Published 20 March 2014

IQL UK, the trading subsidiary of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), has awarded the newly opened London Aquatics Centre, Approved Training Centre (ATC) status, which means it can now train lifeguards in the industry’s top qualification.

The 2012 Olympic venue, operated by charitable social enterprise GLL, is now part of IQL UK’s quality assurance assessment programme, which is designed to provide high standards in training delivery and competent course assessments in lifeguarding.

The venue houses two 50m pools plus a 25m diving pool and, prior to the official public opening last week, it was externally verified and approved by IQL UK to conduct RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ) 8th Edition courses and relevant in-service training.

As a registered ATC, the London Aquatics Centre will be supported through regular site visits from RLSS UK Customer Engagement Managers and receive free access to the Ongoing and Training Competency online software, providing a comprehensive tool for managing pool lifeguard training.

The venue will keep its own staff fully trained in the NPLQ and will also earn revenue through the delivery of the RLSS UK NPLQ to external candidates. IQL UK also offers its ATCs access to a range of consultancy services on all aspects of water safety, operational procedures and risk assessment.

Tara Dillon, Executive Director of IQL UK, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have such a prestigious and iconic venue as one of our ATCs and delighted that our partnership with GLL continues to go from strength-to-strength. The London Aquatics Centre boasts world-class facilities and by displaying the ATC plaque it demonstrates to internal and external customers that the centre is delivering the premier lifeguard course in the UK and Ireland.

“Our organisation awards in excess of 44,000 pool lifeguard qualifications each year and through our work with high quality partners such as London Aquatics Centre, we can continue to drive excellence within the aquatics community.”

Mark Sesnan, Managing Director at GLL, said: “We are delighted that the London Aquatics Centre has now been awarded ATC status. As a world class Olympic venue, it is imperative that GLL lifeguards receive the best available training and hold the highest qualifications. As part of IQL UK’s quality assurance assessment programme, we can be certain that our lifeguards are assessed rigorously and competently, and we are confident that the ATC status will provide the best lifeguarding service to our customers.”