This qualification provides the skills and knowledge for an individual to be competent in a broad range of highly-developed technical guiding skills or specialisation in a limited range of skills and knowledge.
Work would be undertaken in the field where tourism products and services are delivered. The field includes any destination, local or regional area, tourist precinct, site, attraction or onboard form of transportation.
The qualification reflects the role of individuals who use well-developed skills and a broad knowledge base in a wide variety of contexts. They apply solutions to a defined range of unpredictable problems, and analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources. They may provide leadership and guidance to others with some limited responsibility for the output of others.
The qualification is suitable for an Australian apprenticeship pathway.
Job roles
Individuals with this qualification are able to work in multiple tourism industry sectors and enterprise types. They may work for inbound tour operators, outbound tour wholesalers, local tour operators, at cultural and heritage sites, in marine and national parks and attractions, or may be owner-operators of small tourism businesses. Because guiding is an occupation that relies on a knowledge base, guides at this level may have specialist knowledge of particular destinations, local areas or regions, sites, tourist precincts or any subject matter. Local guides have a broad knowledge base and deliver tours across a particular city, local area or region. Specialist guides at this level operate tours to remote area destinations and others manage extended touring programs within and outside Australia.
Possible job titles include:
local guide, tour guide and senior tour guide
tour manager or tour director
interpretive guide and senior interpretive guide
remote area guide
outdoor recreation guide or tour leader
museum guide and heritage guide
cultural guide and senior cultural guide
nature-based guide and senior nature-based guide
adventure guide
walking guide
specialist guide
driver guide
owner-operator of small tour operation.
Prerequisite requirements
There are no prerequisites for entry to this qualification.
Subjects
QUALIFICATION RULES
To achieve a Certificate IV in Tourism (Guiding), 18 units must be completed:
all 11 core units
7 elective units:
a minimum of 4 elective units must be selected from the list below
the remaining 3 elective units may be selected from this or another endorsed Training Package or accredited course
a maximum of 1 Languages other than English unit may be counted as an elective within this qualification.
In all cases selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the characteristics of this qualification.
The following table contains a summary of the employability skills required by the tourism industry for this qualification. The employability skills facets described here are broad industry requirements that may vary depending on qualification packaging options.
Employability skill
Industry/enterprise requirements for this qualification include:
Communication
Communicating with tourism operator to determine specific needs of the customer group in order to deliver tailored information; interpreting verbal and written information on tour or activity requirements to ensure smooth logistical delivery; empathising and negotiating acceptable solutions to customer problems and complaints; interpreting and providing clear and accurate information to customers and suppliers to ensure a positive tourism experience.
Teamwork
Leading the tour or activity members as a team, providing instructions and building group cohesion; working with tourism operator and suppliers as a team member and understanding own lead role in delivering the tour or activity and servicing the needs of group members; understanding the quality service goals of the tourism operator and working as a team member to deliver those goals.
Problem solving
Anticipating problems that may arise with tour or activity logistics; mitigating problems by making acceptable adjustments that adhere to the predetermined itinerary requirements, supplier conditions and customer requests; identifying and clarifying the extent of problems that arise on tour, taking responsibility for or requesting assistance from the tourism operator and suppliers in resolving issues; using predetermined policies and procedures to guide solutions to tour or activity delivery problems.
Initiative and enterprise
Showing independence and initiative required to take a lead role in delivering the tour or activity; adapting to emerging operational situations and problems by initiating and implementing creative and immediate responses to ensure smooth tour or activity delivery; identifying and discussing a range of tourism product and service concepts to improve existing product and service options for the tourism operator.
Planning and organising
Collecting, analysing and organising customer, product and supplier information to allow for smooth logistical delivery of the tour or activity; collecting, analysing and selecting appropriate general, specialist and destination service information to meet the needs of the specific customer group, pacing the delivery of tour logistics and information to meet the operational and customer service requirements; participating in continuous improvement by reporting successes or deficiencies of the tour or activity being delivered.
Self-management
Understanding and complying with the legal responsibilities that apply to own role in delivering tours or activities; knowing own job role and responsibilities, acting through self-direction and organising own work time and priorities when preparing for and delivering tours or activities; reviewing and reflecting on own work performance and seeking feedback and guidance on success in effectively servicing the needs of tour or activity participants.
Learning
Knowing own knowledge and skill strengths and weaknesses; taking responsibility for own professional development; sourcing ongoing learning opportunities and information using a range of mediums and settings to update regularly and proactively the general, specialist and destination service knowledge required; sharing information with colleagues.
Technology
Understanding the operating capability of, selecting and using the appropriate technology to prepare for and deliver tours or activities, e.g. computer systems to prepare tour or activity participant information, microphones, props, recreational and entertainment equipment, touring vehicles and vessels.
Due to the high proportion of electives required by this qualification, the industry/enterprise requirements described above for each employability skill are representative of the tourism industry in general and may not reflect specific job roles. Learning and assessment strategies for this qualification should be based on the requirements of the units of competency for this qualification.
