Outdoor and Adventure Education (Level 4)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 4 |
|---|
About the course
Outdoor and Adventure Education (Level 4)
If you love being in the outdoors and want to turn your passion into a career, TPP’s outdoor education programmes will help get you started.
Whether you’re a keen beginner with general outdoor experience or already have considerable technical experience under your belt, the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Adventure Education will increase your skills and challenge you. Our low student to tutor ratios mean we can help you progress at your level, pushing you further for more challenge or breaking it down if it’s all new to you.
You’ll learn how to handle yourself in the outdoors and work toward becoming an outdoor instructor. To augment the practical subjects and round out your skill set we’ll spend some time studying risk assessment and management, meteorology, environmental science, communication skills, tikanga Maori, leadership and facilitation, outdoor first aid, pursuit theory, trip planning, exercise science, work and study skills.
Graduate Profile
Graduates of the New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor Adventure Education are capable of moving into the tourism or education sectors in a variety of entry level roles. Examples of such roles include adventure and ecotourism guiding, education outside the classroom, community health and recreation programming and youth development programmes. There is a global market for this skill-set and graduates of this programme are well placed to take advantage of this.
These skills enable graduates to be self-sufficient technically in a range of outdoor settings. The level is equivalent with that of a trainee instructor or guide in adventure tourism or outdoor education settings where the clients are beginners or closely supervised with established safety systems in place. These graduates would be working with experienced practitioners under direct supervision.
Graduates will have the skills and knowledge to facilitate low risk outdoor experiences for clients or students within a range of outdoor settings. Knowledge of physical health, education and a specialist First Aid qualification adds to their ability to observe and manage client/student safety.
Basic facilitation and presentation skills will enable graduates to manage a non-complex client or student experience in line with the expected outcomes of the organisation they are representing.
Education pathway
This qualification provides a pathway to the New Zealand Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) (Level 5) [Ref: 3766].
Entry Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Have successfully completed NCEA level 1 (or equivalent) and attained 42 NCEA credits at level 3.
- Be able to demonstrate suitable physical capability as outlined in the enrolment questionnaire and have a high likelihood of success in this programme.
- Applicants must hold a current First Aid Certificate which includes unit standards 6400, 6401, 6402 or equivalent, which has been completed within the previous 6 months of application.
- Applicants must successfully meet the safety check requirements of the Vulnerable Children’s Act 2014 (conditional acceptance may be granted while this process is completed).
- Have their application reviewed by TPP staff.
- Have evidence of appropriate language competency if English is not the applicant’s first language of IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent) with no band below 5.0.
Special Notes:
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Special entry may be recommended by the programme leader for applicants who do not meet the above criteria.
This is a Safety Sensitive Programme
Safety Sensitive Programme
As a tertiary institution training students who will be working in safety conscious industries, TTai Poutini Polytechnic a business division of Te Pūkenga has the obligation to ensure it meets the same safety standards as those expected within industry and New Zealand workplaces.
This programme is considered safety sensitive in that it involves the use of heavy machinery and equipment or circumstances which require focus and concentration which will be compromised by the use of drug and/or alcohol consumption. In order to ensure the safety of other students, staff and the public, Tai Poutini Polytechnic has adopted a policy of drug and alcohol testing for students in safety sensitive programmes. For more information, click here. You may also contact our Student Support Services team on 0800 877 787 if you have questions or need further assistance.
About the provider
Tai Poutini Polytechnic (TPP), based on New Zealand’s spectacular West Coast and with campuses in Wanaka, Christchurch and Auckland, offers students exciting opportunities to get a head start in their career or take the next step on their learning journey.
TPP offers popular study options that meet local employment needs and are tailored to help people get into real jobs in the community or get ahead in their chosen career. With two West Coast campuses, in addition to other New Zealand locations, TPP makes the most of the opportunities on its doorstep.
The institute’s popular Outdoor Education programmes teach technical, leadership and teamwork skills on West Coast rivers and mountains along with a Ski Patrol programme based in Wanaka that makes the most of the South Island’s world-famous ski fields. A base on the West Coast also allows Jade and Hard Stone Carving students to get right to the cultural and historic source of their material. Likewise, Civil Plant students prepare for jobs in the roading, forestry and mining industries on purpose-built work sites in Greymouth and Auckland, while agriculture students have the use of the TPP Reefton farm.
These are just some of TPP’s many popular full-time, part-time or short programmes, which include business, trainee chef, tourism and hospitality, carpentry, automotive and engineering. All programmes are focused on industry expectations and tutors enjoy strong relationships with local businesses so learning is relevant and useful to the market. The institute’s aim is to get students into real jobs in the community and help create better futures for everyone.
West Coast students also have the option of living in TPP’s own student accommodation facilities. A home away from home while you’re studying. Tai Poutini Village offers 58 individual rooms and shared facilities for students. Village staff provide you with a living environment which encourages and supports the educational mission of the Polytechnic, supporting students in their chosen programme of study, and helping them to develop personally, socially and culturally.
Our reputation for the quality of graduates is outstanding.