Skills Active, NZMSC and NZOIA have completed an extensive review of their tri-partite MOU entered into in December 2009. This MOU centred on the key principle of an alignment of qualifications with a single industry standard, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework (the Framework).
NZOIA had a different understanding to both Skills Active and MSC in regard to what " an alignment of their qualifications with a single industry standard, aligned with the National Qualifications Framework " meant in practice. NZOIA has re-evaluated its position in regard to its qualifications being aligned with the Framework and is, at this stage, unable to fully commit to this principle.
The tri-partite MOU expires in December of 2011 and because of the development above will not be renewed. To provide clarity for the Outdoor Sector, the three parties positions are:
All parties
All parties are committed to fully participate and engage in the upcoming Targeted Review of Qualifications* (TroQ) due to start in early 2012. Such a process is mandatory for Framework qualifications across all industries in New Zealand. The review and is an “outcomes based” approach to developing relevant NZ Qualifications across the tertiary space without undue duplication. All parties look forward to making a positive contribution in this area.
New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association
NZOIA has developed its qualifications and assessment processes over the past 25 years and will retain full control over the content and delivery of these. At this stage NZOIA sees value in retaining its independence as a standard setting and assessment body. NZOIA will provide a pathway for holders of NZQF qualifications to the NZOIA scheme and registration on NZORB.
NZOIA will continue to administer the NZORB database and set the criteria for revalidation of NZOIA qualifications on this database.
NZOIA remains open to other qualification bodies, if their qualifications lie outside the scope of NZOIA, to partner with NZOIA to have their qualifications on NZORB and set their own entry and revalidation criteria.
NZ Mountain Safety Council
The NZ Mountain Safety Council remains firmly committed to the principle of “one standard, one qualification aligned with the NZ Qualification Framework”. NZMSC confirm they will work to align their assessment processes and qualifications at all levels with those on the Framework.
NZMSC's key requirement is that the assessment, qualification, revalidation and currency system they adopt provides a nationally recognised measure of competence and ensures accessibility for, and transferability between, the voluntary and paid professional workforce.
Skills Active Aotearoa ITO
Skills Active's role is to work with industry to develop standards and qualifications that reflect industry requirements, register these on the Framework with NZQA, and make these available to those people already in "employment" (either paid and or working as volunteers) who can demonstrate those competencies. As such Skills Active will develop Framework based qualifications at Leader, Instructor and Senior Instructor level in all areas of the outdoors, where there is an industry demand for such qualifications.
Based on NZOIA's position, and the qualifications that it offers outside of the Framework, Skills Active will immediately survey workplaces (commercial and volunteer) in the outdoor sector, to see if there is a need for Framework based standards and qualifications. The results of this research will guide our position as we act to meet industry needs.
Skills Active has offered to administer an industry-owned and governed registration body with mechanisms to allow registration of qualifications across the entire recreation sector including the outdoors. Industry representatives will be invited to join a governance board to manage the registration process and to set any measures of current competency for a particular qualification. If there is industry demand for this, Skills Active has offered to host a database of those with current qualifications, that will be searchable by the public.
General remarks:
The principles of the New Zealand Qualifications Framework, administered by NZQA, include the requirement that the qualifications are "accessible" for both the achievement of the qualifications and their assessment. Skills Active maintains an Assessment and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) which stipulates minimum assessor requirements for those assessing Framework-based outdoor qualifications. Currently NZORB registration is stated as a prerequisite for assessor status within the AMAP for outdoors units.
As NZOIA will not accept Framework qualifications as direct entry to NZORB in areas of NZOIA coverage, this is contrary to the principals of accessibility and does not value the nationally accepted set of qualifications on the Framework that have been developed by industry. NZOIA's position around entry to NZORB will necessitate a key change to the AMAP in order that there are pathways to assessment through qualifications endorsed by industry on the Framework.
Under a revised AMAP it is likely that those seeking a qualification may be assessed by individuals that hold the equivalent of an activity specific instruction qualification at least one stage higher than that being assessed, or be attested to be very experienced and hold the same level of the activity specific qualification that is being assessed. In addition the assessor will have to show that they are currently competent.
The suggested AMAP change would not affect the status of NZOIA assessors currently assessing Leader trainees, but will permit non-NZORB registered people who meet the requirements of the AMAP to become assessors of Framework based units and qualifications.
The Framework qualification “National Certificate in Outdoor Leadership (Rock, Bush, Abseil, Sea kayak, Mountain Bike, Kayaking)” is currently aligned to the NZOIA Leader Qualification. It is acknowledged by all parties that now that the Tri-partite MOU is not being renewed, these two qualifications may no longer align.
Any future development of National Certificates* at Instructor Level and Senior Instructor Level by Skills Active will reflect the expressed needs of the industry groups engaged in the TRoQ process. They will not be subject to alignment with NZOIA level 1 & 2 qualifications.
*TRoQ – is the NZQA-mandated process for a “targeted” review of qualifications on the New Zealand Qualifications Framework. Any provider with a qualification on the Framework at Level 6 and below (ITO’s, Polytechnic, PTE's and Universities) must enter into this scheduled process. Through TRoQ NZQA aims to review the wide number of outdoor qualifications currently on the Framework, and rationalise these to a number that represents the job roles available in the outdoors. The new qualifications will be the only ones that will be funded through TEC in the future. They will be defined at a high-level outcome basis of job-role definition, which allows providers to develop unique pathways for their students to achieve those outcomes. Industry bodies and interest groups may participate in the review.
*Under TRoQ these will be named “New Zealand Certificates”
For further information please contact
Matt Cant, CE NZOIA ce@nzoia.org.nz
Darryl Carpenter, CE NZMSC Darryl.Carpenter@mountainsafety.org.nz
Grant Davidson, CE Skills Active grant@skillsactive.org.nz
