Adventure Tourism and Guiding (Level 4) New Zealand Certificate in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Multi-skilled) Adventure Tourism and Guiding (Level 4)

Summary

Home to three national parks, as well as lakes, rivers, caves and canyons, Te Tauihu (Top of the South) is one of the best places to study Adventure Tourism and Guiding.

Equip yourself with the technical and frontline skills required for a career in the outdoor and adventure tourism industry. Spend 80% of your studies with hands-on experiences, such as hiking, rafting, whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, sea kayaking, skiing, snowboarding and canyoning.

Let the diverse landscape of Te Tauihu become your beautiful outdoor classroom. You will experience real-life situations and grow your confidence as a guide. The multi-day expeditions and teaching trips are key components of the learning programme.

Our Nelson campus is located just a short distance from three national parks and from rivers, ski fields, and caves that are renowned worldwide by adventurers.

What you will learn

• Whitewater rafting
• Sea and whitewater kayaking
• Hiking, tramping & bushwalking
• Snowboarding or skiing
• Rock climbing
• Canyoning

You will also develop many highly transferrable skills that will benefit you no matter where life takes you:

• Personal growth
• Interpersonal skills
• Teamwork
• Confidence (in yourself and others)
• Risk management
• Leadership

and many more.

Off-campus practical training

A large percentage of NMIT's Adventure Tourism programmes are delivered in the natural environment of the Top of the South (Te Tau Ihu) and some of the neighbouring regions.

Learners make the most of the multiple off-campus trips to hone and develop their outdoor skills. Travel is by minivan or bus unless otherwise advised. Staff accompany and supervise learners at all times during these trips.

In addition to the off-campus visits, learners participate in several 'industry practice' courses. Industry practice is a learning opportunity within a workplace that takes place under supervision and enables learners to develop their skills in a workplace environment. The supervision and training is the responsibility of the employer. Students are encouraged to seek and negotiate their own industry practice work placement with the support of their tutors.

A written agreement between the student, employer and NMIT is established prior to placement, outlining expectations, roles and responsibilities of all parties. During work-based training, the coordinating tutor visits and mentors learners in the workplace. Employers will be asked to make learner assessments based on the competencies of learning outcomes.

At the completion of industry practice, employers are asked to complete an evaluation of the students’ activities and attitudes which is returned to the coordinating NMIT tutor. Learners will also have the opportunity to carry out a self-evaluation at the completion of their work-based training.

Learners are given an industry practice course information booklet which outlines NMIT, student and employer responsibilities and are asked to familiarise themselves with its contents.

Industry connections

We have strong industry connections with many national outdoor businesses to keep learning relevant and for ākonga to find pathways into employment.

• NZOIA, where annually, we nominate a student who has gone above and beyond with their progression, and they win an award.
• NZRivers: Raft guide pathway way provider
• NZSIA: courses imbedded into NMITS
• Safe and Sound and Qualworks: we are an audited outdoor activity provider

Career opportunities

Through this programme you will gain experience in a wide range of adventure tourism activities.

This programme can pathway you into the Diploma in Outdoor and Adventure Education (Level 5) to gain the skills you need to be an adventure tourism guide.

Careers:

Outdoor Recreation Guide or Instructor in the fields of:

• Rafting
• Sea Kayaking
• Hiking, tramping and bush walking
• Snowboarding or skiing
• Rock climbing
• Canyoning
• Outdoor educator
• Adventure based learning

Advance to the next level

Study the Diploma in Adventure Tourism and Guiding (Level 5) in your second year and build on the skills you have gained during the Level 4 Certificate.

Graduates can go on to obtain industry tickets(NZOIA awards, Rafting Qualifications, and Ski/snow instructor qualification) in most disciplines and work as professionals in the industry.