First Australian trainees commence swimming pool building pathway

Patrick Lemcke and Marcus Deane have become the first trainees in Australia to start on the pathway to a CPC40820 Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building.

Both are working with Queensland-based Serenity Pools, and were both on hand under the supervision of site supervisor Luke Dehey when IRLearning’s executive manager Rachael Bambry and assessor Anita Zaplin recently visited a Serenity Pools’ construction site.

Bambry says the milestone represents a significant step forward for the local swimming pool and spa industry, creating a genuine career pathway for future pool builders through nationally recognised training.

Lemcke joined Serenity Pools six months ago after originally following in his father’s footsteps in concreting. Like many in the industry, he says that while he “sort of fell into pool building,” he quickly discovered a genuine passion for the work.

Since starting with Serenity Pools, Lemcke has been exposed to a broad range of practical construction activities and is developing skills across the full pool building process.

“I really enjoy the role,” he says. “It gives me purpose.”

Fellow trainee Deane started with Serenity Pools as a general labourer before progressing into pool construction. He says the variety within the industry is what motivated him to pursue pool building as a long-term career.

“What I enjoy most is learning all the different components involved,” he says. “From estimating and site preparation through to excavation, steel fixing, formwork, trenching, pipework, concreting and final handover – there’s always something different to learn.”

Dehey says the team was thrilled to learn Lemcke and Deane are officially the first trainees in Australia enrolled into the CPC40820 Certificate IV in Swimming Pool and Spa Building traineeship pathway.

“This is a huge achievement not just for Serenity Pools, but for the industry as a whole,” he says. “For a long time, there hasn’t really been a clear nationally recognised pathway for pool builders, so to see these guys leading the way is something we’re really proud of.”

Dehey also spoke about the value formal training brings to businesses and to the broader industry, helping to raise standards, strengthen professionalism and support the next generation entering the trade.

“The introduction of the traineeship pathway marks a major milestone for the swimming pool and spa industry, providing structured training and recognition for the highly specialised skills involved in pool and spa construction,” says Bambry.

“As the first trainees undertaking the qualification in this format nationally, Patrick and Marcus are helping pave the way for future pool builders across Australia.”

IMAGE: Rachel Bambry, Luke Dehey, Marcus Deane and Patrick Lemcke. (Supplied, IRLearning)