It is a myth that there is only one body that can award a Pool Plant Qualification. One particular awarding body describes their qualification as the ‘Gold Standard’.
This is purely a marketing term. There is no ‘Gold Standard’.
There are a number of qualifications available and provided they meet H&S guidelines they all have legitimacy.
UK law stipulates that swimming pools should be managed in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Health and Safety legislation continually refers to the obligation in law for employers to provide ‘suitable and sufficient training and information’ to employees.
The PASOQ Technicians Certificate complies fully with the Health & Safety Executive guidelines document HSG 179 and the Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) Code of Practice for Swimming Pool Water – 2016 (updated to reflect the requirements of Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179) November 3, 2017).
PASOQ qualifications have been designed for the industry by the PASOQ Education Board, which is made up of Tutors and Trainers who are all still actively involved in the management and operation of commercial and public facilities. Their remit is to oversee and maintain the Standards and Quality of the qualifications.
Technician Certificate (3 Day Course)
OVERVIEW
The PASOQ Technician Certificate indicates that staff who are – or intend to – operate in a pool and perform tasks with significant operational or safety impacts have the competencies to do so.
It ensures that the theoretical knowledge gained on the course is then firmly underpinned by technical skills and expertise gained in a plant room environment.
This is achieved by ensuring that the learning outcomes required in order to gain the certificate satisfy the relevant Health and Safety recommendations.
The certificate is awarded following attendance on a course, the successful completion of an end-of-course test (multi-choice) and the successful submission to an independent assessor of a work-based assignment within four weeks of the course end.
SYLLABUS COVERED
- Circulation
- Filtration
- Disinfection
- Chemical Dosing
- Basic Pool Chemistry
- Water Testing & Control
- The Swimming Pool – Types of pools; Pollution & Hygiene; Management & Training; Design.
- Hygiene
- Emergency Procedures
- The Pool Environment
- Chemical Safety
- Health Issues
- Maintenance & Record Keeping
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- 3 days course attendance
- Completion of a pre-course worksheet
- Successful completion of an-end-of course multi-choice test paper
- Successful completion of a work-based assignment that is submitted to an independent assessor within 4 weeks of the course end date. Part of this assignment will be a requirement to demonstrate practical water testing, analysis of results and remedial actions and to carry out a filter backwash under supervision
QUALIFICATIONS / CRITERIA FOR TUTORS:
PASOQ tutors must have at least 5 years suitable experience in the leisure industry.
They must satisfy the PASOQ board that they have the knowledge and presentation skills required to deliver PASOQ courses. To become a PASOQ tutor the first stage is to submit a CV. Following submission, accreditation as a PASOQ tutor may be achieved in the following ways:
- By acknowledgement of prior knowledge and achievement.
- By interview.
- By being observed delivering a presentation.
- Scrutiny of course appraisal forms.
In order to ensure the quality of PASOQ courses and maintain teaching and presentation standards, all PASOQ tutors are required to once per year attend a course operated by another PASOQ tutor in order to observe and share knowledge and experience.
course costs
To obtain the current prices for our course materials as well as per capita fees, simply get in touch with us.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
By the end of the course successful candidates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of both generic plant, and their own pool plant. This will include the circulation, filtration, disinfection, pH correction, safe use of chemicals and heating of pool water. It will enable them to be competent in the safe and efficient operation of pool plant to HSE requirements as described in ‘Managing health and safety in swimming pools’ (HSG179) and Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) Code of Practice for Swimming Pool Water – July 2021 (updated to reflect the requirements of Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179) November 3, 2017)
In line with industry recommendations the course provides candidates with 3 days formal pool training and a work related exercise demonstrating site specific knowledge of their own workplace.
course materials
Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group (PWTAG) Code of Practice for Swimming Pool Water – July 2021 (updated to reflect the requirements of Managing Health and Safety in Swimming Pools (HSG179) November 3, 2017) to be provided to all candidates.
The comprehensive Pool Professional’s Manual and the Lovibond ‘Pool & Spa Water Treatment and Analysis‘ booklet to be provided to all candidates.
Standardised test papers and work-based assignments to be provided electronically to the tutors by PASOQ
Powerpoint presentation and all other course materials to be provided by the tutor. The tutor has the freedom to deliver the course in the manner that they choose, providing the learning outcomes are achieved.
Simple model presentations and course lesson plans are available as a starting point for tutors. These can be adapted or personalised to suit individual tutors’ styles.
PASOQ-produced key handouts will be provided electronically to the tutors by PASOQ.
currency
The currency of the Technician certificate is 5 years, followed by attendance on a I day revalidation seminar.
Certification and other associated admin is provided by PASOQ.
PASOQ maintains a register of all technicians holding a valid certificate. This information is available via the PASOQ website.
PASOQ provides a website displaying information and advertising all courses with links to the tutor or agency delivering the course. Course deliverers/tutors are responsible for all the admin relating to their own courses.
Work-based assignments are marked independently by an assessor allocated by PASOQ.
Course deliverers pay a per capita fee to PASOQ for course attendees.
other qualifications
- PASOQ Foundation Certificate course (1 day)
- PASOQ Technician Certificate Revalidation seminar (1 day)
- PASOQ Advanced Technician Certificate course (2 day)