Who are these qualifications for?
This suite of qualifications is for abseiling and rock climbing professionals who wish to expand their careers.
Outdoor leaders are clear-headed, capable and outgoing. They use their personal and technical expertise to plan and run incredible outdoor excursions . Their training and know-how enables them to respond confidently when things get tricky.
Below is the qualification pathway for Abseiling and Rock Climbing. For more information on the full outdoor leader qualifications, click the links below each level, or scroll down for more information on the Abseiling and Rock Climbing strands!
These qualifications are designed to be completed in the great outdoors, through a mix of online learning and hands-on practical training.
What's involved?
Evidence required to complete qualification:
(All trainees must complete the Fundamentals module, in addition to the Rock Climbing or Abseiling activity module. Trainees who add further activity strands at the same level do not have to repeat Fundamentals at that level.)
Abseiling Leader (Level 4) graduates will be able to carry out single-pitch abseiling, and plan and lead groups in abseiling activities.
At least 10 personal abseils, at a minimum of three sites, using their own abseil set up
At least five days' additional experience as a co-leader or assistant leader, assisting with setup and group management at a crag or abseil structure.
Rock Climbing Leader (Level 4) graduates will be able to carry out single-pitch rock climbing including rescue skills, and plan and lead groups in rock climbing activities.
At least 20 routes of single-pitch climbing (any grade) while on a top rope at an indoor or outdoor venue
At least five days' additional experience as a co-leader or assistant leader, assisting with setup and group management at an indoor or outdoor venue
Top-roped climbing to Grade 14.
Rock Climbing Guide (Level 5) graduates will be able to plan, lead and evaluate single-pitch rock climbing activities, including multi-day trips, and guide single-pitch rock climbing activities.
At least 40 days' rock climbing experience
At least 10 additional days' guiding rock climbing and at least five additional days' leading abseiling. Guiding experience may include being a co-guide/instructor or assistant guide/instructor
Rock climbing experience at a minimum of three climbing areas, of different rock types. A rock climbing day must be at least four hours' climbing, with no less than four pitches climbed
Lead climbing up to and including Grade 15 on bolted routes.
Rock Climbing Instructor (Level 5) graduates will be able to instruct the skills for single-pitch rock climbing,
At least 40 days' rock climbing experience; including at least 20 days' personal climbing, at least 10 days' instructing rock climbing, and at least five sessions instructing abseiling
Instructing experience can include being a co-instructor or assistant instructor
Rock climbing experience at a minimum of three climbing areas, of different rock types. A rock climbing day must be at least four hours' climbing, with no less than four pitches climbed
Lead climbing to Grade 15 on bolted routes.
Rock Climbing Senior Leader (Level 6) graduates will be able to instruct the skills for multi-pitch rock climbing, and teach others how to instruct rock climbing activities
Trainees must hold the Level 5 (Instruction) certificate before they can be assessed for the Level 6 certificate
At least 80 days' rock climbing experience; including at least 50 days' personal lead climbing, including multi-pitch and using placed protection, at least 10 days' experience instructing or assisting instructing groups, and lead climbing on placed and fixed protection
Lead climbing up to and including Grade 20, using placed protection, at a variety of crags.
Programme structure
The Abseiling Leader (Level 4) programme is made up of the following unit standards:
| Unit standard 30689 | Demonstrate knowledge of the leadership role in outdoor recreation activities | L4 | 5 credits |
| Unit standard 30937 | Demonstrate knowledge and skills for abseiling | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 30938 | Plan, prepare, organise, lead and evaluate introductory abseil session | L4 | 20 credits |
| Unit standard 30690 | Plan and prepare for leading an outdoor recreation activity | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 28510 | Demonstrate knowledge of and operate under a framework of kaitiakitanga in outdoor recreation | L3 | 5 credits |
The Rock Climbing Leader (Level 4) programme is made up of the following unit standards:
| Unit standard 30689 | Demonstrate knowledge of the leadership role in outdoor recreation activities | L4 | 5 credits |
| Unit standard 30952 | Demonstrate knowledge and skills for top rope rock climbing on Ewbank Grade 14 | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 30953 | Plan, prepare, organise, lead and evaluate introductory top rope climbing session | L4 | 20 credits |
| Unit standard 30690 | Plan and prepare for leading an outdoor recreation activity | L4 | 15 credits |
| Unit standard 28510 | Demonstrate knowledge of and operate under a framework of kaitiakitanga in outdoor recreation | L3 | 5 credits |
For more information on the content of these qualifications, visit the NZQA website, here.
What are the costs?
On-job training costs workplaces both time and resources. It can mean covering registration fees, learning and assessment resources, allocating time for training, and having an appropriate assessment pathway available.
Total costs for trainees will vary depending on how the qualification is delivered, how it is assessed and how much support the workplace can provide.
Check out our fees list and financial help options.
For more detailed information about the cost of doing an on-job qualification, get in touch.
Where to from here?
Keen to become a qualified abseiling or rock climbing professional? Think this might be the right qualification for your staff?
To find out more, or to sign up to this qualification, contact your regional Skills Active learning support advisor.
Remember, to do this qualification on the job, a Skills Active trainee needs to be working as a volunteer or paid employee in the outdoor recreation industry.
If you are interested in this qualification, but you're not currently employed in the industry, contact a Skills Active learning support advisor to talk about how you can get involved.
Want to see where this qualification can take you next?
Check out our range of other outdoor recreation qualifications.
Discover your own career path on Tōu Aratika - our careers website.
Enrol now!
Contact your regional advisor or
P 0508 4 SKILLS (0508 475 4557)
E info@skillsactive.org.nz