Overview
Gain the skills and knowledge you need to be qualified in leading a variety of outdoor recreation activities in uncontrolled natural environments such as wild bushland, lakes, wild rivers, caves, mountains and alpine terrain. People with this qualification are able to manage expected and unexpected situations with considerable autonomy. Leadership and safety management skills are involved when organising activities, as well as being able to arrive at solutions for non-routine or contingency situations. Importantly you will come to appreciate and understand the risks involved in leading adventurous activities. You will learn how to manage those risks keeping your clients safe and your gear in good working order while minimising your impact to the natural environment. Core activities include bushwalking, canoeing, and abseiling. Additional short courses may also be available where you can choose from rock-climbing, mountain biking, caving, or skiing.
Dates / Locations
#### When You Can Enrol
Apply online now for the course commencing in February 2021. Note: If the course is not available for online application, you can submit your enquiry via the online ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when course dates are available.
#### Delivery Schedule
While the majority of the course is taught onsite during field excursions and camps, there are also online components of learning.
#### Locations
- McKoy Street, Wodonga Vic (Main campus)
Info Events / Sessions
No info events or info sessions available.
Structure
#### Compulsory Units
HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety
PUAOPE013 Operate communications systems and equipment
SISOFLD002 Minimise environmental impact
SISOPLN001 Finalise operation of outdoor recreation activities
SISOPLN002 Plan outdoor activity sessions
SISOPLN004 Identify hazards, assess and control risks for outdoor recreation activities
SISOPLN005 Interpret weather and environmental conditions for outdoor recreation activities
SISORSC001 Conduct search and rescue
SISXCAI006 Facilitate groups
SISXCCS003 Address client needs
SISXEMR002 Coordinate emergency responses
SISXFAC001 Maintain equipment for activities
SISOABS003 Abseil single pitches, natural surfaces
SISOABS006 Establish ropes for single pitch abseiling on natural surfaces
SISOABS009 Lead single pitch abseiling activities on natural surfaces
SISOFLD006 Navigate in tracked environments
SISORSC002 Perform vertical rescues
SISOBWG003 Bushwalk in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOBWG004 Cross rivers during bushwalks
SISOBWG007 Lead bushwalks in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOFLD008 Navigate in extremely difficult tracked and untracked environments
SISOCNE002 Paddle a canoe on inland flatwater
SISOCNE003 Paddle a canoe on moving water up to grade 1 rivers
SISOCNE005 Lead canoeing activities on inland flatwater
SISOCNE006 Lead canoeing activities on moving water up to grade 1 rivers
SISOBWG006 Lead bushwalks in difficult tracked environments
SISCAQU002 Perform basic water rescues
#### Selectable Units
Additional selectable units may apply.
#### Learning Outcomes
- Leadership
- Outdoor survival
- Leaders wilderness first aid
- Risk management
- Camp catering
- Navigation
- Nature conservation
Duration
Full-time: 1 year, Part-time: 2 years
Delivery Methods
- On-campus – The majority of teaching and assessment is conducted on-campus
- Blended – Teaching and assessment will be conducted on-campus and online.
To complete the Certificate IV students need industry experience as an assistant leading groups for at least 3 days in each of their specialist activities. Some of this experience will be arranged for students when we provide guided outdoor education experiences for local schools. Other opportunities you will need to organise, however there are numerous and regular casual jobs offered throughout the year and many school outdoor education programs are happy to include a volunteer leader to assist leading an activity.
Fees
Government Funded $11,000.00 (Tuition $10,700.00, Materials $300.00)
Concession $2,440.00 (Tuition $2,140.00, Materials $300.00)
Fee For Service $16,350.00 (Tuition $16,050.00, Materials $300.00)
The student tuition fees published are indicative only and can be subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. For more information see ‘Fee information and eligibility’ under the ‘Apply Now’ tab on the Wodonga TAFE website. Fees will vary greatly depending on your circumstances, concessions, chosen electives and materials needed.
Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements, however it is strongly advised applicants have completed Year 12 or are over age 18. Good literacy, numeracy and computer skills are required as well as maintaining a reasonable level of fitness to perform the physically challenging aspects of this course. Applicants should show a keen interest in being outdoors in nature, engaging regularly with others learning online, and demonstrate a firm commitment to successfully complete the course.
Once you submit an application for this course you will receive a separate email from LLN Robot to complete a Learning, Reading, Writing, Oral and Numeracy test online. Please check your junk mail if this does not come to your inbox.
- Please allow one hour to complete the LLN Robot assessment. You will need a computer with speakers or headphones as there is an audio section in the assessment.
- Your LLN Assessment will need to be completed one week after receiving it to progress your application to the next stage, or your application may be withdrawn due to inactivity.
- If you are unable to access the LLN Robot link please contact our Customer Experience team **as soon as possible**.
- Note: Completion of and passing the LLN Robot Assessment does not guarantee a place in the course at Wodonga TAFE. Numbers are limited and selected applicants will be contacted to attend an interview. If an applicant is not accepted into their preferred course they will be contacted and provided information on alternate pathways and/or courses.
Learning Pathways
Successful completion of this qualification may provide you with credits into a university degree, such as the Bachelor of Applied Science (Outdoor Recreation and Ecotourism) at Charles Sturt University. Please contact higher education providers directly for their relevant credit pathways.
[Study pathways with Wodonga TAFE »](/to-wodonga-tafe-and-beyond)
Careers
Ongoing consultation with industry ensures we deliver courses that maximise employment opportunities for our graduates in a diverse range of roles:
- Group leader who works for an outdoor education program
- Activity specialist for an outdoor education company
- Adventure guide for an ecotourism company
- Expedition leader for an overseas expedition company
- Freelance outdoor guide or instructor
- Recreational officer at a tourist resort
- Youth support worker for a recreational community health program
- Activities coordinator for a government sport and recreation program
- Outdoor guide (uncontrolled environment)
- Outdoor instructor
Important Info
#### Certification
On successfully completing this course you will receive a nationally recognised AQF qualification.
#### Assessment
Assessments are often practical and occur on excursions in the field. In addition there are often online learning activities that need to be completed and these can often be social and very collaborative in nature, involves discussions, planning and group work. You will use a simple online learning system called Moodle which stores all the assessments, feedback, and grades for each unit so you can track your progress through the course.
How to apply
Apply via the ‘Apply Now’ button in this course information page. If the course is not available for online application, you can submit your enquiry via the online ‘Enquire Now’ form to be notified when course dates are available. Also please feel free to contact our friendly Customer Experience team on 1300 69 8233 or email info@wodongatafe.edu.au
Please note: We reserve the right to close course intakes early. Many courses have limited places and high demand. Early applications are recommended. We reserve the right to cancel intakes and courses if there are insufficient student numbers.