EcoTraining and FGASA have joined forces in a training collaboration aimed at fostering development opportunities and promoting inclusion and transformation within the guiding industry. With funding from CATHSSETA, we have carefully selected ten passionate and dedicated community guides to participate in a program designed to elevate their professional careers.

This initiative specifically targets individuals who are already qualified guides and are committed to advancing their careers through FGASA. The chosen ten, all holding their FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF2 qualification, have demonstrated a strong commitment to progressing in the field. Now, with the support of CATHSSETA and the expert training provided and facilitated by EcoTraining, these guides are on the path to achieving their FGASA Nature Site Guide NQF4 qualification.

Earlier this year, FGASA invited all approved training Delivery Partners to nominate NQF2 candidates who showed exceptional potential. The response was overwhelming, making the selection process highly competitive. Ultimately, the decision focused on those who exhibited the greatest dedication to their careers and alignment with FGASA’s standards of guiding excellence.

EcoTraining General Manager, Brett Heaseman, hands over the FGASA NQF4 learning materials to the Community Guide Candidates.

The selected candidates are now in EcoTraining’s camp, actively working towards their NQF4 qualification. Over the next six months, they will undergo rigorous skills development under the guidance of EcoTraining’s esteemed team of expert trainers.

We are proud to be part of this vital and exciting transformation initiative. With the support of CATHSSETA and the facilitation by EcoTraining, we are confident these guides will emerge as ambassadors for nature, setting the highest standards of guiding professionalism. Thank you to everyone involved in making this initiative happen, our team at FGASA who worked to secure the funding, CATHSSETA for your life changing contributions and to EcoTraining for putting your hand up to facilitate the training. When we work together, there is nothing we cannot achieve!