New Zealand Certificate in Assistant Outdoor Leadership (Level 3)

This qualification is for people working in outdoor recreation whose role includes assisting in leading groups undertaking activities in familiar, low-technical outdoor environments.

People who assist in leading groups in the outdoors are fun, positive and encouraging. Working under the supervision of senior staff, they contribute to the smooth running activities, and make sure all participants have a great time and stay safe.

This qualification is designed to be delivered on-the-job in the great outdoors.

Graduates will come out of this qualification ready to provide top notch assistance in leading groups in the outdoors.

What's involved? - This 40-credit qualification covers the following areas:

• Assisting with the planning, delivery and review of outdoor activities, within set parameters
• Assisting in identifying and managing hazards and risks relevant to participants, site and equipment for outdoor activities, in line with the Safety Management System of the organisation
• Operating under a framework of kaitiakitanga that includes respect for the tikanga and kawa of local iwi or hapu, sustainability and the environment, while assisting in leading an outdoor activity
• Communicating with individuals and groups to manage and meet their diverse needs while undertaking activities in familiar, low-technical outdoor environments.

This qualification is designed to be completed in 6-10 months.

Te Mahi Ako is a Private Training Enterprise (PTE) funded by the government to create world-class, nationally-recognised programmes linked to qualifications that staff can complete on the job. The benefit of on-the-job training is that you are earning an income, gaining a qualification, and getting real-life experience, all in one go. And because Te Mahi Ako’s programmes are government-subsidised, they are very affordable.

Te Mahi Ako works with a wide range of facilities throughout New Zealand, from small to large. Te Mahi Ako or the facility will provide learning resources and assessment tasks for the staff member, and supporting materials will help the workplace to deliver the training. In some cases, an organisation’s own in-house training programme will be aligned to a Te Mahi Ako programme, so staff members who complete the in-house training will simultaneously earn a national qualification. Te Mahi Ako also has a Recognition of Current Competency process, which means that you may be able to get your existing skills and experience recognised through a qualification.

To enrol in a Te Mahi Ako on-the-job qualification, you must be employed in the industry or be a volunteer. Make sure to check with the business that you’re working in, or would like to work in, to see if they are already registered with Te Mahi Ako.

For more information go to: www.temahiako.org.nz