About BASI
This information has been taken directly from the BASI website. To read more about Snowsports in the UK, click here: More About Snowsports
Formally constituted in 1963, The British Association of Snowsport Instructors (BASI) is a UK based membership association responsible for the training and licensing of snowsport instructors and coaches. If you have had a ski lesson in the UK, chances are you were taught by a BASI qualified instructor.
BASI exists for the benefit of its members and works on their behalf to deliver:
• Training courses and professional qualifications for 5 disciplines (Alpine, Snowboard, Telemark, Adaptive and Nordic) in instructing and coaching
• Internationally recognised professional snowsports qualifications
• Working opportunities in snowsports instruction in countries throughout the world
• Continuous professional development programmes for members
• Membership value through a range of member benefits
Based in Grantown-on-Spey in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, Scotland, BASI provides instructor training courses in five disciplines; Ski, Snowboard, Adaptive, Telemark, Nordic. Over 300 courses are run annually in both the UK and overseas. BASI licences operate on a modular qualification system starting at Level 1 and moving through to a Level 4 International Snowsports Teaching Diploma (ISTD). All BASI courses are aligned to the Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework (SCQF). The University of Edinburgh has undertaken this work in partnership with BASI so that the level and difficulty of learning on each BASI course is valued and recognised against the SCQF. Employers, other professional associations, colleges and universities can use this information to make informed judgements to value and recognise these courses through the systems they operate.
BASI instructors are one of the UK snowsports industry’s biggest success stories. In 2015, BASI has 6300 members living and working in 38 countries worldwide. Its qualification pathway is recognised internationally and BASI is a member of the International Ski Instructors Association (ISIA).
BASI and the SCQF
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) is a national framework for qualifications which is internationally recognised and aligned to the European Qualification Framework (EQF). As a result of the work that BASI has undertaken with the University of Edinburgh, 24 BASI courses across all levels and disciplines are now registered on the SCQF database.
THE SCQF AND EQF
Qualifications are aligned to the Scottish Credit Qualification Framework (SCQF) which aligns to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The EQF enables the learners, learning providers and employers to compare qualifications between different EU national systems. This is thought to help increase mobility in the EU labour market within and between the EU countries because it makes it easy to determine a person’s level of qualification which in turn will improve the balance between demand and supply of knowledge and skills.
Which BASI course qualifications are on the SCQF?
All of the courses in the table below deliver qualifications on the SCQF database. The table below provides an overview of the SCQF level, number of credit points and the equivalent EQF level. On the successful completion of a course qualification, BASI, as the awarding body will issue a certificate which indicates the learning outcomes achieved. The certificate carries the logo of The University of Edinburgh to indicate that the courses have been credit rated by them and the SCQF logo to indicate that it is on their database.
The aim of the alignment process has been to map the learning outcomes for each of the courses to a nationally recognised framework and to enhance the quality assurance processes already in place for BASI courses, training and assessment.
The inclusion of BASI courses on the SCQF database gives Members, potential employers and institutions an idea of the level of learning required to successfully achieve a course and the number of learning hours they are likely to have invested. It also allows members to compare the level of learning they have achieved against other aligned qualifications (such as university degrees, etc.).
HOW THE SCQF WORKS
The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework has 12 levels. The different levels indicate the level of difficulty of a particular qualification.
In addition to a level, qualifications are also allocated credit points. Credit points are a way of showing how much time it takes, on average, to complete a qualification or learning programme. Credit points are specific to the SCQF levels; you can’t add points together from courses at different SCQF levels.
THE BENEFITS OF THE SCQF FRAMEWORK
• Helps learners decide how to progress their learning;
• Helps individuals understand qualifications they are not familiar with;
• Helps employers understand different types of qualifications and also supports effective workforce development;
• Helps education and training providers of all kinds to identify the level that has been studied in a particular subject and make it easier to transfer credit points between different learning programmes;
• Provides recognition of a very wide range of learning types;
More Information regarding the aims and benefits of the SCQF can be found here.
CREDIT TRANSFER
In some instances, it may be possible to transfer SCQF credit points to other learning programmes to ensure that a learner does not have to repeat any learning they have already undertaken.
Universities and colleges, SQA and other awarding bodies decide how many of the credit points already received from previous learning can be transferred into their programmes. In all cases of credit transfer it would be the decision of the accepting learning institution as to how many credit points could be transferred.
CAN MY ALIGNED BASI QUALIFICATION BE USED TO ACCESS HIGHER EDUCATION?
This would be at the discretion of the institute where you intend to study. We recommend that you include your qualification and mention the SCQF level and credit points achieved in your application. BASI Qualifications cannot replace a degree, however if you plan to study a course with similar content to that of a BASI course you have passed, you may be able to transfer credits.
CAN MY ALIGNED BASI QUALIFICATION BE USED TO ACCESS JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Yes. Some employers now refer to qualifications at particular SCQF levels in their job adverts allowing them to recognise a variety of relevant qualifications and skills which would have otherwise been difficult to detail in a way that is meaningful and easy to understand.
During a recent discussion with a group on a course, we were asked what this meant they could write on their CV and or in a cover letter? Here is an example which will vary depending on the qualifications held (check your certificate for specifics).
CV Example: BASI Alpine Level 2 Instructor: SCQF Level 7, 12 Credits.
Cover Letter Example: I hold a BASI Alpine Level 2 ski instructor license which is credit rated by The University of Edinburgh on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework at level 7 for 12 Credits. This is the equivalent of 120 hours of work at the same level as Advanced Highers in Scotland, A Levels in England or a Higher National Certificate (HNC).