National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Leadership) with strands in Abseiling, Bush-Walking, Kayaking, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, and Sea Kayaking

This National Certificate recognises the minimum skill set required to independently lead groups in a specified outdoor activity. It is the entry-level qualification for people leading, or intending to lead, outdoor recreation activities for people at an introductory or beginner level, where the emphasis is on participation in low-technical, low-risk environments rather than developing skills. People who hold this qualification are expected to operate within an organisation's safety management system.

The Core Compulsory section of the qualification covers the knowledge and skills related to assessing and managing an emergency care situation, knowledge and application of leadership for outdoor recreation, concepts of basic risk management, gathering and applying weather information, and first aid.

People must also complete one of the six strands included in the qualification which focus on more specialised skills for various outdoor recreation activities.

The Abseiling Strand covers the knowledge and skills related to abseiling and leading an abseiling experience.

The Bush-Walking Strand covers the knowledge and skills related to bush-walking and leading a bush-walking experience.

The Kayaking Strand covers the knowledge and skills related to kayaking and leading a kayaking experience.

The Mountain Biking Strand covers the knowledge and skills related to mountain biking and leading a mountain biking experience.

The Rock Climbing Strand covers the knowledge and skills related to single-pitch top-rope rock climbing and leading a single-pitch top-rope rock climbing experience.

The Sea Kayaking Strand covers the skills and rescue procedures related to sea kayaking and guiding an adventure tourism experience.

This qualification provides the introductory skills and experience required to advance on to a variety of pursuit-based leadership and instruction qualifications in the workplace such as the National Certificate in Outdoor Recreation (Instruction) with strands in Adventure Based Learning, Kayaking, Mountaineering, Single Pitch Rock Climbing, and Tramping [Ref: 0733] and the National Diploma in Outdoor Recreation (Instruction) (Level 5) [Ref: 1191].

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