Newfoundland youth “forever grateful” for aquatics job opportunity

Ever since she was four years-old, Emilie Turgeon loved being in the water - and always worked at improving her swimming skills and learning new techniques. 

That’s why when the youth moved from Quebec to Newfoundland in March 2024, she looked at getting a part time job in aquatics to meet people who shared her interest. 

It turns out, her new job as a lifeguard and swim instructor at the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador gave her more than social connections in her community: it also taught her crucial job skills, such as communication and how to stay calm under stressful situations, that she says will benefit her as she looks ahead to her future career. 

“This job taught me so many things that I wouldn’t have had if I never had applied. I am forever grateful,” says Turgeon. 

The Newfoundland youth was one of four other participants who had the opportunity to earn their certifications and work as lifeguards and swim instructors at the YMCA Newfoundland and Labrador – which was made possible thanks to funding from the CPRA’s National Swimming Recovery Program (NSSRP), funded in part by the Government of Canada. 

Under the program, two youth trained and achieved their Bronze Cross, and were able to gain employment as assistant lifeguards and instructors. Two other participants, including Turgeon, trained and achieved their Bronze Medallion, Bronze Cross, and National Lifeguard. After their training, all four participants were hired to work at the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador in Marystown, Newfoundland. 

Turgeon says that both the training and the job experience equipped her with important job skills. For instance, she says both of these opportunities taught her the importance of remaining calm and knowing when to take action. 

“This helped me feel more comfortable and confident,” she says, adding that the job also strengthened her communication skills. “Making sure everybody is on the same page, especially if you are assessing a situation, is a big point that I learned over the course of this opportunity.” 

Turgeon adds that working as a lifeguard and swim instructor gave her a strong sense of responsibility – which helped her learn what it takes to be a leader. 

“From my perspective, my role as a lifeguard/swim instructor is to ensure that everyone is safe while creating a respectful and inclusive environment for everyone,” she says. 

These skills will be necessary as she embarks on her future career, she says – either as a pediatrician, or a biomedical engineer.  

“Being a lifeguard will help me reach my goals because I already have a solid base of knowledge on first aid. I am able to assess situations and think quickly in sometimes stressful situations, which is essential - especially for a doctor,” Turgeon says. “Being a swim instructor is also a big help for the future. I get to gain experience with working with kids, which is good for a pediatrician.” 

Deidre Ryan, aquatics team lead at the YMCA of Newfoundland and Labrador, says that the program helped remove training barriers for youth, but it also helped boost water safety within the community – allowing the YMCA to offer more swimming lessons, and keep its pool open for extra hours. 

She adds that all four participants have been wonderful additions to the YMCA’s aquatics staff. 

“The youth that have trained under this program are an integral part of our aquatics family at the YMCA,” Ryan says. “They have shown positivity and leadership both in their training and in their work.”