News & Updates

The STA Level 3 Award in Pool Plant Operations is the latest qualification to be endorsed by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity). With CIMSPA’s aim being to develop a UK wide, vibrant and professional workforce through the provision of quality qualifications, endorsement gives added credibility to STA’s newest qualification.

Luke Griffiths MCIMSPA, STA’s Technical Manager for Pool Plant and the editor of the new Level 3 qualification said: It is fantastic to achieve endorsement from the sector’s single chartered professional body. It further highlights the high quality of the qualification, its relevance to a modern leisure industry and most importantly, how it serves to promote safe pool, spa and interactive water feature operations.

The new Pool Plant Operations qualification, which only recently launched following a year’s development and consultation with industry groups, has been produced by the STA to ensure it is fit-for-purpose and relevant to the industry and all different pool types – from sports and leisure centres to hotels, spas, and interactive water features.

Written with the whole industry in mind, it is more user-friendly, robust and has a technically advanced syllabus that importantly covers all aspects of running a pool, spa or interactive water feature plant.

Luke explains: Today’s commercial swimming pools come in a variety of forms, shapes and sizes, with all having a diverse range of uses and users. We therefore wanted the qualification’s syllabus to reflect this, and by working with and listening to STA tutors, pool operators, health professionals, regulators and professional groups involved in the health and safety management of swimming pools, we have created all-encompassing content and learning outcomes. Gaining endorsement from CIMSPA serves as testament to this.

The units covered in the syllabus include principles of healthy and hygienic pool water; principles of water testing; principles of disinfection, pool chemistry and dosing in pool plant operations; principles of mechanical pool plant operations; swimming pool heating, ventilation and energy efficiency; management practices and health and safety in pool plant operations.

Robbie Phillips, STA’s lead pool plant tutor adds: Ultimately our aim is to make sure pool plant operators are appropriately trained and qualified to manage hygienically safe facilities. Having consulted with the industry we have gained valuable insight and feedback, and we are confident that the new qualification covers all elements of modern pool and spa operations in a practical, learner-friendly way. Endorsement from CIMSPA confirms this.