Environmental Hiking Guide (Nature Guide)

Environmental Hiking Guide (Nature Guide): Reference scheme

The reference scheme is based on the 'modelSkills Cycle' and is in line with the 'Tourism, Arts, Heritage Competence Framework (TAH-CF)'. the TAH-CF is defined in accordance with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF), the Recommendation of the European Parliament and of the Council 2009/C 155/02 (ECVET) and the APNR (Non-Regulated Professional Activities) scheme adopted by UNI for the technical standardization of unregulated professions.”

Description

PTU13/P9 : Environmental Hiking Guide (Nature Guide) (V Level EQF)

The Naturalistic Guide (Environmental Hiking Guide) is a professional figure with a high intellectual and specialized content, capable of accompanying individuals or groups in environments of natural interest, illustrating the naturalistic, anthropological and cultural aspects of the territory with scientific-cultural connotations.

The nature guide has specific skills to carry out activities of:

Conception, planning, organisation, communication, implementation and improvement relating to offers associated with itineraries of naturalistic and environmental interest.
Support for any environmental teaching and education activities, sustainability education and consultancy in naturalistic and environmental subjects.

Note: All activities and routes that require the use of mountaineering equipment and techniques are excluded from the professional scope of the naturalistic guide.

The Naturalistic Guide has a deep knowledge of its territory with particular reference to natural and environmental aspects in order to identify and prepare itineraries of naturalistic and environmental interest by organizing and carrying out excursions in maximum safety and with adequate equipment for hikers.

The Naturalistic Guide manages to reconcile the knowledge of the Cultural Heritage of its territory with naturalistic and environmental paths also in order to deepen the knowledge of local identity elements not only from the naturalistic point of view but also from the anthropic, historical and cultural point of view.

The Naturalistic Guide (Environmental Hiking Guide) can carry out the activities both on their own (self-employed work) and for other interested parties as an Expert / Consultant

Standards of Reference

European Qualification Framework (EQF)
Recommendation 2009 / C 155/02 (European Credit System for Vocational Education and Training - ECVET)
Law 4/2013 relating to non-regulated professions

Specific tasks and activities

Note: Here we do not take into consideration specialist tasks and activities which could fall within other professional profiles which could be defined as "neighbouring" that of the Naturalistic Guide and which concern other sectors (cycle tourism, horse-riding tourism, aquatic tourism, underwater tourism, speleological , etc.) or be considered "integrative" specializations such as Environmental Educator or Naturalistic Interpreter.

In order to take into account, in the assignment of tasks, the following distinction was made:

Fundamental tasks: indispensable tasks for the professional figure
Optional tasks: additional tasks to the fundamentals which are at the discretion of the individual naturalistic guide

The individual tasks can possibly be described by a set of specific activities associated with them.

The specific tasks and activities are listed below, associating the knowledge, skills and competence requirements for each specific task or activity.

Fundamental tasks and specific activities

T1: Assess user needs and expectations for the reference sector (demand)
T2: Identify the purpose, objectives and type of offer (e.g. classic nature trails, educational tours, environmental thematic routes, etc.)
T3: Analyze the Reference Context
- 1 Identify and analyze the sector legislation
- 2 Identify and analyze the stakeholders (who are the interested parties: internal / external)
- 3 Identify and Analyze the attractions (Cultural, Natural and Environmental Heritage)
T4: Design the Offer
T5: Communicate the offer
T6: Make the offer
- 1: Plan activities from a qualitative, operational and risk prevention point of view
- 2: Define internal procedures and regulations
- 3: Manage economic resources (budget)
- 4: Manage human resources (staff)
- 5: Safely guide the group along the pre-established itinerary
- 6: Ensure the correct execution of excursions
- 7: Support any Environmental Education activities
- 8: Verify and monitor compliance with the applicable legislation in force
- 9: Monitor service quality
T7: Improve the offering (continuous improvement)

Optional tasks

T8: Carry out first aid yourself in the event of accidents or illness
T9: Interfacing in a foreign language according to the territorial target of reference of its customers

Note: The optional aspect T8 is linked to the presence, in the team of excursion leaders, of a figure in possession of the skills to carry out first aid interventions in the event of accidents or illness (skills demonstrated by possession of the certificate issued following the attendance of a BLS first aid course provided by authorized bodies). If the Naturalistic Guide is the only member of the accompanying team, task T8 becomes mandatory.

The competence of the T9 task can also be made available by other members of the accompanying team if required by the user.

Skills, Knowledge and Autonomy and Responsibility (Skills)

Note: The competences necessary for a profession, which include skills and knowledge, constitute a dynamic whole. These may vary depending on specific territorial contexts and are subject to changes over time due to factors such as technological evolution or other sectoral developments. Therefore, the examples of skills and knowledge presented here are to be considered purely indicative and not exhaustive, and will be subjected to constant revisions and updates.

The specific tasks and activities are listed below, associating, for each specific task or activity, the requirements of knowledge, skills and competences. Finally, a summary correlation matrix will be indicated in order to provide a synthetic and overall representation of the above.

Task T1: Assess the needs and expectations of users for the reference sector (demand)

Ability

SQ1: Analysis skills
SQ2: Ability to synthesize
SQ10: Analyzing the explicit, implicit and binding requirements of users
SP15: Analyze sector demand and apply Territorial Tourism Marketing tools

Additional required knowledge:

KQ2: Quality Management - Factors, indicators and standards of quality in services
KQ22: Quality Management - Factors (dimensions) and quality indicators
KS6: Nature Tourism
KS29: Tourism Marketing
KQ33: Quality Management - Stakeholder Requirements Analysis

Task T2: Identify the purpose, objectives and type of the offer

Ability

SP71: Identify and classify the various types of excursions

Additional required knowledge:

KS190: Naturalist-environmental itineraries (classification and basic concepts)
KS191: Characteristics of the excursions

Task T3: Analyze the Reference Context

Activity: T3.1 Identify and analyze sector regulations

Ability

SQ1: Analysis skills
SP1: Identify and evaluate the applicability of the rules for the protection and use of the Cultural and Landscape Heritage
SP2: Identify and evaluate the applicability of the legislation on safety in the workplace with relevance to its reference sector
SP4: Identify and evaluate the applicability of the Legislation regarding permits and authorizations for excursions

Additional required knowledge:

KS39: The legislation for the protection and use of Cultural Heritage
KS40: The criteria for the protection of cultural heritage
KS41: The various levels of protection
KS43: Landscape assets
KS47: The legislation on privacy and the tourism sector
KS48: The European Regulation 2016/679
KS49: The legislation on safety in the workplace in the tourism sector
KS52: Consumer protection legislation
KT22: Law on civil and criminal liability
KS106: Tourism Legislation

Activity: T3.2 Identify and analyze the stakeholders (who are the interested parties: internal / external)

Ability

SQ1: Analysis skills
SP24: Identify the Strategic Stakeholders

Additional required knowledge:

KS27: Local tourism systems
KS28: Institutions and tourism promotion
KS24: Destination Management Organization (DMO)
KS92: Supervisory and protection bodies
KTN12: The environmental protection and surveillance bodies
KS233: INFEA National System,

Activity: T3.3 Identify and Analyze attractions (Natural and Environmental Heritage)

Ability

SQ1: Analysis skills
SP30: Analyze and relate the Naturalistic Heritage
SP72: Know and analyze the anthropic context of one's own territory
SP74: Know and analyze the endogenous cultural attractions of one's own territory
SP75: Know and analyze induced attractions

Note:

The attractions are in this context divided into:

Endogenous attractions: natural attractions (mountains, lakes, beaches, rivers, climate, etc.) or cultural attractions (cuisine, crafts, language, habits and customs, monuments, historical facts, etc.)
Induced attractions: tourist infrastructures, special events, recreational and sporting activities, etc.

Additional required knowledge:

KS3: Nature Tourism
KTN: The Naturalistic Heritage
KTN1: Protected Natural Areas
KTN2: Parks and Nature Reserves
KTN3: Nature reserves
KTN4: Natura 2000 network
KTN5: Sites of Community Interest (SIC)
KTN6: Special Protection Areas (SPAs)
KTN7: Special Areas of Conservation (SAC)
KTN8: The Wetlands
KTN9: The Geosites
KTN10: Management tools for protected natural areas
KTN11: Landscape Plans
KTN13: Strategies for Biodiversity
KS191: Anthropic geography
KS194: Local cultural endogenous attractions
KS196: Induced territorial attractions

Task T4: Design the offer

Identify and configure the excursion (naturalistic and/or educational routes) and any additional support services to the basic offer (e.g. group entertainment, teaching, accommodation, refreshment, supply of support materials, educational and information brochures, etc.)

Ability

SQ1: Analysis skills
SQ11 Design processes and services
SQ12: Implement, document and classify core processes
SQ14: Propose process changes to facilitate and rationalize improvements
SQ18: Identify, understand and evaluate quality factors, indicators and standards
SP17: Contribute to the development of the offer
SP76: Analyze the Physical Geographical Context of the Territory
SP85: Analyze the Botanical, Zoological and Anthropic Context of the Territory

Additional required knowledge:

KQ1: Quality Management - The UNI EN ISO 9001 standard
KQ22: Quality Management - Factors (dimensions) and quality indicators
KQ11: Quality Management - Design and development;
KS197: Excursion planning
KS191: Physical geography (knowledge and basic concepts)
KS198: Support services to the basic offer
KS99 Risk Management
KS199: Organizational techniques and methodologies for hiking routes
KS200: Theories and techniques for drafting an itinerary
KS201: Cartography, Topography and orientation techniques
KS202: Paths and Signage
KS203: Hiking Theories and Techniques
KS204:The objective risks of hiking and personal protection
KS205: Elements of Meteorology and Climatology
KS206: Competent services and authorities in the event of accidents or sudden illnesses
KS208: Notions of Botany, Zoology and Anthropic Geography of the reference territory
KT5: Basic IT and telematic tools
KT16: Corporate Organizational Models
KS254: Reference technical standards – UNI ISO 20611, UNI ISO 21101, ISO 21102, ISO/CD 3021

Task T5: Communicate the offer

Ability

SP8: Develop a Communication Plan for the reference sector
SP11: Identify the web technologies to be used for tourism marketing
ST1: Ability to communicate
ST6: Identify and apply IT tools for communication

Additional required knowledge:

KQ34: Quality Management - Internal and external communication
KS30: Tourism and Communication
KS31: The Communication Plan
KS32: Online Marketing and Promotion
KS33: Web Marketing Techniques
KS34: Social Marketing
KS35: Online Travel Agencies (OTAs)
KS100: Information technology for communication

Task T6: Make the offer

Activities: T6.1: Plan activities from a qualitative, operational and risk prevention point of view

Ability

SQ5: Ability to plan hiking itineraries based on the type of group receiving the service and the pre-established time
SP40: Know how to verify the usability of the route
SP81: Ability to identify equipment and equipment and evaluate their adequacy

Additional required knowledge:

KQ7: Quality Management - Planning and monitoring of the service
KQ8: Quality Management - The procurement system
KS209: Hiking equipment and equipment (classification, management and maintenance)

Activity: T6.2: Define internal procedures and regulations

Ability

SQ3: Organizational skills
SQ13: Implementing Procedures and Operating Instructions for Quality

Additional required knowledge:

KQ4: Quality Management - System Documentation; the Manual; Procedures and Operating Instructions;
KS101: Basic IT and Telematics

Activity: T6.3: Manage economic resources (budget)

Ability

ST9: Use corporate accounting and administration tools

Additional required knowledge:

KQ8: Quality Management - The procurement system
KS103: Business Administration
KT9: Business administration and accounting tools

Activity: T6.4: Coordinate human resources (staff)

Ability

SQ9: Identify skills gaps for quality
SP18: Identify skills and competences gaps for the reference sector
ST2: Group management skills
ST3: Conflict management skills

Additional required knowledge:

KQ5: Quality Management - The management of human resources
KS104: Communication and Conflict Management
KS105: Communication styles and effective communication
KT13: Contracts

T6.5: Safely guide the group along the pre-established itinerary

Ability

ST1: Ability to communicate also in relation to the different characteristics, types and expectations of customers
ST2: Ability to manage and lead the group even in the event of unexpected events
ST3: Conflict management skills
SP78: Ability to identify and manage the objective risks of hiking
SP80: Ability to evaluate users' psychophysical abilities
SP81: Ability to identify equipment and equipment and evaluate their adequacy
SP83: Ability to recognize and manage risk depending on the type of customer depending on the context
SP87: Ability to organize rescue with the competent and available services in the area

Additional required knowledge:

KT1: Communication
KT2: Group management techniques
KT3: Conflict Management Techniques
KT24: Elements of Leadership and Group Psychology
KS99 Risk Management
KS204: The objective risks of hiking and personal protection
KS205: Elements of meteorology and climatology (aimed at understanding potentially dangerous situations and safety behaviours)
KS206: Competent services and authorities in the event of accidents or sudden illnesses
KS210: Elements of Ethology (Behavioral Biology)
KS254: Reference technical standards – UNI ISO 20611, UNI ISO 21101, ISO 21102, ISO/CD 3021

T6.6: Ensure the correct conduct of excursions

Ability

SQ4: Ability to control
SP37: Know how to plan and coordinate the maintenance of equipment and equipment
SP77: Know how to use organizational techniques and methodologies for hiking routes
SP79: Ability to use knowledge of cartography, topography and orientation
ST21: Ability to respect deadlines and programmes
SP82: Ability to rationally adapt and modify the route based on unexpected events
SP86: Ability to relate and inform in relation to the context of the itineraries

Additional required knowledge:

KQ6: Quality Management – Logistic resources: equipment and working environment
KQ9: Quality Management - Production and provision of the service;
KQ10: Quality Management - Identification and traceability;
KS1: Logistics
KS199: Organizational techniques and methodologies for hiking trails
KS200: Theories and techniques for drafting an itinerary
KS201: Cartography, Topography and orientation techniques
KS202: Paths and Signage
KS203: Hiking Theories and Techniques
KS208: Notions of Botany, Zoology and Anthropic Geography of the reference territory
KS210: Elements of Ethology (Behavioral Biology)
KS212: Elements of Environmental Interpretation
KS213: Elements of Environmental Education and Sustainability
KS214: Elements of Ecology and Biodiversity
KS224: Principles of environmental education
KS254: Reference technical standards – UNI ISO 20611, UNI ISO 21101, ISO 21102, ISO/CD 3021

T6.7: Support any Environmental Education activities

Ability

SP46: Maintain and manage educational/information paths in the reference sector

Additional required knowledge:

KS211: Elements of Naturalistic Disclosure
KS208: Notions of Botany, Zoology and Anthropic Geography of the reference territory
KS210: Elements of Ethology (Behavioral Biology)
KS212: Elements of Environmental Interpretation
KS213: Elements of Environmental Education and Sustainability
KS214: Elements of Ecology and Biodiversity

T6.8: Verify and check compliance with applicable legislation in force

Ability

SQ4: Ability to control
SP2: Check the correct application of the safety regulations in the workplace
SP4: Verify the correct application of the Tourism Legislation
SP42: Verify the correct application of the legislation on privacy

Additional required knowledge:

KS47: The legislation on privacy and the tourism sector
KS49: The legislation on safety in the workplace
KS52: Consumer protection legislation
KS106: Tourism Legislation
KT20: Waste disposal regulation

T6.9: Monitor service quality

Ability

SQ20: Apply monitoring methodologies and techniques
SQ21: Apply Customer Satisfaction methodologies and techniques
SQ22: Monitor and Evaluate the provision of services

Additional required knowledge:

KQ13: Quality Management - Monitoring and measurement of processes and services
KQ14: Quality Management - The Management of Non-Conformities and Corrective Actions
KQ15: Quality Management - Evaluation of the quality of services

T7: Improve the offering (continuous improvement)

Ability

SQ14: Propose process changes to facilitate and rationalize improvements
SQ16: Evaluate and analyze individual processes to identify corrective and improvement actions

Additional required knowledge:

KQ35: Quality Management - Continuous Improvement

Optional tasks

Task T8: Carry out first aid in the event of accidents or illness

Ability

SP84: Apply basic first aid techniques in self-control

Additional required knowledge:

KS206: Competent services and authorities in the event of accidents or sudden illnesses
KS207: First aid notions and techniques in a hiking context (traumas, illnesses, insect or animal bites, burns)
KT23: Standard Basic Life Support (BLS)

Task T9: Interfacing in a foreign language according to the territorial target of reference of its customers

Ability

ST8 Use foreign languages in the workplace according to the territorial target of reference of its customers

Additional required knowledge:

KS113: At least one foreign language in relation to the territorial target of reference of its customers

Profile Evaluation Criteria

To certify the possession of skills, it is proposed to take into consideration methodologies that take into account the following aspects in a non-mutually exclusive manner, i.e. possibly in combination with each other:

Qualifications awarded in the academic field (Formal Learning)
Specific Training (Non-Formal Learning)
Work or Professional Experience (Informal Learning)

Work or professional experience can be demonstrated through various tools including:

Curriculum Vitae
Professional portfolio
Objective placement on the market (awards, regional, national or international recognition)

Requirements for access to the professional figure

Since the professional figure is not organized in an order or college, the requirements may vary based on the relevant Professional Association or other criteria established by the individual interested parties. Below are the requirements adopted by AITOC - Italian Association of Tourism Professionals and Cultural Operators.

Reference diagram: Environmental Hiking Guide (Nature Guide)

Having attended specific training courses for the professional figure in question organized/recognised by Universities, Regions or professional associations established pursuant to law 4/2013 and recognized by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMI ex MISE) and have given evidence of experience in the field that can be demonstrated by: at least three continuous months, including non-continuous, of operational training with six support activities with Naturalistic Guides recognized by an Association pursuant to Law 4/2013, from a region where this figure has previously been regulated, Guides FIE and CAI or through operational evidence proven by at least eight excursions in full autonomy in the capacity of GAE.

Having attended a specific training course whose contents and methods of evaluation comply with this standard and we have given evidence of experience in the field which can be demonstrated by: at least 3 shadowing activities with Naturalistic Guides recognized by an Association pursuant to Law 4/2013, from a region where this figure has previously been regulated, FIE and CAI Guides or through operational evidence proven by at least eight excursions in full autonomy in the capacity of GAE.

Having attended a specific training course whose contents are specified by UNI standards, where existing, as long as they are consistent with the competence in question and we have given evidence of experience in the field which can be demonstrated by: at least three continuous months, including non-continuous, of operational training with six coaching activities with Naturalistic Guides recognized by an Association pursuant to Law 4/2013, from a region where this figure has previously been regulated, FIE and CAI Guides or through operational evidence proven by at least eight excursions in full autonomy in the quality of GAE.

Be included in the Registers of Professional Associations established pursuant to law 4/2013 and recognized by the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MIMI ex MISE) as long as they refer to the professional figure in question and have obtained a Certificate of Quality and Professional Qualification pursuant to of law 4/2013

Be included in Regional Registers/Lists where this figure has previously been regulated by regional legislation.

Degree in Natural Sciences or equivalent, at least one year, even if not continuous, of proven work or professional experience as a nature guide and having passed a specific exam aimed at evaluating the knowledge, skills and competences required by this standard.

At least 3 years of proven work or professional experience as a nature guide and having passed a specific exam aimed at evaluating the knowledge, skills and competences required by this standard.

Be professionals falling within one of the "recognized figures" (list A) and have attended a specific training course whose contents complete the knowledge required by this standard and not yet possessed by such professionals (supplementary course).

List “A”: recognized figures:

- Environmental Educator
- Naturalistic Interpreter
- Cycle Tourist Guide
- Equestrian guide
- Diving Guide
- Speleological Guide
- River Guide
- Fishing Guide
- Volunteer Ecological Guard (GEV)
- GAV Volunteer Environmental Guards
- Naturalistic Tourism Operator
- Sustainable Tourism Operator
- Sectional Hiking Guides (CAI)
- Tourist Guide
- Tourist guide
- Volunteer Hiking Leader – AEV (Federtrek)

Note 1: The Certificate of Quality and Professional Qualification issued has no relevance, pursuant to paragraph 6 of article 2 of law 4/2013, with any activities regulated by law which remain within the scope of the qualifications provided for by current legislation .

The following registers are also recognized:

FIE: AEN (National Hiking Guide), AEr, (Regional Hiking Guide) and INE (National Hiking Instructor) of the Italian Hiking Federation (FIE)
CAI: Hiking Guide (AE) and National Hiking Guide (ANE)

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