THE LAW “ No person shall be registered as a tourist guide in terms of this Act unless he or she shows proof of the competence contemplated in section 21B.”   “ 21B The competence mentioned in section 21A(2) shall be determined by the South African Qualifications Authority established by the South African Qualifications Authority Act,1995 (Act No. 58 of 1995), in either unit standards or national qualifications, to meet the objectives of the National Qualifications Framework defined in the said Act.”

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SECTOR ? Discrimination   Most of the development of the sector took place under an anachronistic era of apartheid. Many of the structures and processes and much of the culture of the sector have, unavoidably, been created under the old order, or, more disturbingly, in a new era under old paradigms. Discrimination of various types lies imbedded within these legacies and overcoming it is a political, social and economic task which the Tourism Learnership Project (TLP) must address.

WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE SECTOR ? Skills Development Skills and competence are often not recognised when employees: move into or out of enterprises or education and training. Education and training are often not recognised when transferred from one place of learning to another. Training programmes often do not make the most rational use of resources. Quality of training is not sufficiently high at all times. Life-long learning is, in many instances, not happening and this results in teachers/trainers who are not up to date practitioners, and in employees/learners who may have outdated skills or competence. Discrimination takes place on the basis of past access to training or education. There is little formal recognition of much of the competence of employees.

THE PROBLEM WITH STANDARDS Standards are often: Positivist Reductionist ignore underlying attributes ignore group processes and their effect on performance essentially status quo orientated and conservative Atheoretical ignore the complexity of performance in the real world ignore the role of professional judgement in intelligent performance

TRANSFORMING QUALIFICATIONS TREATMENT TRANSFORMING QUALIFICATIONS Portability of skills by maximising compatibility and portability of competence in standards across qualifications. Progress of learners by designing every qualification as part of a learning pathway. Future focus by interrogating events and change agendas before qualification design. Integrating learning by treating unit standards as part of a whole. learners by creating a common, thoughtful base of learning skills in all fundamental components of qualifications Life-long

TRANSFORMING UNIT STANDARDS Benchmarking off international lessons in standards and 3 years of South African research and conceptualisation Keeping competence holistic by assessing for everything in the standard Range statements as guides to practitioners and learners

TRANSFORMING UNIT STANDARDS Valuing knowledge by its thoughtful use and assessment. assessment in a way that will change practice without becoming mechanistic and prescriptive. Describing Looking for real, underpinning competence that supports skills.

NATIONAL CERTIFICATE IN TOURISM : GUIDING (NQF4) Fundamental Core Elective Cultural Guiding Adventure Guiding Nature Guiding Operate a Personal Computer Plan and Conduct Research Analyse & Understand Social Issues Function in a Team Interact Orally and in writing in the Workplace Collate, understand & communicate Workplace Data Demonstrate an understanding of Societal Values & Ethics Organise oneself in the Workplace Demonstrate an understanding of issues effecting people with special needs Acquire an overview of South Africa Weave South African Heritage into Tourism Contribute to Sustainable Tourism in South Africa Operate in a Business Oversee Arrival & Departure of Customers Care for Customers Maintain Occupational Health and Safety Contribute to information distribution regarding HIV/AIDS in the Workplace Conduct a Guided Experience With Customers Design a Guided Experience for Customers Interpret Guiding to Tourists Operate within the National and International Legal Framework

QUALIFICATION PURPOSE In the context of the guiding sector, this qualification will enable the creation of innovative and exciting guided experiences. A qualifying learner will be able to contribute positively towards the guiding sector as a part of Southern Africa’s tourism industry.   A learner who has achieved this qualification will be capable of combining a range of life-long learning skills and a knowledge of South African tourism issues, integrating these within a context to produce multi-skilled guiding practices. In addition they will be positioned to further their learning, practice and career within the guiding sector - either at further levels or in other areas of practice. Expansion into other sectors of tourism is also possible

QUALIFICATION OUTCOMES Conduct, reflect on and improve a guided experience within a specific area that entertains and educates tourists by interpreting cultural and natural environments. Research, use and plan an itinerary themselves. Present authentic, balanced interpretation of general aspects of South African society as well as specific sites and resources. Apply procedures to protect the social and cultural integrity of the host communities.

QUALIFICATION OUTCOMES Supply appropriate alternatives to problems and constraints, taking into account issues such as the constraints of the facilities, tourist expectations, and the requirements of the host community. Apply a range of presentation techniques appropriate to the audience, context and client profile. Monitor and improve their own performance based on critical reviews And evaluation of the event. Reflect on what they have learnt about themselves.