Workshop Plan

This workshop is being held to work out the procedures for operator-led training of river guides, leading to a separate Assessment by an accredited NQF Assessor.

The reason for the workshop is that training for KZN guides has proved to be expensive and cumbersome because the APA is far away. However, the African Paddling Association (APA) has expressed interest. We are also going to make sure that true professional river skills, not just paper qualifications, are obtained through the system. This means that the APA's inputs and that of other internationally recognised bodies will be taken into account. The APA has its own accredited Assessors, and there are independent Assessors too.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) is the official government system for the qualification and registration of tour guides. Read more about the skills development issues here. Graeme has been in touch with the tourism authority which administers the scheme, the Theta (Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Education Training Authority).

Note that guides and operators will need the Manual, which you must order in advance.

The workshop Programme is below. It is an intensive 4-day event, dawn to dusk and after dinner. There will be fun and excitement aplenty, with real skills learning and development as we go. There are also some good videos. You must print and sign the indemnity to bring it with you, and/or have it countersigned by a parent or guardian if you are under 18. Consult the kit list and bring your personal rescue and safety gear. We will go through the NQF unit standards - ie what has to be learnt - and also other skills that may not be in the unit standards but have to be added. This has been discussed with Theta already.

After Assessment comes Moderation by an accredited Moderator, and this is an issue to be addressed in the workshop. Theta has have expressed their support for the workshop exercise and are willing to run group training for Assessors and Moderators. This will be taken up with the Theta after our workshop. We know that other provinces such as Mpumalanga, Limpopo and Northern Cape also have problems.

Note that there will be no actual formal NQF assessment on the workshop itself. But on the last morning you will be personally reviewed and advised on what to learn or improve upon.

Graeme will be writing a report on the Workshop and circulating this to all stakeholders. The next step will be for operators to commence in-service training, and for arrangements to be made for Assessment and Moderation of candidates as soon as possible. The intention is that Assessors will come to you.

PROGRAMME

Your hosts are Mark and Linda Calverley. The workshop facilitator is Graeme Addison.

This programme may change depending on weather, water and progress!

NOTE!!! PLACE YOUR ORDER here for the Manual

Bring a notebook!

MONDAY NIGHT	8pm	Meet and greet	Supper
MONDAY NIGHT	9pm	On big screen if possible	River video (DVD)
TUESDAY BASICS	6am	Coffee and rusks. River exercise near camp & initial assessment	Do not be late! Come in wet gear.
	8.30am	BREAKFAST
	9.30am	Workshop outline and questions	Graeme Addison. Bring notebooks.
	11am	River exercise near camp	Boating skills. Own equipment or Zingela craft.
	1.30pm	LUNCH	No alcohol
	2pm-5pm	River exercise near camp	Boating and rescue skills.
	5-6pm	Day rap and review.	Come with prepared ideas and notes
	7.30pm	DINNER	Limited alcohol consumption please.
	9pm	NQF discussion, coffee.	All welcome. Important for Operators.
WEDNESDAY TRIP DAY	6am	Coffee & rusks. Walk/cycle for interpretative trail skills.	Do not be late! Demo your nature know-how.
	8.30am	BREAKFAST
	9.30am	Day trip from Zingela to Finger Rock.	All aspects of guiding, leadership, safety and rescue
	11am
	1.30pm
	2pm
	5-6pm
	7.30pm	DINNER
	9pm	Day rap and review	Led by A.N.Other
THURSDAY TRAIN THE TRAINERS	6am	Coffee & rusks. Interpretative trail hike or mountain bike. Operators in charge.	Do not be late! Operators to specify.
	8.30am	BREAKFAST
	9.30am	Discussion of training procedures	Principles
	11am	Operators carry out training exercises with guides	Techniques for training
	1.30pm	LUNCH
	2pm	Continued: Operators carry out training exercises with guides	Techniques for training
	5-6pm	Day rap and review	Come with notes
	7.30pm	DINNER
	9pm	Big screen videos	DVD
FRIDAY TRIAL ASSESSMENTS	6am	Coffee & rusks. Early course review.	Do not be late!
	8.30am	BREAKFAST
	9.30-11.30pm	Written test and commentaries from Operators. Discussion in work groups.	Co-ordinators to be appointed
	9.30-11.30am	Trial assessments on river at camp	Graeme Addison
	12.00pm	Review of assessments and operator training	Graeme and others
	12.30pm	Workshop review form completed	For final report
	1pm	LUNCH END OF WORKSHOP	Depart

MANUAL AND NOTES

THE BOOK: Bound photocopies of Graeme's complete book on Whitewater Rafting equipment and techniques plus additional notes will be made available for R95 a copy. This is the basic text to be used in preparing for Assessment. The book is now out of print but will be revised and, I hope, republished with the additional material but this is at least a year in the future. So this is an advance copy. It may not be distributed or recopied - it is covered by strict copyright.

PLEASE PLACE YOUR ORDER FOR THE MANUAL - EMAIL ME HOW MANY COPIES.

I MUST HAVE YOUR ORDER BY THURSDAY 29 NOVEMBER!

YOUR NOTES: During the course, especially during discussion sessions, keep notes. At the end of each day is a Day Rap and you are expected to make a contribution. At the rap, say what you have learnt or not learnt, how you will apply it, and what your concerns are for the Assessment.

DON'T FORGET TO PRINT AND SIGN THE INDEMNITY - BRING IT WITH YOU!

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