FISHINGS
Instructor Qualifications?
backArticle By Ian Moutter
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I hear a lot of people saying they are confused with regard to what the various game angling instructor qualifications are:- APGAI, AAPGAI, GAIA, GAIC, STANIC, Level 2 CCA all appearing to be designed to confuse the general public. Who should I use? who gives the best instruction? are legitimate questions. The following article is designed to at least cast some light upon the situation and to present the facts as they are.
As a professional game angling instructor I am conscious that the "industry" (for want of a better word) is responsible for creating what is often perceived, by the general public and anglers alike, as a confused and complicated picture regarding what qualifications are relevant to their needs. There is an absurdity that such is the case in something as simple as fishing.
Needless to say, as in most human endeavour, self and diverse interests conspire to make that which should be straightforward into something that is anything but. Arthur Ransome's comment along the lines of "I have nothing against competition in fishing except what it does to those taking part" could be applied to my view of "official" qualifications in game angling. In such that I have nothing against such qualifications, far from it, but I am at times disappointed in how such qualifications effect some individuals. It is this effect that is principally responsible for any perceived confusion. To assist in understanding, the history of game angling instruction needs, at least for the greater extent, to be put to the side, else this article would become longer than anyone would wish.
In the UK today there are various qualifications, they are:- APGAI, GAIC, STANIC, SGAIC, Level 1 CCA, Level 2 CCA and AAPGAI qualifications. We will start with the most recently introduced the Level 1 CCA and Level 2 CCA.
Level 1 & Level 2 CCA - These qualifications have been introduced in the last few years in line with Government Policy. Level 1 CCA is the entry level qualification and is the first step towards becoming a fully qualified game angling coach/instructor. Level 1 CCA allows those qualified to act as assistants to qualified instructors. The Level 2 CCA is the 1st level of qualified coach/instructor. The assessment of the candidate's ability to teach and demonstrate the technical skills required, is set at a level equivalent to that of STANIC and SGAIC (see below). Please Note - At sometime in the not too distant future Government appears to require that the Level 2 CCA will have no technical assessment at all. Put simply this means no assessment of their ability to demonstrate, teach or understand the mechanics of casting will be required. If this becomes the case it is, I believe, important to check that your instructor/coach is a member of an organisation that requires technical assessment such as The Game Angling Instructors Association The Professional Body for Game Angling Instructors in the UK.
STANIC & SGAIC - The Salmon and Trout Association National Instructors Certificate and Scottish Game Angling Instructors Certificate were, up until the introduction of Level 2 CCA, the first level of qualified instructor in the UK. These qualifications were no longer issued on the introduction of Level 2, they are, however, still recognised and holders can become members of the Game Angling Instructors Association. Holders can also apply to take the APGAI examinations.
GAIC - The Game Angling Instructors Certificate is the 1st level of qualified instructor that ensures the holder has undertaken a technical assessment of their individual skills and has attained the required standard. The qualification is owned and administered by The Game Angling Instructors Association. GAIC has been set at the same assessment level as STANIC, SGAIC and the current technical section of Level 2 CCA. Holders of the Level 2 CCA, who have undertaken a full technical assessment, automatically become holders of the GAIC qualification. In the future it may be wise to check that your Level 2 CCA coach/instructor holds the GAIC qualification, or the equivalent, to ensure their knowledge and ability to teach, demonstrate and explain the technicalities of casting have been assessed to a recognised standard. Please note that currently all Level 2 CCA in England, Wales and Ireland have been assessed to the GAIC standard.
APGAI - The Advanced Professional Game Angling Instructors qualification owned and administered by The Game Angling Instructors Association. APGAI has set the standard for advanced level instructors since the 1960's. It is a requirement that those applying to take the APGAI qualifications must already be qualified in one of the following:- STANIC, SGAIC or Level 2 CCA (with technical assessment) for a minimum period of one year and that qualification be in the discipline they are applying to undertake. The technical assessmnet requirements for APGAI are demanding.
The above qualifications can be undertaken in the disciplines of Trout & Sea Trout, Salmon and Fly Dressing excepting the Level 1 & Level 2 CCA which are available in Trout and Salmon disciplines only.
I hope the above helps to clarify the position, however, as ever in fishing organisation nothing is quite as simple as it seems. In 2003, at an GAIA APGAI meeting at Builth Wells in Wales, I proposed the formation of AAPGAI. The purpose behind this proposal was to allow the holders of the APGAI qualification to come together under the umbrella of GAIA and to provide an assessment resource for the professional body. Unfortunately, some members used this to form a breakaway association AAPGAI. AAPGAI now issue their own qualifications.