National Certificate in Snowsport (Snowschool) (Level 5) with optional strands in Children's Instruction, and Pipe and Park Instruction

This qualification is designed for people working at snowsport areas as experienced ski or snowboard instructors or coaches. It has also been designed to complement internationally recognised Snowsport Instruction qualifications, such as those developed by the New Zealand Snowsport Instructors Alliance (NZSIA), by providing recognition for the essential skills and competencies required by employers at New Zealand snowsport areas.

The qualification contains a core compulsory section that provides recognition for advanced snowsport instruction and basic avalanche awareness skills. Core Elective 1 provides for advanced free skiing or snowboarding ability and Core Elective 2 builds upon other essential skills required of ski or snowboard instructors or coaches.

The Children''s Instruction optional strand recognises the specialised skills required to safely and effectively instruct a group of children of different ages to ski or snowboard. The Pipe and Park Instruction optional strand recognises the ability to instruct pipe and park terrain skills.

This qualification shares some common unit standards and builds on from the National Certificate in Snowsport (Snowschool) (Level 3) [Ref:0898] and can lead towards the Snowschool strand of 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]; and other Sfrito qualifications such as National Certificates in Community Recreation, Fitness, or Sport.

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