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This week on Mondays Down Under, Lee (Australia) and Shane (New Zealand) jump in—literally and figuratively—with a conversation that starts with cold weather swims and ends with one of the biggest training breakthroughs for the pool industry across Oceania.

What was supposed to be a short topic grew into a full deep-dive on safety, qualifications, licensing, training pathways, industry standards, and why professionalizing pool service matters more now than ever.

Episode Summary

Lee and Shane open with some updates from home: unseasonably cold weather, chilly swims, and Lee’s grandson discovering his natural frog-leg breaststroke in the bathtub. The laughter fades into a sobering discussion about water safety after the tragic drowning of an eight-year-old autistic boy in Victoria—highlighting the importance of early swimming lessons, supervision, and community awareness as summer approaches in Australia.

From there, the episode shifts to major industry news: New Zealand now has a recognized Cert III qualification in swimming pool and spa building. This is a huge step forward in lifting professionalism across the region.

Lee breaks down what this means for both countries:
 • How Cert III and IV training works
 • The difference between qualification vs. licensing
 • Why licensing varies by state
 • What RPL (Recognized Prior Learning) is
 • Why experienced techs may still benefit from formal certification
 • How traineeships work
 • And what technicians can expect once NZ’s training pathway fully rolls out

Shane brings the on-the-ground perspective from Auckland—wondering how many long-time techs will take up the qualification once it’s widely available, and how many employers will start funding their staff to do it.

The discussion expands into the broader issue of professional respect. Pool technicians handle dangerous chemicals, electricity, hydraulics, and water safety every day. With those responsibilities should come recognition, standardized training, and a path toward a protected, respected trade.

Lee also pulls back the curtain on how IRLearning—the training division of SPASA—operates, including:
 • What assessments look like
 • How RPL interviews work
 • What evidence students need
 • Typical timeframes
 • Why students often overthink the process
 • How seasonal downtime becomes “assignment season” for techs

The episode wraps with guidance for anyone interested in pursuing certification, traineeships, or qualifications to elevate their career.

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