National Certificate in Snowsport (Snow Safety) (Level 6)

This qualification recognises people working as snow safety officers with full responsibility for the snow safety programme in a mountain area.

People holding this qualification have demonstrated that they are competent to work in a supervisory capacity with skills to develop documentation for a snow safety programme and evaluate avalanche stability and hazards for a mountain area. This qualification is designed for people needing to make assessments of snow stability and avalanche hazard for a mountain operation, for example, in a snowsport area, mountain guiding, ski-mountaineering, roading or heliskiing operation.

The elective section allows people to select credits to either broaden their core skill base or specialise in a chosen area.

This qualification builds on the skills and knowledge gained in the National Certificate in Snowsport (Patrol) (Level 4) [Ref: 0443] and can lead to the National Certificate in Snowsport (Supervision) with strands in Lift Operation, Patrol Leader, Snowsport Equipment, Snowgrooming, Snowmaking, Snowschool, and Ticketing and Guest Services [Ref: 1219].

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