SWIM teachers are being celebrated across Scotland as part of a national recruitment drive.
The Learn to Swim framework, which is partnered with Scottish Swimming and Scottish Water, is shining a light on those who teach youngsters to swim.
The national drive will be delivered by 37 aquatic providers across the country in more than 160 pools.
Organisers are aiming to recruit a new network of swim teachers as at least 10% more teachers are required to meet the demand for the numbers of children wanting to take lessons.
Applicants are being promised "huge job satisfaction" as they help children of all ages become more confident, competent and safer swimmers.
Euan Lowe, chief executive of Scottish Swimming, said: “Being a swimming teacher is an incredibly rewarding career, teaching an essential life skill to others. So, we’re delighted to be celebrating the individuals which make up the backbone of the programme during the month-long recruitment drive.
“It takes three months to train a swimming teacher and equip them with the skills they need, so we want to get the recruitment absolutely right depending on the needs of each specific area.
“We are still feeling the aftershocks from the pandemic and one of the biggest issues is the loss of so many teachers over the past two years. While this brings a lot of difficulties, it is also a huge opportunity.
“For anyone looking for a rewarding job, particularly something flexible and part-time, this could be perfect. It’s particularly great work for students who can complete the training after leaving school, then go on to be a swim teacher anywhere in Scotland that college or university studies may take them.”
Hopeful instructors will be put through the Scottish Swimming Teacher Qualification (SSTQ), which is the industry standard for those who wish to teach unsupervised to groups of swimmers with a range of abilities.
Brian Lironi, director of corporate affairs with Scottish Water, said: “Some of our partners who deliver Learn to Swim have been hit much harder than others by loss of swimming teachers, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
“It is an amazing opportunity to be part of creating a meaningful legacy for Scotland and helping to keep children safe in and around water.”
The Learn to Swim framework has provided lessons to more than 100,000 young people, and aims to reach a further 100,000 by 2025.
The next stage of Learn to Swim hopes to build a "legacy" for Scotland by creating “Generation Swim” to improve water safety.
