Training Courses

Instructor/Guide training courses are designed for people who have already developed their personal skills in a particular discipline, have begun leading and instructing others under supervision, and who wish to be NZOIA qualified.  

We aim for training courses to be a positive learning experience. They are a great way to see where you are at with regards to industry good practice and are opportunities to learn from other instructors and guides, as well as the Assessor.

Training courses are usually two days. You can expect to have up to six people on the course. 

The training course will go through the major elements required on assessment. They should help you identify any gaps before you attend the assessment. You should aim to complete your assessment within 3 to 12 months of a training course.

Current qualification holders may choose to attend a training course to refresh and up-skill. In some cases, this will also qualify as a revalidation event. See Revalidation and Registration for more info.

Stand-down period between Training Course and Assessment

Ideally there should be a period of several months between the training course and assessment. This allows you time to work on any gaps that have been highlighted by the training course. With exception of the Leader qualifications, it is NZOIA policy that you cannot be trained and assessed by the same person within a 6-week period. Leader qualifications are exempt because the leader will be inducted into the site before instructing or guiding in the workplace. Please ensure you plan accordingly. This is mostly applicable to Free Range Assessments. 

The following is required to complete the application process for a NZOIA training course:

• NZOIA Associate or Registered Membership
• Complete a Summary Sheet and logbook as part of your training for the assessment. Your technical skills and experience should be close to the standard expected on assessment. The requirements are detailed in each qualification's Scope and Syllabus. You do not need to have the required logged days to attend the training course.
• Pay course fee

Summary Sheets

NZOIA Summary Sheets assist you and us to identify gaps in prerequisite requirements.

Logbooks

A logbook is a critical part of assessment. It is used to verify that your experience is meeting the logged prerequisite requirements.

It is also the basis of your CV, outlining your personal and professional development. Employers may ask to view it, to validate your experience.

For each experience record date, location, activity, weather, group, length of time, your role, any incidents, and any learning points.

We encourage you to use the NZOIA online logbook which you can access once you are logged in by clicking on the Members tab.

Training Course Fees:

$450 (2 days)

$245 (1 day)

Limited Time Offer - Save $100!!

From 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 NZOIA is offering a Pre-Assessment Training Course and Assessment package. For more details click here.

Full Course Fees table

Course Fees policy

Fees are heavily subsidised to keep courses affordable for members. NZOIA absorbs the balance of the cost through external funding.

1. If you aren’t already, become a NZOIA Member
2. Select appropriate training through Course Calendar. This will outline everything you need to know: duration, cost, location and what is required to complete your application. You will also find links to the Scope and Syllabus documents which outline prerequisite requirements. If you are unable to attend a scheduled training, refer to the information under Custom course. If you have specific training needs or require a course for your staff on a particular date or location, we’ll be happy to put a Custom course together for you.
3. Click APPLY. Ideally you will have all the required documentation ready to upload at the time of applying (e.g. summary sheet, logbook). To upload documents or update health information after submitting your application, you can access your application through My Course Applications under the Members tab.
4. Completing your application. Fill in the health information and risk disclosure and click SUBMIT APPLICATION. This will take you to Order Details. Select one of the three options:
   1. Pay by Credit Card
   2. Request an Invoice (for those wanting to use internet banking or require the invoice to be made out to their employer)
   3. Already Paid (also select this if you already have an invoice and would like to pay via internet banking)
5. Application Acknowledgement

You will receive an Application Acknowledgement via email to confirm your application has gone through, and we will be in touch within 1-3 business days.

Completed application documents and payment must be received by the application closing date which is 6 weeks prior to course commencement. Your place will be secured once your application and payment is complete.

Nearly every person who attends an NZOIA assessment acknowledges the value of attending a training course. Not only does it help improve the quality of your instruction and how you guide a group, but it will also ensure an assessment is a positive experience that results in a pass. No-one wants to attend an assessment and not pass!

Training Tips

• Attend a NZOIA pre-assessment training course
• Attend other relevant training courses
• Take friends out as model clients and ask for feedback
• Link with other instructors and guides in your region and arrange peer training sessions
• Work experience
• Review the Scope and Syllabus document closely
• Contact others who have been on assessments and ask for advice
• Contact the Assessment Coordinator with any queries about the programme or syllabus admin@nzoia.org.nz
• Find a mentor who will guide your development
• Read the relevant resources