The Chicago Park District has launched a brand-new Lifeguard Training Academy to prepare the lifeguard workforce for the upcoming summer.
According to a release by the Chicago Park District, the new programs are for building a strong workforce of lifeguards by connecting candidates to summer jobs and improving the capacity of future lifeguards.
“Providing Chicago families with fun and active recreational activities throughout the summer relies upon a strong workforce,” said Rosa Escareño, General Superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. “As one of the largest employers of youth, we are making important investments in building our seasonal workforce pipeline disrupted by the pandemic. We are investing in youth by reducing cost barriers on training and building robust workforce and life-skills training.”
The release stated that lifeguard candidates will go through a comprehensive training program at the Lifeguard Training Academy. This is intended to rejuvenate the recruitment of lifeguards that has slowed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is essential to recruit top candidates, and Chicago has been renowned for their quality lifeguards. The lifeguards in Chicago are known to be in extremely good physical shape and also have pledged to keep the swimmers on beaches and pools safe.
The program will provide life-saving and transferable skills for lifeguards who want a career as a first responder down the line, according to the Chicago Park District.
The academy has three programs involved. The first is a lifeguard skills test, which includes life-saving tasks like swimming 20 yards underwater, retrieving a 10-pound object from 10 to 14 feet down and more. There is also the American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard Certification where they are trained in first aid, CPR, AED, waterfront skills, bloodborne pathogens, asthma inhaler, epinephrine auto injector and administering oxygen. The Lifeguard Training Academy is the final step where the candidates spend three days learning about being safe at the beach or pool.
The “Your Perfect Summer Job” campaign was launched and coincides with training sessions while removing financial barriers for specialized training. The goal of this program is to increase hiring and support lifeguard candidates as they apply. It is designed to promote more than 2,500 seasonal jobs available at parks throughout the city. Candidates must be at least 16 Yeats old and meet necessary qualifications to apply for the positions, which includes lifeguard, recreational leader and more.