Certification

Pooleh Industry Trade Certification Program

Become a qualified Aquatic Recreation Industry SPECIALIST (Level One – Fundamentals) or an EXPERT (Level Two – Advanced) through Pooleh’s certification program.

SPECIALIST (Level One – Fundamentals)

To earn the SPECIALIST certification, you must successfully complete 4 core courses and 3 elective courses.

EXPERT (Level Two – Advanced)

To achieve the EXPERT designation, you need to complete the SPECIALIST level first, then complete 4 additional core courses and 6 elective courses (i.e., 3 more electives beyond the Specialist level).

Note: Certain courses from affiliated organizations are recognized as electives. Please contact Pooleh’s national office for more details.

Time Limits:

  • SPECIALIST Program: Must be completed within 5 years.
  • EXPERT Program: Must be completed within 5 years.
    Note: For companies servicing specific regions like the City of Toronto, the Water Discharge Management course must be renewed every 3 years to maintain accreditation.

Eligibility Requirements:

To qualify for certification, the student must be employed by a company that carries general liability insurance and is covered under the provincial workers’ compensation program.

Previous Credits:

Those who have previously completed Pooleh’s ASPECT or Apprenticeship courses will be granted 4 elective credits toward this program. However, all core courses must still be completed to qualify under the new certification structure.

Course Delivery:

Courses are provided by Pooleh either in a class environment or via computer-based training on our website: www.pooleh.ca.

Re-certification:

Re-certification is required every 5 years, involving 1 core course and 3 elective courses.


Program Outline & Course Listings

SPECIALIST (Level 1 – Fundamentals)

To achieve SPECIALIST certification, you must successfully complete the following core courses:

  1. Pool Installation 101
  2. Water Chemistry 101
  3. Pool Operation 101
  4. Hydraulics 101

Additionally, choose 3 electives from the following list:

  • Hot Tub/Spa Service and Maintenance
  • Pool/Spa Handover – Orientation for the New Owner
  • Water Discharge Best Management Practices
  • Hot Water Chemistry
  • Automation – Basic Operation and Programming
  • Spa Pack & Pump Troubleshooting
  • Tips, Techniques & Tricks of the Trade
  • Marketing and Merchandising for the Modern Pool and Spa Retailer
  • Certified Pool Operator® Course – National Swimming Pool Foundation offering endorsed by Pooleh
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) – From a provincially authorized provider
  • Pooleh Chapter course approved by the Education Committee
  • APSP Certification Course
  • FPSIE Training Programs

EXPERT (Level 2 – Advanced)

To achieve EXPERT certification, you must complete the following core courses in addition to the SPECIALIST level:

  1. Pool Installation 201
  2. Water Chemistry 201
  3. Hydraulics 201
  4. Pool & Spa Business Concepts

Then, choose 6 electives from the following:

  • Hot Tub/Spa Service and Maintenance
  • Pool/Spa Handover – Orientation for the New Owner
  • Water Discharge Best Management Practices
  • Hot Water Chemistry
  • Automation – Basic Operation and Programming
  • Spa Pack & Pump Troubleshooting
  • Tips, Techniques & Tricks of the Trade
  • Marketing and Merchandising for the Modern Pool and Spa Retailer
  • Certified Pool Operator® Course – National Swimming Pool Foundation offering endorsed by Pooleh
  • Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) – From a provincially authorized provider
  • Pooleh Chapter course approved by the Education Committee
  • APSP Certification Course
  • FPSIE Training Programs

For more information or to start your certification journey, contact Pooleh today!

 

Pool & Hot Tub Online Courses

Click any course below to download. You will be prompted to send a payment request via E-Transfer ($100 + HST).

Water Chemistry 101

Basics of swimming pool water balance, water maintenance, sanitizing, pH, alkalinity, calcium hardness, algae control, and saltwater pools.

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Water Chemistry 201

Build problem-solving skills for pool environments and advanced water chemistry scenarios.

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Water Chemistry 301

Advanced water chemistry techniques for algae removal, cloudy water, and metals management.

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Hydraulics 101

Basics of water circulation, pump sizing, filtration optimization, turnover rates, and pipe diameters.

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Hydraulics 201

Advanced pump selection, filter sizing, layout best practices, plumbing, and pressure testing.

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Hydraulics 301

Advanced hydraulic design for pools and spas, variable speed pump issues, water feature balance, gutter and surge tank design.

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Pool Inspection 101

Learn what to check during inspections, including equipment and structure, and communicate results to owners.

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Pool Inspection 201

Detailed inspection for residential pools, recognize equipment issues, and communicate findings effectively.

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Automation Basics

Learn operation and basic programming for common pool automation systems.

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Marketing & Merchandising

Techniques for retail professionals: product positioning, signage, advertising, online presence, and handling reviews.

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Spa Pack & Pump Troubleshooting

Maintain spa packs, identify pump problems, and correct issues efficiently.

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Pool Installation 101

Intro to inground pool construction, fundamentals from contract prep to project completion.

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Pool Installation 201

Advanced construction techniques and train-the-trainer guidance for experienced staff.

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Water Discharge

Proper operation, maintenance, and seasonal closure of pools, spas, and hot tubs, following local regulations.

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Tips, Techniques & Tricks

Learn shortcuts and efficiency tips from experts in pool construction, maintenance, and servicing.

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Business Concepts

Supervisory & management topics: logistics, HR, communication, inventory, client complaints, and efficiency.

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Pool Operation 101

Basics of pool maintenance, opening/closing procedures, troubleshooting, and leak detection.

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Pool/Spa Handover

Provide owners with operation info, documentation, and water safety tips to ensure a smooth handover.

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Hot Water Chemistry

Sanitize spa water over 37°C, maintain pH, total alkalinity, and hardness in proper equilibrium.

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