Introduction

The Certified Nature Interpretation Skills Guide Programme is a Professional Certification for nature guides. This is an intensive 10-day competency-based programme to prepare participants to be Certified Nature Interpretation Skills Guide accredited with the International Centre of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality (THE-ICE). 

Competencies trained and assessed

Skills required for leading and coordinating tours
- Work as a Guide
- Coordinate and Operate a Tour
- Lead Tour Groups

Skills relevant to prepare and present tour commentaries

- Prepare and Present Tour commentaries or activities

Risk Management skills

- Provide first aid
(NB: to obtain RPL, each student is required to provide evidence of completion of a Red Cross Level 2 Certificate in First Aid or equivalence)
- Manage Risk
(NB: to obtain RPL, each student is required to provide evidence of completion of CUGE-STY3002 Risk Management course)

Develop and maintain the knowledge required by guides

- Develop and maintain the general knowledge required by guides
- Plan and develop interpretive activities
- Prepare specialised interpretive content (flora, fauna and landscape)
- Offer arrival and departure assistance
- Deal with conflict situations
- Sell tourism products and services

Methodology

A good balance of classroom facilitation sessions and practical sessions in nature reserves and public parks.

Who should attend

NParks Officers conducting outreach programmes and nature guiding.
Nature guides
Educators conducting excursions and field trips to nature areas

Admission requirements

Completed Skills Audit conducted with
A relevant degree with at least 1 year relevant working experience OR
A relevant diploma with at least 2 years relevant working experience OR
At least 3 years relevant working experience

Facilitator and Assessor

Mr Paul Taylor is the Course Co-ordinator Ecotourism, Department of Tourism and Event Management, William Angliss Institute of TAFE Australia. He has more than 12 years of experience in nature guiding education through the management and development of the William Angliss Institute of TAFE ecotourism course, developing course materials in tour guiding and interpretation subject areas, development of Tour Guiding training course for East Timor Development Agency. Paul also presented regularly at Ecotourism, Interpretation, Adventure Tourism Forums and Aboriginal Tourism Australia conferences and symposiums. He holds Post-graduate qualifications in education and tourism management and Scuba Diving Instructor and Assistant Cross Country Ski Instructor Certificate.