities in other countries
- Local Swim Company Recognised
- Covered by insurance when incidents happen
Cons
- Restricted to teach in public swimming pools in Singapore. Non-public pools only.
3. Local-In-House Certification
The main aspect that sets local-in-house certifications apart from the other certifications is that they are only recognised within their own company. Your in-house certifications also won’t be recognised by other companies.
That means that no matter how skilled a swimming coach is, leaving to work at another company will require a new course and certification to be completed first. It’s also important to point out that training can only be done in the pool on the premises of the in-house company.
Pros
- Recognised within its outlet
- Completion in 3 months
Cons
- Limited to teaching in company's swimming pools
- Not all condo recognised in house certification
- Lack of recognition beyond its company
- Not covered by insurance when incidents happen, compared to SCTA or Swim Coach Certification.
Comparing the 3 types of Swimming Coach Certifications
Making the most informed decision means comparing all the options. We’ve compiled a quick table comparing the key features of these three swimming coach certifications. Here’s how they stack up.
| Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics | International Accredited Teaching Swim Certifications – SCTA Swimming | In-House Certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recognised | Local and international recognition | Local and international recognition | Only in-house |
| Duration of Course | Can take as long as 2 years | 3 months | 3 months |
| Teaching Venues | Local and private swimming pools | Private swimming pools in Singapore | Private swimming pools only |
| Insurance Coverage | Covered by insurance | Covered by insurance | Not covered by national insurance |
Our Recommended Pathway
If all this information has left you wondering which steps to follow to obtain the necessary certification, here are our recommendations.
- Step 1: Attend an Internationally Recognised SCTA first before pursuing the Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics.
- Step 2: After that, start working as a swimming coach in 3 months.
- Step 3: Keep in mind that the Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics may take as long as, or even longer, than two years to complete. Waiting for this certification can delay establishing your coaching career and personal branding.
- Step 4: Building a customer base and gaining experience while at the same time pursuing Swim Coach Certification by Singapore Aquatics will ensure that you are able to set up your business. It makes more business sense to build your reputation and serve your customers rather than struggling to get certifications first. Especially when many customers select swimming schools based on a combination of experience and reputation.
Keep in mind that working while you’re busy with your certifications also gives you working experience that may make it easier to pass your assessments. Choosing the right course will provide you with a flexible schedule to work enough hours to sustain your business while at the same time perfecting your skills.
Conclusion
Being a swim coach is a very rewarding profession. Not only will you have the ability and opportunity to teach people of all ages the skills needed to be safe in the water, but you will also pass on valuable skills needed for water rescue. However, to be a fully certified and compliant coach you will need to choose the right swim coach certification in Singapore. Use our guide to get started!
If you’re looking for all the relevant and most recent information about swimming coach certification, please check out our SCTA Swimming Coach Certification for inquiries. You can also WhatsApp us at +65 9272 3871 for more information or check out our swimming coach certification by SCTA.