It is Outdoors WA's understanding that
1) TCWA is developing its program in conjuction with other states to result ina a national program
2) ACA is seeking to align its accreditation program with this national program
3) Outdoors WA is developing the activity providor module for TCWA's NTAP
4) DEC continue to consider the MTFAT recommendation that accreditation be a requirement of a commercial operators license

PHASE I ADVENTURE ACTIVITY STANDARDS

The Standards for Canyoning, Abseiling, Artificial Climbing, Rock Climbing and Challenge Ropes Courses are now available on the Outdoors WA website.

PHASE II ADVENTURE ACTIVITY STANDARDS

Phase II Draft Standards for canoeing, rafting, kayaking, sea kayaking, bushwalking, SCUBA, snorkeling and
wildlife swims are now in the hands of the TWC's. The public feedback window has closed.
Thereafter the TWC’s will be reconvened to progress toward finalizing the Standards.

PHASE III ADVENTURE ACTIVITY STANDARDS

The initial meeting to launch Phase III Standards was held on July 2 from 6.30pm at DSR Leederville.

Phase III Technical Working Committees are now commencing working through due process developing Standards in

•        Mountain Biking
•        Trail Bike Riding
•        Four Wheel Driving
•        Horse Trail Riding
•        Caving
•        Surfing
•        Recreational Angling

Details of meetings are available on the Web.

UPDATE

With the Industry Quality Framework now addressing alignment of its various components and gaining traction within policy making jurisdictions, the outdoor industry now has a framework within / upon which to build a sustainable training function. Outdoors WA will soon complete its investigation into the feasibility of developing an industry based delivery model for the CERT IV in Outdoor Recreation following Central TAFE’s decision NOT to offer the course in 2009.

We also continue to advocate the alignment of secondary and tertiary studies in related areas in VET and non VET pathways. The next 6 – 12 months will be very critical in terms of addressing the current and future supply issues in the outdoor industry WA.

Outdoors WA presented its Industry Quality Framework and potential training initiatives at the SES Coronial Inquiry, receiving a favorable response. These steps follow largely from the Recommendations of the Ministerial Taskforce in to Visitor Safety reported in 2006. Outdoors WA continues to work in close association with DEC with this regard, and hopes that, in due course work with DET, Toursim WA and DSR with particular focus upon the training agenda will gain momentum. Stay tuned!

Belatedly the Outdoor Council of Australia has finalized the documentation for NOLRS MKII. The full suite of documents can be found on the Outdoors WA web in the Industry Quality Framework section.

Outdoors WA is currently undertaking the following initiatives re NOLRS

• 1.  Establishing Partnered Assessment Provider status of the Munda Biddi Mountain Biking Training Course
• 2.  Drafting Snorkeling registration materials
• 3.  Creating training opportunities for skills development and refreshment

Currently there are 155 registered Outdoor Leaders with 384 activity registrations.

WA ROPING CODE OF PRACTICE

Outdoors WA is pleased to release the WA Roping Code of Practice. A full copy of the Code can be downloaded from the following web link

http://www.outdoorswa.org/files/Roping%20Activities%20Codes%20of%20Practice%20Version%201.0%20March%202008.pdf

It is envisaged that the continued development of the Code, (ie beyond abseiling) will be prioritised in the latter quarter of 2008, after its initial formal review has occurred. Feedback from worksafe was recently received. This will be addressed

Outdoors WA has positioned an Industry Standards Panel (ISP) to receive and manage feedback, appeals, requests for reviews and alleged breeches of the Code. Bert Winning is the Executive Secretary of the ISP. Bert can be contacted via the Outdoors WA office on 92486677 or by email to nolrs@outdoorswa.org

Supporting documentation including a template for contacting the ISP is available from the following web link

http://www.outdoorswa.org/files/INDUSTRY%20STANDARDS%20PANEL%20CONTACT%20TEMPLATE.pdf

Members of the industry, relevant agencies and the general public can also use the web Forum to post comments regarding the WA Roping Code of Practice. See

http://www.outdoorswa.org/forum.php

After a period of 6 months, the ISP will call for feedback re the implementation of the Code from individuals and agencies. As such we encourage you to allocate some time to the digestion and application of the Code in the light of your existing policies and operating procedures as appropriate; to note your deliberations and store them for the review.

For further information, we also include the following web link to the state wide implementation plan which includes suggested agency specific strategies that may assist the implementation of the Code. We shall be in contact with you in the near further to discuss this further. http://www.outdoorswa.org/files/WA%20Roping%20Activity%20CoP%20Statewide%20Implementation%20Plan.pdf