The City of Toronto offers many leadership and certification programs in First Aid, Aquatics, Sports and Camps.
These programs will prepare candidates for both leadership and employment opportunities. For information on how to get hired, visit How to Get Hired in Recreation.
Made to Play offers sports opportunities for women and girls.
The Toronto Sports Leadership Program (TSLP) is now called Building Skills through Recreation: Pathway to Youth Employment.
Youth will gain the resources they need to make positive life choices, gain the confidence and skills needed to obtain employment and become leaders in their communities.
Take a certification course and/or job preparedness workshop to learn how to provide recreational opportunities in:
For more information on Building Skills through Recreation: Pathway to Youth Employment, call 416-843-1079.
All Recreation job opportunities with the City of Toronto require current First Aid and Principles of Healthy Child Development (PHCD) certifications.
These certifications are open to all candidates interested in gaining knowledge of first aid. A candidate’s level of interest or employment requirement will determine which first aid certification should be taken.
Emergency First Aid includes CPR-B and is the minimum first aid certification requirement for most employment. This certification is for those who want a general knowledge of:
Find out How to Register for Recreation Programs.
Standard First Aid includes CPR-C and provides an in-depth understanding of:
This program is offered through the Lifesaving Society and is recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Labour or the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. For a list of approved first aid providers, visit the Lifesaving Society.
| Certification | Length of time from certification date before expiry | Recertification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ | Three years | If the previous certification method was the full course, within three years take the recertification course.
If the previous certification method was the recertification course, after three years take the full course. |
For additional registration or course information, go to the Aquatic Certifications section further on this page.
HIGH FIVE® provides certifications in quality and safety standards for children’s recreation and sports programs.
PHCD certification is required for employment in City of Toronto Recreation Jobs. PHCD information will be provided to candidates during the hiring process, including course dates and details.
Email QAtrain@toronto.ca for more information.
Aquatics offers two streams of certifications. To become a leader in Aquatic Fitness programs, visit Aquatic Fitness Certifications.
To learn about Bronze level programs or to become a wading pool attendant, lifeguard or swim instructor, visit Aquatic Leadership.
It is the responsibility of candidates to make sure they have the correct prerequisites for the course and bring them on the first day.
National Lifeguard candidates must also submit a photocopy of Standard First Aid certification if the certification is from an approved agency other than the Lifesaving Society in addition to showing the original.
Candidates must hold a certification recognized by the Ontario Health Regulations in order to lifeguard in Ontario. Apply to the Lifesaving Society for your international certification exemptions. Call 416-490-8844 for information. For a list of approved first aid providers, visit the Lifesaving Society.
Candidates must be of the required age by the last scheduled day of the course. Proof of age will be required for all courses with an age prerequisite.
Fees include registration, examination, literature and HST for all aquatic leadership/fitness courses.
Exceptions (may have extra fees):
Find information on how to transfer or withdraw from programs.
A full refund or credit will be provided if the City cancels the program. Courses with low registration may be cancelled.
100 per cent attendance and active participation are required for all courses and workshops. Late participants will not be admitted.
For all aquatic leadership/fitness courses, bring:
For in-water courses, bring:
A whistle may be required for some programs.
Course materials and schedules will be discussed on the first day.
Candidates should bring water/drinks and lunch/dinner/snacks where appropriate.
Advanced leadership courses may require the candidate to complete a pre-course assignment or provide proof of instructional/lifeguarding experience before the course begins.
Consult the individual course descriptions to determine what is required. Where a pre-course assignment is required, registration will close two weeks in advance of the start date to allow for the completion of the assignment.
Aquatic qualifications must be recertified in order to remain current. Review the following chart for recertification timelines.
| Certification | Length of time from certification date before expiry | Recertification Method |
|---|---|---|
| Pool Attendant | Two years | Full Course |
| Bronze Cross | Two years | Recertification Course |
| National Lifeguard | Two years | Recertification Course |
| National Lifeguard – Waterfront | Two years | Recertification Course |
| Swim, Lifesaving and Emergency First Aid Instructor | Two years | Submission of credits to the Lifesaving Society |
| Standard First Aid and CPR ‘C’ | Three years | If the previous certification method was the full course, within three years take the recertification course.
If the previous certification method was the recertification course, after three years take the full course. |
| Aquatic Fitness Instructor | Two years | Recertification Course |
CAN-BIKE is the only accredited program that teaches courses on cycling and riding safety. Courses are taught exclusively by certified CAN-BIKE instructors.
Instructors are knowledgeable about the Highway Traffic Act and teach cycling skills such as anticipating traffic dynamics, recognizing road hazards and collision-avoidance techniques.
This course is open to anyone 13 years and older wishing to become a ski/snowboard instructor or race coach who is a strong intermediate skier (successfully completed Ski 6 and up) or snowboarder (successfully completed Snowboard 5 or Adult Snowboard 3 and up). This course is intended to provide the registrants with the necessary background to pass the CSIA/CASI level one exam.
Program components are:
After successful completion of this course, you may qualify to work at the Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre as an Assistant Instructor (based on interview).
Counsellor in Training will introduce participants, ages 13 to 16 years, to the fundamentals of being a City of Toronto Camp Counsellor.
Participants will learn:
To successfully complete the Counsellor in Training program, participants will be required to complete a supervised practical placement in a City of Toronto camp.
For those interested in getting involved in City of Toronto Recreation programs or special events, visit Community Recreation Volunteer Opportunities.
For Certification Programs, the City of Toronto must share the personal information of each registrant, including name, telephone number and email, with the organization responsible for delivering the courses and workshops, for the purposes of enrollment and certification.