MPBAA's Industry Training Program provides the framework for competency within the pool and spa industry and supports an ongoing drive to improve knowledge, skills and safe practices.

MPBAA offers all those within the swimming pool and spa industry the opportunity to attend our unique and highly regarded training courses through our Industry Training Program.

The 2022 training courses are listed below. If you are a Restricted, Pool Shop or Pool Service Member, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to booking.

Invest in your business by educating and training your staff professionally through MPBAA's Industry Training Program

Pool Construction Essentials Training - Monday, 1 August 2022 8.30am - 4.30pm -
Domestic Builder Contract Training (For Restricted & Builder members only) -
Thursday, 4 August 2022 11.30am - 1pm -
Basic Chemistry Training – Tuesday 23 August 2022 9am - 4pm -
Advanced Chemistry Training - Thurs 25 and Friday 26 August 9am - 4pm -
Hydraulics Training - Thursday 15 and Friday 16 September 2022 9am - 4pm -

MPBAA has partnered with Masters in Building Training (MIBT) to offer a career pathway for industry participants through their Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building and Building Inspector (Pool Safety) training courses.

MIBT training offers complete learning flexibility through their online learning system so that students can learn anywhere at any time.

BOOK HERE to enrol in MIBT's CPC40808 – Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building.

BOOK HERE to enrol in MIBT's Victorian Swimming Pool and Spa Barrier Inspection training course VBAISP2020 Building Inspector (Pool Safety).

View the MIBT Recognition of Prior Learning Guide HERE

Knowledge Increases Profit and Productivity

Everyone associated with the swimming pool and spa industry – both members and non-members - are encouraged to participate in MPBAA's Industry Training Program.

All MPBAA training courses have been designed in consultation with leading industry experts
Courses are delivered by knowledgeable industry specialists with years of hands-on, practical experience
Training ensures that your employees can better navigate the ever-changing Government regulations and standards
Our courses are an affordable and valuable investment in your business

MPBAA training is recognised as an excellent investment in your business and is utilised by the most successful employers within the pool and spa industry. As an employer, the training of your staff is vital to the success of your business and will ensure that you and your staff remain up-to-date with current industry best practice.

Why should I attend training?

Installing a swimming pool or spa involves a number of specialised trades and techniques and it is essential that industry employees attend our training courses to ensure they receive the latest industry knowledge.

The maintenance of crystal clear, sparkling water in a swimming pool or spa cannot simply be attributed to good luck. The fundamental principles of water chemistry and hydraulics can be learnt in one course. Advanced topics are available for more experienced industry participants.

Who should attend MPBAA Training?

Everyone associated with the swimming pool and spa industry will benefit from attending MPBAA Training courses.

MPBAA training is highly recommended for pool builders, aspiring pool builders, landscapers, building surveyors, engineers, architects, pool plumbers, steel fixers, concrete sprayers, excavators, pool tilers, render applicators, service technicians, retail staff, industry suppliers, sales representatives and aquatic industry personnel.

MPBAA Domestic Builder Contract Training

MPBAA Hydraulics

Course includes:

a) Understanding Filtration & Circulation
b) Components of a Hydraulic System
c) Problem Solving in Relation to Pipe Work and Filtration Components
d) Filtration Filter Types and Comparison
I. Identifying Pump Components
II. Water Turnover & Its Relevance
e) Hydraulics
I. Terminology Used
II. Reading Basic Hydraulic Charts & Graphs
III. Basic Calculations for Sizing & Flow
IV. Problem Solving in the Circulation System

Learning Outcomes: Students will gain a greater technical working knowledge of:

• Pool/spa filtration systems
• The components that make up the pools/spa hydraulic system
• Problem solving techniques for mechanical and circulation issues

Students will also have a greater working knowledge of filtration and the components that make up the pool’s hydraulic system. This will benefit them when communicating options to customers, installing and problem solving of filtration & circulation issues.

There will be a written examination at the end of this course.

Presenter: Paul Jacobson

MPBAA Basic Chemistry

Course includes:

a) Knowing your customer
b) Chemical cleaners for filter media, salt cells and pool/spa surfaces
c) How to manage water balance and why
d) Chemical options to provide healthy, sparkling clear, algae free pool water

Learning Outcomes: Students will have:
• a greater understanding of pool water chemistry
• a questioning process that helps to identify their customer’s needs
• the ability to confidently communicate water chemistry options/solutions to their customers in simple terms

Presenter: Paul Jacobson

MPBAA Advanced Chemistry

Course includes:

a) Understanding the customer challenges in today’s environmental and climatic changes
b) What is the Saturation Index and how is it calculated?
c) A closer look at Sanitiser & Oxidiser options and how they work
d) Problem Solving: – Green Pools – Algae or Metal – Metal Staining – Chlorine Demand Issues – Cloudy Water
e) Testing Issues
f) Chemical Storage & Handling and Material Safety Data Sheets

Learning Outcomes: Students will have:
• A greater understanding of the types of pool chemicals available and how they perform
• A process to effectively identify and solve pool problems
• A general understanding of Chemical Storage & Handling
• A general understanding of Incident Procedures in the event of an accident

Presenter: Paul Jacobson

MPBAA Pool Construction Essentials

Course includes:

a) Contracts / Quoting / Handover
b) Permits / Inspection Schedule / Compliance to Regulations and Standards
c) Overview of the fibreglass pool industry including the manufacturing process, installation, advantages & disadvantages of fibreglass, maintenance and renovations
d) Occupational Health & Safety Obligations
e) Swimming Pool Engineering / Design, Concrete Steel Fixing, Plumbing and Spraying Considerations
f) Practitioner Q&A

Learning Outcomes: Students will have a better understanding of:

• The overall pool building environment, OH&S and compliance obligations
• The importance of design and engineering
• The importance of effective communication with all stakeholders particularly the pool owner during the contract signing, set out, installation, and the handover process

Presented by Select Industry Experts

Portable Spa Basic Training

Learn about the Spa Industry, its Customers, the Makeup of a Spa, Water Management and Product Requirements.

Course includes:

a) Knowing the Industry

b) Knowing the Customer

c) Knowing your Spa Product Options

d) Safety Considerations

e) Handover Process

f) Professional Support

g) Water Management System

This course is essential for all employees within the portable spa sector, including sales staff, management service and most importantly - spa technicians. Participants will learn about the key stakeholders in the spa industry, spa consumer requirements, essential buying criteria - and the chemicals, devices and processes that will ensure safe, comfortable and sparkling clear spa water.

From the exterior shell to water chemistry, we will give you all the information you need to ensure that your customers enjoy a pleasant and healthy spa lifestyle. The key to keeping your customers happy is having staff that are well equipped with the latest industry knowledge to make portable spa ownership fuss-free. Send your staff to our Portable Spa Basic Training course to ensure they understand the correct use of chemicals, devices and processes that make owning and maintaining a spa an enjoyable experience.

Students will come away with a better understanding of:

• The size and key stakeholders of the spa industry

• Spa consumers’ needs and buying criteria

• The major components and equipment used in today’s spa design and manufacturing process

• Safety requirements in accordance to OHS and Australian Standards

• Best methods for handing over the spa and ensuring the spa owner receives maximum value for investment

• Who to contact for continued support and development

• The chemicals, devices and processes that will deliver safe, comfortable, sparkling clear water and the way to effectively communicate this process to the spa owner

Presenter: Paul Jacobson

What Makes the Great Retailers Great

Have you ever wondered why some businesses flourish in a poor economy despite challenges from big corporates and internet online sales giants?

Well it’s not just luck. These businesses understand:

Sound business principles
What customers want and how they expect these services and products to be delivered
That customers are both internal and external and require a clear understanding of the goals and objectives of the business
Customer have choices and if your business doesn’t meet their service or shopping criteria or expectations - don’t be surprised if they go elsewhere
People make profits, not things, so they invest heavily in education and training to give their staff the opportunity to SHINE
They work on ways to continually improve on service levels and the shopping experience

So what type of business are you? If you are not sure - or you feel you may fall short – come and join us for a day and let us help you identify where you’re at and provide you with some insight into what you may need - or what you may need to change - to make your business GREAT!

Presenter: Paul Jacobson

HR Essentials

Is your business at risk of an unfair/unlawful dismissal claim? Are you aware of the requirements under the Fair Work Act if performance managing or dismissing an employee?

This session will demonstrate strategies to minimise your risk level, plus update you on the rise of ‘Stress Claims’, dubbed the new ‘Unfair Dismissal’. This session is not to be missed for any business owner.

Learn about:

The performance management process – both initial and formal steps
Explain what disciplinary action is and how to document it
Different types of termination; Performance, Serious Misconduct, Abandonment, Redundancy; and how to manage each
Small Business Dismissal Code
Unfair Dismissal and how to avoid a successful claim including documentation of the issue/s
The difference between Unfair Dismissal and Unlawful Termination and how to avoid it
Workplace Stress Claims – the new Unfair Dismissal

Presenter: Adam Clark - Myhronline

OH&S Materials Made Easy

Action OHS Consulting is SPASA Victoria’s one-stop shop for OHS.

Our dedicated Action OHS consultant will take you through your OHS responsibilities in easy to understand terms.

Over the course of the morning, essential OHS topics such as Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS), Health & Safety Co-ordination Plans and Risk Management will be discussed, as well as the recently updated and tailored suite of OHS materials available from the members Section of the SPASA Victoria website.

You will also have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss some of the common OHS issues that arise within the pool and spa industry.

Presented by Action OHS

Training must be paid for at the time of booking. Cancellations must be in writing. Any cancellations made within 14 days of course dates are non- refundable. MPBAA reserves the right to alter the training components and cancel and/or reschedule courses.

Parking
Participants must park in the nearby multi-level car park which is available for $8/day. Access is from the driveway off Ferntree Gully Road, alongside the Notting Hill Pub. Please park in an unmarked bay on Level 2 or 3. Cars parked in the wrong bays will be asked to move. Please note that there is a height restriction of 2.1m. Please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if your vehicle is higher than this.

What Others Are Saying

"On behalf of Chris and myself, thanks for the hydraulics course last week – well organised and great content. Paul does a fantastic job at making it interesting."

- Adrian Lewis, Business Development Manager at Bradford Products Australia

“SPASA Victoria Industry Training is important to the success of Naughtons Pools & Spas. I recently sent 15 employees to hydraulics training and I am satisfied that the tuition my staff received will be an excellent investment in my business in the long run.“

– Justin Hatfield, Registered Building Practitioner & Director of Naughtons Pools and Spas

“We highly recommend that anyone involved in the pool industry take advantage of the excellent industry training conducted by SPASA Victoria . The courses offered each year help to maintain and improve your knowledge and expertise. The training covers a range of subjects appropriate for both new-comers to the industry, as well as advanced topics for the more experienced participants. Furthermore, it is conducted by extremely skilled and capable instructors. Regardless of the number of years of your involvement in the industry, we guarantee that you will always benefit from attending these sessions… and your clients will notice.”

– Helen Strangos, Director of The Diamond Pool & Spa Company

For more information on MPBAA training contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.