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The structure of the award scheme
Award Scheme Training Services
Links to Australian Canoeing
National Safety Guidelines for Canoeing
Links to Fairbridge (RTO)
Consulting Services
For those who are have a requirement to lead groups or teach the skills of paddling, Australian Canoeing has a nationally and internationally recognised award scheme that provides qualifications for those engaged in leadership activities. These awards are delivered throughout Australia by National Training Providers.
Our role
Western PaddleSports is arguably the most experienced National Training Provider for Australian Canoeing in WA. We understand what it takes to train and assess candidates to a high standard so they achieve a qualification that will equip them to undertake the role for which they have qualified. We have been training and assessing candidates to the Australian Canoeing Award Scheme level now for several years, and it is an important part of our focus. We provide an environment that can train you to the national standard, and provide a mentoring environment in which you can work with experienced instructors as you gain experience.
What you achieve with an award
Those who successfully complete Award Scheme courses achieve a nationally recognised qualification. It is a competency based system, and units of competency achieved may also count towards other outdoor leadership qualifications.
The New Award Scheme
Since 2002, the ACAS has been based on units of competency from the VET Scheme (The Australian Vocational and Education Training Scheme). There are intermediate stages that are possible, but for practical purposes the working levels of the scheme are either a guide or instructor award. Awards start at Level 1 for flatwater, and can be progressed to the advanced whitewater and sea kayak levels.
Western PaddleSports is accredited to deliver and assess:
- All Skills & Rescue Award
- All Guiding Awards
- All Instructor Awards
Award Registration
Australian Canoeing manages the national instructor registration scheme. Those who achieve Guiding or Instructing Awards are then required to submit evidence of currency of practice every three years in order to retain registration as an Australian Canoeing Guide or Instructor.
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We provide the following services to assist candidates to achieve competency.
- Consultation with candidates, and advice on the best method for them to achieve competency given their objectives, and the time and resources they are able to commit to the project.
- Pre–course assessment of paddling skills to ensure candidates have the minimum skill level required to undertake tuition and assessment for the Award they are seeking.
- If possible, scheduling of course tuition and assessment at times suited to candidate's work commitments.
- Provision of a wide range of learner resources to enable candidates to study the necessary background information for assessment of competency and knowledge.
- Classroom based workshops and on-water practical tuition.
- Course assessment, combining practical and class-based methods.
- If possible, assistance with combining assessment of candidates with real class delivery as part of our wider tuition program.
- RPL and RCC for candidates who have undertaken equivalent or higher levels of study towards units incorporated in the award scheme.
- Processing of the necessary paperwork to facilitate issue of the Canoeing Award(s) and Statement of Attainment for the units of competency achieved.
- Retention of assessment records to satisfy audit requirements or any future queries that may arise.
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To view further information on the ACAS, please click here to go to the Australian Canoeing website. Information on the ACAS is found in the Education section.
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AC has an extensive document covering the national standards for canoeing at all levels. The document is available as a .pdf file and can be downloaded by clicking here. Candidates on Award Scheme courses are advised to be familiar with its provisions with regard to their award and area of operations.
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Western PaddleSports operates in close association with Fairbridge Inc, a RTO (Registered Training Organisation) based in Pinjarra. Students on any Western PaddleSports VET courses receive a Statement of Attainment from Fairbridge for the UoC's (Units of Competency) they achieve.
When you enrol with Western PaddleSports you also enrol with a local RTO who is able to assist you with any aspects of the VET Scheme. This service is unique to our clients in WA.
For students enrolling any award scheme courses, the following documents from Fairbridge may be downloaded for your information.
Further information about Fairbridge may be obtained by visiting the Fairbridge website. Click here to visit the site.
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The delivery of outdoor education and recreation has become an activity that is subject to the same standards and requirements that other professions and industries face. This includes appropriately qualified people leading groups within safe ratios of participants, and many other operational requirements that in the past were often dealt with in a casual manner. Today, duty of care requires appropriate standards at both a leadership and organisational level.
Setting the appropriate policy framework, operating standards and risk management procedures in place to satisfy duty of care and other requirements can be a large task, often outside the experience of those charged with the responsibility of administration.
We can help. Having established Western PaddleSports from scratch and being subject to regular national audits, we understand the requirements of quality delivery of services, and what is required to satisfy standards such as the Adventure Activity Standards that are in the process of implementation in WA.
Our consulting services are available to assist any outdoor organisation, (not only those engaged in paddling activities), meet requirements to satisfy current standards. Please call or email us to arrange a discussion.
Services include:
- Training of staff (see awards above)
- Formulation of policy framework
- Establishment of operating procedures
- Creation of necessary documentation
- Risk assessments
- Development of Emergency Action plans
- Audits of procedures and methods
Whether your requirements are the training of staff or assistance with establishment or audit of your procedures and methods, we are happy to assist at whatever level you may require.
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