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ASA's joint scheme with Future Jobs Fund bearing fruit
A total of 300 trainee aquatic assistants are preparing for a career in leisure following a joint initiative by the Amateur Swimming Association and Future jobs Fund.
One of them is 22-year-old Jasmine Barnard from Hertfordshire, has started a six-month long placement at Great Dunmow Leisure Centre in Essex funded by the scheme.
"Since I left school I tried out quite a few different jobs - waitressing and hotel receptionist, pharmacy assistant and an activities co-ordinator in a residential home, but none of them felt quite right," she said.
"Working in aquatics wasn't something that I automatically thought of as a career, I didn't even think of the leisure industry at all - even though I go swimming regularly it didn't occur to me!
As well as gaining valuable work experience, Jasmine has the opportunity to achieve recognised qualifications including the ASA UKCC Level 1 Certificate in Teaching Aquatics and RLSS National Pool Lifeguard. She will also benefit from vocational training in areas such as customer service, communication and marketing.
When her six-month work placement has been completed later this year, Jasmine hopes to be taken on as a full time employee at Great Dunmow Leisure Centre.
Placements are available for young people aged 18-24 who have been out of work for more than six months.