The Unit Standards for the Level One and Two Guiding Qualifications have been approved by the Standards Generating Body and given the green light for field-testing in the period from January 2005-May 2005.

After successful completion of the level One course in Swakopmund, the activities of the Curriculum sub-committee are concentrating on finalizing training materials for prospective guides and guide instructors as well as assessment methodologies for the Level Two candidates.

During the upcoming field testing of the Standards a number of courses and assessment- opportunities will be offered around the country. These will include training opportunities for guides and instructors, as well as currently practicing guides who desire recognition of their competency in one or both levels, without going through formal training.

The field-testing has received approval by the NQA and NTA; therefore successful candidates will have recognized National qualifications upon completion.

The Pilot Project for Level Two will be co-coordinated and offered by NATH in Windhoek from Feb. 07 –25.

This pilot project will involve the simultaneous instruction of ten future instructors as well as 25 guide candidates. The ten "instructors" will join the lecturer as co-instructors in training, listening to and observing his methodologies, and helping the new "guides" with support in the classroom and in fieldwork in the area around Windhoek. Each of the ten "instructors" are to be chosen from various ethnic groups so that their language abilities can be used to run Level two guiding courses in most areas of Namibia. They should also be practicing guides with at least two years of experience, and preferably existing guiding qualifications from one of the training institutions (NATH, Polytechnic, NACOBTA, MET).

The 25 candidates should be currently practicing guides with basic knowledge about guiding profession. Entry will be preferential for those from the previously disadvantaged sector.

All interested parties are requested to seek further information through the NATH offices as soon as possible.