Paddle Northern Ireland recognises that many learners (aspirant instructors, coaches, leaders and providers) , and those wishing to transfer from other awards systems or other countries, may bring relevant experiences and qualifications to their role from other sports, work and qualifications. We aim to recognise your experience through the Accredited Prior Learning (APL) service allowing you to access your development pathway at the most appropriate point to you.
An application for Accreditation of Prior Learning can:
• Consider other nationally and internationally recognised professional awards.
• Recognise training and assessment schemes other than British Canoeing Awarding Body’s
In some instances aspirant coaches or coaches progressing to new qualifications will have prior experience that may enable them to progress to a higher level with holding all of the stated prerequisites.
If you feel you have experience that can be accredited as prior experience refer to the Accredited Prior Learning (APL) notes below. APL is used mainly to allow coaches access to a British Canoeing training or assessment course where they do not hold the specific prerequisite for that award or role but hold something else equitable. APL cannot be used to gain an award without successfully completing an assessment.
The APL Service is free to members, £25 for non-members, and will consider other nationally recognised, professional awards, where they are identifiable as being of equal or higher standard.
The APL process has recently been reviewed and updated to provide candidates with a quicker response and enable them to progress their coaching qualifications. Each National Association will make a decision based on the evidence supplied.
How to apply:
To apply for APL please log in to the JustGo Membership system and complete the application. Click here for instructions.
Your application form must provide a clear description of what you want to achieve and how you have met the requirements through other training, assessment or qualifications.
References are no longer compulsory for your application but you may find that a Referee could help your application. Referees can provide evidence of your experience. They can also help give context to awards or qualifications you have gained outside of the UK and be particularly useful if the qualification was written in other languages.
