Field Guides Association of Southern Africa - Qualifications

NATURE GUIDING QUALIFICATIONS
The Association has a large number of qualifications, each with their own requirements in terms of eligibility to enter the qualification, syllabus and module outlines, prescribed and recommended reading, theory assessment and relevant rules and practical assessment processes. This section will outline all this information under each qualification offered through FGASA. For detailed information on each qualification in terms of training and assessment refer to the specific qualification ‘Learner Workbook and Support Pack’ purchased from the FGASA bookshop. ____________________________________________________________
LOCAL NATURE GUIDE (NQF2)
At this level the guide: Is operating as a nature guide in a restricted or limited geographical environment. This usually refers to a particular Game or Nature reserve, National Park, Botanical garden, Bird Sanctuary, etc. Has the basic knowledge considered essential to register and operate legally as a Local Nature Guide. Has been declared competent against the requirements of the FGASA Local Nature Guide practical assessment. Has a valid, up-to-date recognised First Aid Certificate. Is registered with Dept of Tourism as a legally qualified Nature Site Guide. The category Local Guide was introduced to enable predominantly illiterate learners to attain a qualification (Skills programme) and register to work legally at this level of nature guiding. These learners would possibly have difficulty being theoretically assessed for the FGASA Level 1 qualification due to literacy issues.
HOW DO I GET A FGASA LOCAL GUIDE QUALIFICATION?
Once you have become an applicant member with FGASA you can apply for a FGASA Local guide practical assessment. (There is no theory examination for the Local guide qualification). If you can read or write it is suggested that you apply for the FGASA Level 1 qualification. The practical assessment for the Local guide qualification is carried out by a registered FGASA assessor in a guiding area of your choice. You will need to take the assessor on a guided nature experience in a limited geographical area (with or without paying clients), preferably with clients. The practical assessment will be explained to you in detail by your assessor in the pre-assessment brief. The assessor will make sure that you know what you will be assessed on so you may prepare yourself for this assessment. Payment for your practical assessment is made directly to the assessor and not to the FGASA office. Once you have been declared competent for the practical assessment you will have attained the FGASA Local Nature Guide Qualification. The guide achieving this qualification will be able to identify the major living and non-living features of the natural environment in which s/he operates and interpret them at a level based mainly on observation.
WHAT LEARNING MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR THE LOCAL GUIDE QUALIFICATION?
It is recommended if the learner is able to read that s/he makes use of the Level I Training Manual by Grant & Gillie Hine to further his/her knowledge. ____________________________________________________________
LEVEL I NATURE GUIDE
At this level the guide: Is operating as a nature site guide in a limited capacity but is in the process of development. May be operating as a competent guide in a number of different sites. A Site usually refers to a particular Game or Nature reserve, National Park, Botanical garden, Bird Sanctuary, etc. Has the basic knowledge considered essential to register and legally conduct a guided nature experience in a limited geographical area as a FGASA Level 1 (NQF2) nature guide. Has been declared competent against the requirements of the FGASA Level 1 theoretical and practical assessment. Has a valid, up-to-date recognised First Aid certificate.
HOW DO I GET A FGASA LEVEL I GUIDE QUALIFICATION?
Once you have joined the Association as an applicant member of FGASA you can apply to write the FGASA Level 1 Nature Guide theory examination. Payment for the theory examination should be made to FGASA in the same manner as the FGASA fees. Application and payment for the theory exam can also be made at the same time as your FGASA membership application payment. Once you have passed (declared competent for) the FGASA level 1 theory examination you can apply to be practically assessed. The practical assessment for the Level 1 nature guide qualification is carried out by a registered FGASA assessor in a guiding area of your choice. You will need to take the assessor on a guided nature experience in a limited geographical area (with or without paying clients), preferably with clients. The practical Assessment will be explained to you in detail by your assessor in the pre-assessment brief. The assessor will make sure that you know what you will be assessed on so you may prepare yourself for this assessment. (Refer to the Level 1 Learner Workbook and Support Pack for details). Payment for your practical assessment is made directly to the assessor and not to the FGASA office. Once you have been declared competent for the Level 1 practical and theoretical assessment you will have attained the FGASA Level 1 Nature Guide Qualification.
WHAT LEARNING MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR THE LEVEL I QUALIFICATION?
The following learning materials are compulsory: The FGASA Level 1 Learner Support Pack and Workbook The Level I Learner Manual – Grant and Gillie Hine The Guiding Skills Manual – Grant Hine ____________________________________________________________
LEVEL II NATURE GUIDE
At this level the guide: Is operating as a Nature site guide in an advanced capacity but is in the process of further development. May be operating as a competent guide in a number of different sites. A Site usually refers to a particular Game or Nature reserve, National Park, Botanical garden, Bird Sanctuary, etc. Has a minimum of 1 year (260 days) practical active guiding experience as a nature guide and can conduct a guided nature experience legally as a Level 2 nature guide. Has the knowledge considered essential to register and legally conduct a guided nature experience as a FGASA Level 2 nature guide. Has been declared competent against the requirements of the FGASA Level 2 theoretical and practical assessment. Has a valid, up-to-date recognised First Aid certificate. Entry requirements for the Level 2 theory examination: The writing of the Level 2 theory examination is dependent on firstly, having attained a full FGASA Level 1 nature guiding qualification (both theory and practical competence), and secondly you must have logged a minimum of 1 year (260 days) of active guiding experience before you can apply for the exam. Entry requirements for the Level 2 practical assessment: You will be eligible to apply to be practically assessed for the FGASA Level 2 Nature Guide Qualification once you have: Passed (declared competent) the FGASA Level 2 theory examination Logged a minimum of 1 year (260 days) of active guiding experience Your logbook has been signed off by the FGASA office Been verified as a currently paid-up member of the Association Logbook: Your guiding experience must be recorded in the FGASA Logbook issued to you when you joined as a member. If you are joining FGASA and you have already gained a certain amount of guiding experience, you can backdate your logbook with this experience. This guiding experience must be verified and signed by your previous employer(s). Reference letters may be sent with your logbook to the FGASA Johannesburg office. (Refer to the description in the FGASA logbook as to what is required). Application and payment: If you have attained a full FGASA Level 1 Nature Guiding qualification (both theory and practical) and you have logged 260 days active guiding experience, and you have sent your logbook to the FGASA office for verification and your logbook experience has been verified (260 days of active guiding experience) will you be eligible to write the Level 2 theory examination. You will need to send your examination application form and proof of payment for the Level 2 Nature Guide examination to the FGASA office. Remember that examination applications close 1 month before the set national examination sitting. Once you passed your Level 2 theory exam and your logbook was signed off you will be elegible for the practical assessment. The practical evaluation for the Level 2 qualification is carried out by a registered FGASA Assessor in a guiding area of your choice. You will need to take the assessor on a guided nature experience (with or without paying clients), preferably with clients. The practical Assessment will be explained to you in detail by your assessor in the pre-assessment brief. The assessor will make sure that you know what you will be assessed on so you may prepare yourself for this assessment. (Refer to the Level 2 Learner Workbook and Support Pack for details). Payment for your practical assessment is made directly to the assessor and does not come via the FGASA office.The unit standards that make up the FGASA Level II (NQF4) qualification are assessed by means of various methods in terms of theory, practical, Portfolio of Evidence workbooks and logged workplace experience. The unit standards: • CARE FOR CUSTOMERS • CONDUCT A TOURIST GUIDING ACTIVITY • CONDUCT A GUIDED NATURE EXPERIENCE Will be assessed by means of:  Workbook – submitted to the assessor  The FGASA Level 2 Theory examination  The FGASA Level 2 Practical assessment  Evidence of 260 days active guiding experience (Logged) In terms of these three unit standards the FGASA level II nature guide should be able to point out and explain in terms of elementary scientific theory and cultural belief the features of the natural environment in which s/he operates and putting it into broader ecological context. As a general guideline, the level of scientific understanding is intermediate between level I and III. This qualification is distinguished from the level I category predominantly on the depth of knowledge required on similar topics. The 4th compulsory unit standard: • MINIMISE AND MANAGE SAFETY AND EMERGENCY INCIDENTS Will be assessed by means of:  A workbook constituting a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) Elective Unit Standards – One of which has to be completed: • RESEARCH AND DESIGN A GUIDED EXPERIENCE AT A PROMINENT TOURISM SITE Will be assessed by means of:  A workbook constituting a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) • CONDUCT A GUIDED BIOME EXPERIENCE Will be assessed by means of:  A workbook constituting a Portfolio of Evidence (POE) • CONDUCT A GUIDED BIRDING EXPERIENCE Will be assessed by means of:  A workbook – submitted to the assessor  A slide and sound assessment for relevant birding area(s)  A Practical birding assessment Refer to the information on the Specialist Bird Guiding Qualification Once you have been declared competent for the Level 2 practical assessment you will have attained the FGASA Level 2 Nature Guide Qualification.
WHAT LEARNING MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR THE LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATION?
The following learning materials are compulsory: Level 2 Training Manual – Grant Hine The FGASA Level 2 Learner Support Pack & Workbook The Level I Training Manual – Grant & Gillie Hine ____________________________________________________________
LEVEL III NATURE GUIDE
THE FGASA LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION TThe FGASA Level 3 Nature Guide qualification consists of a number of accumulated certificates, workbook submissions, a theory examination and a practical assessment. The following certificates are compulsory for the Level 3 qualification: • Minimise and Manage Safety and Emergency incidents • Conduct a guided Biome experience (Any Biome) • Conduct a guided Birding experience • Research and design a guided experience at a prominent tourism site • FGASA South African General Knowledge Certificate • FGASA Guiding Tourism Management Certificate • FGASA Guiding Conservation Management Certificate • Conduct an Advanced Guided Nature Experience (theory and practical) - Workbook No1 Some of these certificates you may have already completed while doing the FGASA Level 2 Nature Guide qualification. Those that you have already completed will be recorded in the FGASA office. You can work on those that you have not yet completed and submit them to the FGASA office for assessment. THE THEORY ASSESSMENTS Theory examination Entry requirements for the Level 3 theory examination: The writing of the Level 3 theory examination is dependent on firstly, having attained a full FGASA Level 2 nature guiding qualification (both theory and practical competence), and secondly you must have logged a minimum of 2 years (520 days) of active guiding experience before you can apply for the exam. The theory examination (Only 1 exam) will include questions on the modules indicated in the table below. You will be required to have an understanding of all the information contained in each exam module to ensure that you can answer all the possible questions in the theory examination. Level 3 Learners will need to submit this workbook No1 related to the modules which will also be questioned in the theory examination. THE LEVEL 3 PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT Entry requirements for the Level 3 practical assessment: You will be eligible to apply to be practically assessed for the FGASA Level 3 Nature Guide Qualification once you have: • Been verified as a currently paid-up member of the Association • Logged a minimum of 2 years (520 days) of active guiding experience • Your logbook has been signed off by the FGASA office • You have successfully completed Workbook No1 and No2 • Passed (been declared competent) the FGASA Level 3 theory examination *The practical assessment:* The practical assessment for the FGASA Level 3 qualification takes place while conducting guided experiences with FGASA assessors and clients over at least a two day period.
WHAT LEARNING MATERIALS DO I NEED FOR THE LEVEL 3 QUALIFICATION?
The following books are compulsory: Van As, J. & du Preez, J & Brown, L & Smit, N. 2012. The Story of Life and the Environment, an African perspective. Struik Nature publishers. Cape Town Guiding Skills Learner Manual - Grant Hine George, R. 2007. Managing tourism in South Africa. Oxford University Press, South Africa. Cape Town. Introduction to South Africa – Researched and compiled by Jo Pearce, Printed by Energy guides (Available to purchase at the FGASA office) Beat about the Bush (Birds) – Trevor Carnaby