NZOIA Prerequisite Exemption Process
Prerequisite: NZOIA 1 qualifications are a prerequisite for the NZOIA 2 assessments
Rational:
- NZOIA 1 assessment tasks may not be repeated in the NZOIA 2 assessment so we need to know the candidate has prior competence. E.g. Commercial Abseil set-up in Rock 1 is not specifically identified in the Rock 2 syllabus.
- Assessors reported that a high percentage of candidates who went directly to a NZOIA 2 assessment were finding the assessment challenging, resulting in deferments and re-sits.
Exemption process:
If you want to advance directly to a NZOIA 2 assessment you can apply to the NZOIA Technical Sub Committee for an exemption to this prerequisite. You will need to provide the following evidence:
- Instructional and personal days above the minimum the NZOIA 2 assessment requires
- An attestation from an NZOIA 1 Assessor
The NZOIA 1 Assessor must attest that you are competent in all aspects of the NZOIA 1 syllabus, including working with students/clients. To reliably do this, the Assessor would need to see you working over an extended period of time. This does not give you the NZOIA 1 qualification, it simply assures NZOIA that you are ready for a NZOIA 2 assessment and have been working at NZOIA 1 level competently and repetitively.
Prerequisite: Minimum Age
NZOIA has minimum age requirements for assessments:
Leader and Climbing Wall: Age 18
NZOIA 1 and 2: Age 20
Rational:
The minimum age is in place to assist the candidate to be ready to take on the high level of responsibility required to instruct, guide and manage groups in the outdoors. It begins at 18 as this is the age you legally do not need to be looked after by a parent or guardian and instead will be looking after others.
Exemption process:
On occasions an experienced and mature young person may be ready to sit an assessment and hold a qualification earlier than the prerequisite age. In this case they can apply to the NZOIA Technical Sub Committee for an exemption to the prerequisite age. Application to include:
- A letter from the applicant outlining why they want to hold the qualification and what experience and attributes do they have that would support holding the qualification at a younger age than required.
- Two references from people of standing in the community (e.g. Principle, Teacher, Coach, climbing supervisor) outlining the person’s ability, maturity and any leadership roles they have been in.
Send applications to: NZOIA Technical Sub Committee: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.