New Guide Certification Guidelines

The SFI course is not mandatory, I see it for what it is...a fund raiser for SFI...and maybe a good idea for those who have nothing right now. Serengeti we were told by our SVOP instructor this was a change coming next year. As a ML is a higher level of training I would assume that it exceeds SVOP. If you have a ML right now you are legal up to 60 gross tons, right?
 
Unknown X2...and once everyone is caught up to todays requirements..it could be that SFI working with TC will ensure that future TC training requirements will be industry specific.
 
Hey if the SFI want to put in an industry course then fill your boots. I simply say, don't expect those of us who already had the foresight and expense to comply before TC started enforcement to take this course. Zero interest for me in re doing a set of courses that I already have...not to mention I don't want to be sent to charm school (not that I couldn't use a little more charm). So, I'm very glad to hear this isn't a mandatory course.

What I desperately think we need however is a way to ensure there is a high level of enforcement that assures compliance. Right now there is no risk to operators who simply don't care enough about doing it right...they would rather fly under the wire with minimal investment in safety and equipment, and haven't an ethical bone in their body.
 
x2 sort of what i've been trying to get across but searun does it in a much nicer manner....maybe I need charm school as well.



quote:Originally posted by searun

Hey if the SFI want to put in an industry course then fill your boots. I simply say, don't expect those of us who already had the foresight and expense to comply before TC started enforcement to take this course. Zero interest for me in re doing a set of courses that I already have...not to mention I don't want to be sent to charm school (not that I couldn't use a little more charm). So, I'm very glad to hear this isn't a mandatory course.

What I desperately think we need however is a way to ensure there is a high level of enforcement that assures compliance. Right now there is no risk to operators who simply don't care enough about doing it right...they would rather fly under the wire with minimal investment in safety and equipment, and haven't an ethical bone in their body.

www.coastwidesportsfishing.com

http://ca.video.yahoo.com/watch/4726988?fr=yvmtf
 
1st of all, this is an "apprenticeship training program", i think it is a great idea for people starting out and those with none of the now mandatory courses, meda3,svop,and roc.. unknown is right on in his assessment, people take the time to understand what it is all about, we had nothing like this when we started out, i agree there is no replacement for experience, but this seems like the best idea so far for the newbies, god knows, i've seen it all guiding a the lodges over the years and as far as i'm concerned this is a great thing. check out the tourism bc site and you will see it is not meant for those now fully qualified experienced guides.
http://www.go2hr.ca/Apprenticeshipb...otProgramBackgrounder/tabid/2013/Default.aspx
http://www.go2hr.ca/ApprenticeshipbrTraining/TidalAnglingGuideProgram/tabid/2012/Default.aspx
unknownx3
cheers ferret
 
so you think someone should what, fish for 20 years,and then be qualified as a guide? lots of people fish for years and know nothing (or not much) others learn quickly. i think this is a great starting point for people interested in joining the industry, if we have one in the future, now that's another topic.
cheers ferret.
 
quote:Originally posted by LastChance

I thought the point of a guide was someone who has been a fisherman for a long time, and learned everything he needs to know?

Last Chance Fishing Adventures

www.lastchancefishingadventures.com
www.swiftsurebank.com

$#!t, I hope not or else i'm screwed. Started guiding when I was 16, now 21, and I know I learn something new every year. My old man who taught me everything I know (still kicking his butt :D:D) and has been guiding longer than I have been alive learns something new all the time as well...I don't think anyone can attest to knowing everything. The biggest thing I learned this summer was being able to spot trends to attempt to figure out where the best fishing would be on a certain day pertaining to the conditions.

www.serengetifishingcharters.com

*NEW VIDEO*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlEzuNC59ck
 
quote:Originally posted by LastChance

I thought the point of a guide was someone who has been a fisherman for a long time, and learned everything he needs to know?

Last Chance Fishing Adventures

www.lastchancefishingadventures.com
www.swiftsurebank.com

I think L.C. is referring to the practical (hands on) part of the trade that you can't get from going to school and taking courses.
I agree that guides should have an adequate level of medical training
and power squadron training, but you can't pick up everything
most importantly the fishing skills by taking a course.
Just my opinion...
 
Yep, "sperience" is better than most training courses for sure, but there does need to be a level of professional training to ensure safe operation of a commercial vessel. Biggest thing is none of this is any good if there is no way to keep everyone honest. The good guy honor system isn't working and someone is going to get killed while we dance around fooling ourselves. Like it or not, the sea is a dangerous place and can turn on even to most experienced operator. Situations like that can come up quickly and if a guy has good training it may kick in and save the day in a sticky situation.
 
I think you guys are missing the point, the TAG program, from what I can see, is not about educating you, it's about marketing you.

You want to stand out and be recognized as the Professionals you are.

And that includes having some form of licensing or certification so the guy sitting in Toronto or New York can look at your ad or website and have confidence that he is booking with a safe qualified skipper, not Harry from down the street who guides on the weekends to make the boat payment.

The Medical/First Aid, TC inspections, etc are things that you already have, or should have, anyway.

As for success as a fish catcher, you're still on your own, but maybe they'll have enough info in the charm school section that you can keep the customer happy on those rare fishless days.
 
O.K. so lets just say this a good idea.
It's only a small part and has to do with the individual and yes...probably a good start for the youth that want into the business.
What sort of responsibility is Tourism BC, SFI, etc going to take if they promote a fella thats got all the courses but his business and vessel are not properly insured nor has the vessel been inspected.
just food for thought as I think if your going to promote the hell out of this...you had better make sure what your promoting is the real goods and completely legit.
What I can see happening is that once you have this course...The above groups are going to ask for advertising dollars to future promote your business or else. The advertising will never be on a level playing field amoungst businesses so if you want the little course sticker and the best position in the brochure....pay up.
One more thing...
"The standards have now been fully developed and validated by industry representatives."
The quote above came from the go2 weblink. I would personally like a list of these "industry representatives" to make sure they are all valid...seems fair I think.
I bet if you got a list of all parties involved alot of you would be suprised.
just my 2 cents.


www.coastwidesportsfishing.com

http://ca.video.yahoo.com/watch/4726988?fr=yvmtf
 
I'm not convinced that all the training will ever work as an effective marketing tool. It should be an important decision making factor for any person hiring a skipper and boat. Unfortunately if the person has no referrals it more often or not be price that dictates who he or she chooses. When the GST first was introduced many new calls asked...do you charge GST on top of your posted rates? Never are you a licensed or fully qualified operator. Next summer (after July1) I'm sure the tax question will be right up there again, the phone calls will go something like...are you available on...how much do you charge and do you charge the taxes? When you say yes you have to charge the tax...click! I don't know how many times in 23 years the caller never got to asking if there were any fish being caught before hanging up over price. lol
 
SVOP and Commercial radio are mandatory, your present radio licence may not be valid as it is not 'commercial'
Guide training portion of course is not mandatory and can be challenged.
 
quote:I'm not convinced that all the training will ever work as an effective marketing tool
X2 - I've hired many guides and worked as one and not once have I ever had the issue of safety or certification come up.

Like profisher said, customers don't care about a sticker, they care about price, the boat, the fish and the weather.

http://www.fishingvancouverisland.org - Win an 8-Hour WCVI Charter!
 
Sorry, but the radio course is the same. So if you have your license already, you are good to go. The current course is geared towards teaching proper radio communication for all VHF operators.
 
quote:Originally posted by searun

Sorry, but the radio course is the same. So if you have your license already, you are good to go. The current course is geared towards teaching proper radio communication for all VHF operators.

No, there are two radio courses, marine and commercial, if you are to guide you need your commercial. I eventually ended up taking both as I took the marine one first before I started guiding full time, and then had to take the commercial one afterwards.

www.serengetifishingcharters.com

*NEW VIDEO*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlEzuNC59ck
 
Attended Campbell River Guides Assc. meeting Tues. night. Guides who have already taken complete course were in attendance. Comments re: commercial radio course, 3 days to cover, overkill for our application.
Was determined this was a trial run for this course. Content may be altered over time.
Guides assc. is drafting letter to determine guidelines and definition of intent as to course content.
 
Fellas

I just took a few courses last year, Quick Nav , Granville Island ,Pleasure Craft Operator Card ,MEDA3 , SVOP , and one of them being " Maritime Radio Course " Is this not " Commercial " was pretty in depth , can't see Guides needing more than this , or am i missing somthing , Have the Workbooks in my hand , does not say " Commercial " 7 or 8 days of classes if i remember correct , a little over kill in total , but alot of great info , forgotten a bit of it now[:o)] , overall a good experience , I highly recommend it ,little pricy,need to skip some work as well,, take care,,,FD...;)

kosi99@hotmail.com

IMG_3509.jpg
 
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