The National Swimming Pool Foundation's program will now be the standard for pool operators at YMCA facilities across the nation.
Instead of the organization's Pool Operator on Location training program, the recently signed an agreement means pool operators of the YMCA of the USA will go through the Certified Pool Operator Certification training program. The Y is phasing out its POOL training program.
“Adopting the CPO Certification Program makes sense,” said Cindy McDermott, national director of membership. “It facilitates our compliance with the national standard of care outlined in the Model Aquatic Health Code issued by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.”
The collaboration also will provide the YMCA access to a range of educational opportunities, McDermott added, such as online training, Spanish materials and facility management courses.
Already, YMCA instructors from four regions are enrolled to become NSPF-authorized instructors and will attend training at the World Aquatic Health Conference this October.
“It’s a chance for us to do what we do best and help provide them the training their facilities need to keep the pool safer, keep them open and allow them to focus on their mission on helping families and people live healthier lives,” said Thomas M. Lachocki, Ph.D, CEO of the NSPF.
Some YMCA locations already do CPO Certification training, and NSPF anticipates the training delivered to the YMCA pool operators will be blended (online and in-person) and onsite, depending on local facilities’ needs.
“Clearly this agreement shows mutual trust and commitment to excellence between the organizations,” Lachocki said.
The CPO certification program has trained more than 400,000 people in 93 countries. Locations for the training are available at nspf.org.
