Outdoor Instruction and Guiding (Level 5)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 5 |
|---|
About the course
Outdoor Instruction and Guiding (Level 5)
Take your outdoor skills to the next level with our NZ Diploma in Outdoor Adventure Education – and learn how to share your knowledge with others.
If you’re passionate about the outdoors, what better way to earn a living than sharing your love for the outdoors with others. You will work with a wide variety of real clients in organised, supervised, instruction and guiding opportunities, receiving regular feedback and mentoring to improve your practice and prepare you for leading others out in the industry.
The nationally recognised New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association (NZOIA) Leader qualifications are embedded into our programmes. They give you a kick start in the adventure industry and connect you with the wider instruction and guiding community.
Generally, you will need to have completed our Certificate programme to gain entry into the Diploma, however if you think you have the pre-requisite skills for direct entry, give us a call and we can discuss your options.
Graduate Profile
Graduates of the New Zealand Diploma in Outdoor Adventure Education are capable of leading groups and managing clients or students safely in a range of outdoor settings in the education or tourism sectors.
The personal technical skill-set of graduates will be equivalent to that required by professional level qualifications (NZOIA, SKOANZ, NZRA) so graduates are capable of operating in moderate-to-high risk outdoor settings. This recognises a fundamental principle in outdoor leadership: that an instructor or guide must be able to operate safely and effectively in risk settings which are higher than those in which they may be expected to manage client safety.
Graduates will specialise in technical pursuit instruction, education or tourism experience management.
Knowledge and skills in safety management and group leadership will allow graduates to make proactive decisions in the field. This creates the potential to guide and instruct clients, unsupervised, in a variety of outdoor settings of low to moderate risk.
Group facilitation, presentation and teaching skills will allow graduates to effectively deliver the desired outcomes of the organisation they represent. These could include technical skill delivery and instruction, human development, environmental and health education and tourism experiences.
Knowledge of Aotearoa New Zealand’s special flora and fauna, its geophysical and socio-cultural make-up, along with contemporary studies of global and local environmental issues allow graduates to “tell the story” of New Zealand while enlightening and entertaining their clients or students.
Education pathways
This qualification may provide a pathway to the:
- NZ Certificate in Outdoor Senior Leadership (Level 6) with strands Alpine, Bush, Caving, Education Outside The Classroom, Senior Raft Guide (Grade III) or Senior Raft Guide (Grade IV/V)
- Bachelor of Sustainability and Outdoor Education
- NZ Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management and Rock Climbing
Entry Criteria
Applicants must:
- Have successfully completed NCEA level 2 (or equivalent) and attained 42 NCEA credits at level 3.
- Have completed a full year Outdoor Education programme at Level 4 or provide evidence of equivalent prior outdoor and academic experience.
- Must hold a current (completed within the previous 18 months before application) First Aid Certificate which includes unit standards 6400, 6401, 6402 or equivalent.
- Be able to demonstrate suitable physical capability as outlined in the enrolment questionnaire and have a high likelihood of success in this programme.
- 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.
- 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).
Special Notes:
- Special entry may be recommended by the programme manager for applicants who do not meet the above criteria
Entry requirements:
- New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-Skilled) (Level 4) [Ref: 3765] or equivalent.
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.