New guiding qualification

[Peet Hendriks]

The new generic guiding qualification (attached) is up for public comment (until 6th July 2009).
The CORE and FUNDAMENTALS of this qualification will be the standards for all types of guides (marine, cano, culture, nature, etc) . The elective unit standard "Lead a 4x4 experience" is removed and will be replaced by our new recommendations. A workshop will be held to finalize this (as well as a learning programme for the different jobtitles) and 4x4 guides will be invited.

Regards
Peet

[Alan Goodway]

Mooi man, so hoe en waar gaan dit gebeur -  workshop will be held to finalize this (as well as a learning programme for the different jobtitles) and 4x4 guides will be invited.
Gaan dit binne die raamwerk van die 4WDGA gebeur, en net vir opbetaalde lede, of vir die hele mark?

[Erika Herselman WC4717]

Dankie Peet

Ek sou dink die komitees (streke ) asook betaalde gidse moet uitgenooi word.
En op die fokusgroep van Peet is daar reeds 4 lede.

Erika

[Johan Steenberg (Stene)]

Hi Peet, sal jy vir ons kan uitvind aan watter "Unit Standard Title's" ons gaan moet voor kwalifiseer om as 4x4 Toergids te kan optree?

[Chris McD]

Peet I cant open the attachment, would you please mail it to me or repost it in another format. I see there are only 5 downloads of which 3 are mine so I am assuming that others cant access this very important document either

[Chris McD]

One of the many interesting and contentious issues discussed at our unit standards meeting last night was whether it was necessary and beneficial that an off road guide had to be competent in cross border documentation and formalities.
Please give your thoughts on the matter as there were views that it is unnessary as our qualification has no validity outside our borders and currently we are only accrediting for SA.
Then there was the point that possibly in the very near future a SADEK qualification could exist and then we already are on the right track. Also that in many cases South Africa is a throughput for Tourists visiting other countries and our guides must have the knowledge to get them there.

2 Definite divides on the principle
1/ keeping the requirements to the bare minimum so that it is easier and quicker to obtain.
2/ To cater not only for the immediate need but to give the qualification a preparedness element which makes future reassessment and qualification unnessasary.

Whats your view.

[johans]

I do not believe that our guides should be trained on border procedures and that the time and effort taken up by this training should rather be spent on something more usefull.

My reasoning is that, at present, it is illegal for us to operate in our neighbouring countries. If a guide wants to undertake any venture that he/she was not particularly trained for, it is his responsibility/duty to familiarise him/herself with what is required.

If matters change in the future, and we are legally allowed to guide in our neighbouring countries, this could become a module in Continious Professional Development training.

Johan

[Chris McD]

What about guides that are currently operating from South Africa into Lesotho and Swaziland? There are quite a few postings on this forum specifically about these areas and they are great places for new guides to establish a footing for themselves as add ons to a South African visit. Why create a rift?

Footnote:
Is there anyone who is interested in becoming an accredited guide for Swaziland? If there are enough people we have an opportunity to run a course under very favourable conditions.

Chris McD.

[Tinus Botha GP2931]

One of the many interesting and contentious issues discussed at our unit standards meeting last night was whether it was necessary and beneficial that an off road guide had to be competent in cross border documentation and formalities.

Border crossings is the only part of  being a guide that I don't enjoy!

Understanding how border/ customs posts work made my grief much more bearable.

It also helps the guide to present a much better service to his tourists if he can cross borders with the least effort.

So by presenting trainee guides with a general knowledge of how border/customs operate and what the basic requirements are essential, but to do a elaborate unit standard such as the one to become a official is unnecessary in my view.

[Chris McD]

Point 1;
We first have to establish the purpose and scope of a guiding niche.
We then have to identify the skills and knowledge that a guide would need to properly and safely service his niche. It is quite clear already from this short dialogue that he will, as a national guide who has the potential and scope to cross over into another country, need to be competent in cross border formalities.
The fact that it adds to the Unit Standard load and is uncomfortable to implement is valid, but is not relevant as it is an output that the National guide must possess to be able to service his customer properly right up to the exit from our country. The border post is still part of South Africa.

Point 2;
It is within our means to put steps in place to the advantage of the guide now, and in many instances the same people who are advocating less is better are happy to include elements which are not proven to be totally necessary, such as the use of a GPS.

Even in the Masazane course it stipulates quite clearly that a guide should always do a recce trip and be conversant with the area and attractions before taking tourists there. A guide is supposed to be an expert on the area that he takes people to and especially if he is only working within the borders of South Africa and accredited for a specific region then surely he must at very least know his way around if not being a subject matter expert on the area. Why would he then need to use a GPS and have a whole involved Navigation Unit Standard?
Or is it preparedness for if and when he ventures into greater and cross border areas where he could need to use ultra modern navigation techniques and equipment? The decisions taken on content must be constant and quantifiable.

Point 3:
Forward planning is necessary, because in the fast changing world of tourism, by the time the qualification is accredited, then it could already be outdated if it was not designed taking needs that are more than immediate into account.
The issue of including border formalities is a prime example. If you do not take matters under consultation and establish the broader picture then you will always make the wrong decision or one that is not in the best medium to longer term interest.

By the time the unit standards are in place then either we will have a SADEK tourism guiding agreement or alternatively we will be a long way into the final negotiations. This will mean that a border crossing will then most definitely be part of the responsibilities of a National guide. If it is not then I would assume that he is not competent yet to become a SADEK guide.
The people who are at the negotiating table for a SADEK agreement must be consulted. Decisions like this can not be made in isolation and on assumption. It would also be in the best interests of the guide that there is input from the Unit Standard perspective into a SADEK agreement.
The bigger picture must always be clear before the activities that are needed to make up the larger outputs are put in place.