The Canadian Outdoor Leadership Register (CORL)

The OCC intends to build a register of Outdoor Practitioners holding certifications relating to outdoor activities. The certifications listed could be certifications delivered by other organizations, or certifications developed by the OCC.

The OCC will only develop a certification where:

either:   There is a demonstrated need for a certification that does not exist,

or:          Existing certifications fail to meet the criteria of being, ‘accessible’, ‘affordable’ and ‘appropriate’.

'Accessible'	means the course is readily available to those who need the certification given the resources those individuals have.
'Affordable'	means the direct and indirect costs borne by a student taking the course are not artificially inflated by the way in which the course is delivered.
'Appropriate'	means the course and certification contains the content required by the graduate to do the work certified, and does not contain excessive amounts of material that provide little additional utility in terms of doing the work certified.

The Canadian Outdoor Leadership Certification Initiative (COLCI)

In general, there is an excellent selection of skills courses available to outdoor leaders that meet the criteria of being ‘accessible, affordable and appropriate’.  However, the OCC has identified two general areas in which there is a great need for certifications not currently available. These areas are: ‘soft skills’ leadership, and entry level skills courses for land based activities. The OCC has launched the Canadian Outdoor Leadership Certification Initiative to fill in these gaps.

The ‘Leadership’ Program

The leadership program is a graduated program that guides leaders from their first experiences of leadership through to becoming the Risk Manager responsible for the design and implementation of the risk management plan for a sophisticated organization running a range of outdoor activities. There are three certifications as.

The ‘Leadership Level 1’ course is currently available from licensed providers. This course is designed for entry level leaders and can be delivered for different outdoor activities. There is a version for land-based activities (Hiking) and the ‘flat-water’ based (Water Environments) version will be available Spring 2012. Instructors have been certified through the ‘Leadership Level 1 Instructor’ Course. 

More information about the LL1 course objectives and process can be accessed here. More information about how the LL1 course relates to the skills modules can be found here. A document describing the scope of practice for LL1 (Hiking) leaders can be accessed here.

The ‘Leadership Level 2’ course is being developed. This course is designed for those preparing for a ‘middle management’ role for staff supervision, and the implementation and monitoring of a risk management plan developed by others. It will be delivered by accredited organizations, typically as part of a diploma or degree program.

The ‘Leadership Level 3’ program will be program to train experienced outdoor practitioners for the role of a risk manager for a medium to large organization. Graduates will be qualified to design, implement, and monitor a risk management plan for activities taking place in a complex risk environment.

Skills Modules

The Leadership Level 1 certification prepares new leaders for the leadership of others in one day activities in low risk environments. As these new leaders develop experience and expertise they can certify for leadership in more complex risk environments by taking additional certifications. In many cases these certifications will be provided by other agencies. Where accessible, affordable and appropriate certification is not available, the OCC will develop these certifications. Applicants for these courses must already hold a Leadership Level 1 certification. The following certifications are either under development or planned.

Winter Leadership Level 1. This course will train and certify Leadership Level 1 (Hiking) Leaders to lead day activities on foot, cross-country skis, or snow shoes, in non-avalanche terrain in a winter environment that otherwise conforms to Class 1 Hiking Terrain.

Navigation Level 1. This course will train and certify Leadership Level 1 (Hiking) Leaders to lead one day activities in areas that qualify as Class 1 Hiking Terrain in all respects except ‘Navigation’, in which case they can lead in areas for which the navigation dimension meets the criteria for Class 2 Terrain.

Overnight Leadership. This course will train and certify Leadership Level 1 Leaders to lead overnight activities into areas that qualify as Class 1 Hiking Terrain (land) or Water Environments. (Target availability: Fall 2012).

Additional modules will also be developed to prepare leaders to lead in areas that meet other criteria for Class 2 terrain including ‘distance’, ‘fall exposure’, ‘technical difficulty’, ‘Fresh Water (river crossing)’, ‘Tidal Water’, and ‘Weather Exposure’.

Information for Experienced Leaders

The new OCC courses will be covering areas of competency for which there was no prior certification. As a result there are many people who have these competencies and are successfully leading without any certification. It is essential that we not impede these people in their good work. We also are very keen to have them join us, have their competencies recognized by us, and help us train the next generation of leaders. If you are one of these leaders you will have a number of questions. You can find answers to some of these questions HERE.

If these answers don’t help, please feel free to contact Albi Sole at: 403-220-8638 or ed@outdoorcouncil.ca.