Skills Active Aotearoa | April 2016
NZC in Avalanche Risk Management (L5)
Qualification details
Title
New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk Management (Level 5)
Version
1
Qualification type
Certificate
Level
5
Credits
40
NZSCED
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092101 Society and Culture > Sport and Recreation > Sport and
Recreation Activities
Qualification developer
Skills Active Aotearoa Limited
Next review
Mmmm YYYY
Approval date
Dd Mmmm YYYY
Strategic purpose statement
The purpose of this qualification is to provide the outdoor snow
sector with individuals who are able to manage personal risk from
avalanche hazards while carrying our activities in dynamic outdoor
contexts.
This qualification intends to benefit New Zealand by improving the
avalanche risk management knowledge and strategies of
practitioners which aims to reduce accidents and near misses in
alpine environments.
Graduates of this qualification are able to contribute to the daily
operation of, and work under, a Safety Management System
(SMS).
Graduates will contribute to the cultural, social and economic
wellbeing of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Outcome Statement
Dr
Graduate profile
Graduates of this qualification will be able to:

apply knowledge of snowpack, weather, terrain and avalanche
phenomena to identify, manage and communicate potential
avalanche hazards;

apply appropriate control methods to mitigate risk to self and
others while operating in avalanche terrain;

apply avalanche search and rescue skills as part of a small
party rescue.
Education pathway
This qualification can lead to the New Zealand Certificate in
Avalanche Risk Management (Level 6) with optional strands in
Advanced Avalanche Hazard and Mitigation Planning, Advanced
Avalanche Forecasting and Data Management, Advanced
Avalanche Search and Rescue Planning, and Avalanche
Education [Ref: xxxx].
Employment pathway
Graduates may be employed or work as volunteers under (direct
or indirect) supervision, in a range of operations actively assisting
in the management of avalanche hazard and risk including: ski
areas, heli-ski operations, cat-skiing operations, snow-mobile
operations, road contractors, alpine and other outdoor guiding and
instruction operations, hunting, trekking, Department of
Conservation, alpine search and rescue, and education providers.
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Skills Active Aotearoa | April 2016
NZC in Avalanche Risk Management (L5)
Graduates working in avalanche terrain must be working under a
recognised Safety Management System in accordance with
industry good practice.
This qualification may also lead to employment opportunities
internationally.
Qualification specifications
This qualification will be awarded by the accredited provider that
has provided the training and assessment leading to the award of
this qualification. The formal certification document will include the
NZQF logo and the logo of the organisation providing the
programme.
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Qualification award
Evidence requirements for
assuring consistency
All Tertiary Education Organisations (TEOs) either arranging or
delivering programmes that lead to the award of the qualification
are required to participate in a consistency process scheduled by
NZQA. Further information can be found on the NZQA website.
All TEOs will be required to provide evidence during the
consistency process. Critical evidence relevant to this qualification
will include the following:

common samples of assessment materials pre- and postdelivery and assessment undertaken in an outdoor snow
environment in accordance with the conditions laid out in the
qualification document;

self-evaluation (eg programme evaluation reports, moderation
outcomes, EER reports);

graduate progressions/destination information;

evidence of engagement with, and feedback from, industry
representatives including with a current and recognised
industry body;

independent surveys of graduates and employers.
Achieved.
Other requirements for the
qualification (including
regulatory body or legislative
requirements)
Entry requirements:
Dr
Minimum standard of
achievement and standards for
grade endorsements
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
Learners must be able to demonstrate evidence of ability to use
avalanche transceivers, shovels, and probes.
Competence may be evidenced by a document signed and dated
by a graduate of the New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk
Management (Level 5) [Ref: xxxx] or recognised equivalent, or
higher graduate stating that the learner meets the following criteria:

personal safety equipment is described in terms of its purpose,
function, use, limitations, care and safety requirements;

techniques for the correct and efficient use of a transceiver are
demonstrated;

a buried transceiver is found in accordance with timeframes
and depths specified in industry good practice;

techniques for the correct and efficient use of shovels and
probes are demonstrated.
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Skills Active Aotearoa | April 2016
NZC in Avalanche Risk Management (L5)
Learners must be familiar and efficient at moving over snow in
alpine terrain and conditions. (This includes ski touring/split board
with climbing skins, snowshoes, crampons, ice-axe, and alpine
boots).
Learners must have a level of fitness appropriate to spending full
days in the alpine environment. (This includes digging in snow and
moving quickly and efficiently over uneven terrain in a rescue
situation).
General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification
All learning and assessment within a programme leading to this
qualification must be carried out in accordance with the following:
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General conditions for
programme

relevant legislation including Health and Safety at Work Act
2015 and Human Rights Act 1993;

relevant Activity Safety Guidelines published by Worksafe
New Zealand

alpine industry Codes including the Snow Responsibility Code
and the Outdoor Safety Code;

a recognised and approved safety management system
including organisational policies and procedures including
Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs), and the use of personal protective
equipment (PPE);

industry publications such as, the current edition of the NZ
Mountain Safety Council (NZMSC) ‘New Zealand Guidelines
and Recording Standards for Weather, Snowpack and
Avalanche Observations’.
Additional guidance and recommendations for programme
development can be found on the Skills Active Aotearoa website
(http://skillsactive.org.nz/).
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile
Qualification outcomes
Conditions
1
Programme should include the following:
Dr
Apply knowledge of
snowpack, weather, terrain
and avalanche phenomena
to identify, manage and
communicate potential
avalanche hazards.

collecting and recording weather, snowpack and avalanche
occurrence data;

factors and methods used in snow stability and danger rating
evaluation.
Credits 30
2
Apply appropriate control
methods to mitigate risk to
self and others while
operating in avalanche
terrain.
Programme should include the following:

scope of practice;

human factors that may affect decision making.
Credits 5
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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Skills Active Aotearoa | April 2016
3
NZC in Avalanche Risk Management (L5)
Apply avalanche search and
rescue skills as part of a
rescue party.
Credits 5
Transition information
Replacement information
This qualification replaced the National Certificate in Snowsport
(Snow Safety) (Level 6) [Ref: 0852].
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Learners currently enrolled in programmes leading to the replaced qualification may either complete the
requirements by 31 December 2019 or transfer to the New Zealand Certificate in Avalanche Risk
Management (Level 5) [Ref: xxxx].
The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification is 31 December 2017. The
last date for award of the replaced qualification is 31 December 2019, at which time they will be
designated as discontinued.
It is the intention of Skills Active Aotearoa that no existing learner should be disadvantaged by these
transition arrangements. Any person who considers they are disadvantaged may appeal to:
Skills Active Aotearoa
PO Box 2183
Wellington 6140
Dr
Telephone 0508 475 4557
Fax (04) 385 7024
Email info@skillsactive.org.nz
Qualification Reference XXXX
© New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
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