BHS Vs UKCC

S

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hi everyone

just thought id see what your views are on the 2 different types of qualification available....
1.are UKCC qualifications going to be as highly recognised as BHS?
2. which would you rather have?
(just to get things going)...
 
From what I know about it, don't you have to do your Stage 1 and Stage 2 first anyway before you get onto the UKCC training scheme? So that when you apply for the PTT, you get the option of which scheme to use.

Having seen what will be asked for the training exam (the equivalent to the PTT) I much prefer it as you're actually being examined on teaching to what's in front of you rather than what the BHS syllabus says you have to teach. The feedback from the riders is also a good elment too.

I like the idea (know someone about to start it) and it certainly opens up the choice of which route to take. Be interested to see the uptake of it though compared to the BHS exams as they I think will always be up there as the given qualification. Saying that, the BHS really needs to move forward a bit.

Oh and cost will be a huge factor in what route people take, seeing as the current PTT cost (08 fee) is £190
 
i do agree that BHS is starting to become a little dated perhaps - but as you say - they have been here all the time and everyone is familiar with them... will be interesting i must admit...
 
Sorry to hijack post - where can I find from info on UKCC? I was taking my BHS stages but after the examiner informed me that my ideas on feeding equaled abuse (I won't feed my mare the recommended amount as I want to live) I started doing NVQs instead which are much better - as long as you can state why you do something in a particular way and it's safe you don't fail.
Oddly enough I've got the BHS magazine next to me at the mo with a top instructor stating that there is no such thing as the BHS way. Yeah. Right....
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UKCC is a non-sport specific qualification so you still need your BHS exams to be an instructor (or ABRS). UKCC is a coaching qualification.
You can take UKCC through:
Pony Club
http://pcuk.mcs01.community.net.uk/output/training/PCUKCCleafletMarch07.pdf

BHS:
http://www.bhs.org.uk/Content/Ods-More.asp?id=8868&pg=Information&spg=Home&area=9

British Dressage:
http://www.britishdressage.co.uk/training_and_judging/regional_trainers_club

BSJA:
http://www.bsja.co.uk/uk-coaching-certificate.cfm

MORE on UKCC for Equestrian Sports in general on here:
http://www.bef.co.uk/Downloads/BEF_UKCC.pdf
 
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I started doing NVQs instead which are much better - as long as you can state why you do something in a particular way and it's safe you don't fail.
Oddly enough I've got the BHS magazine next to me at the mo with a top instructor stating that there is no such thing as the BHS way. Yeah. Right....
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You might think they're better - but most employers don't rate them anywhere near as highly as BHS exams (and some of us don't rate THEM THAT highly!)

But there isn't a STRICT BHS way - when I did AI MANY years ago, I did up and took off NZ rugs the 'wrong' way. I argued my case (on the strength of looking after 70 odd horses living out in NZ rugs!) and it was accepted (hell, I think it's recommended now!)
 
i think BHS has become stuck in a time warp somewhat i have to admit!!! i like the idea of a new coaching scheme coming in - especially if its going to focus training on once specific shpere
 
Well, I have run BHS courses...and NVQ courses...and although we all pretend that NVQ are great.....they are secretly known by colleges and yards as Not Very Qualified....and worth virtually nothing.
NVQ Level 1 is reserved for those who would not achieve NVQ Level 2....so can be seen as a certificate of incompetence....sorry, but it's true
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And the BHS is changing...there isn't really the BHS way when it comes to feeding. I'd take a deep breath and do the BHS Stage 1 again, if I were you, rather than waste time doing NVQs.
What did you tell the examiner you'd feed, just out of curiosity?
S
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Well, I have run BHS courses...and NVQ courses...and although we all pretend that NVQ are great.....they are secretly known by colleges and yards as Not Very Qualified....and worth virtually nothing.
NVQ Level 1 is reserved for those who would not achieve NVQ Level 2....so can be seen as a certificate of incompetence....sorry, but it's true
frown.gif

And the BHS is changing...there isn't really the BHS way when it comes to feeding. I'd take a deep breath and do the BHS Stage 1 again, if I were you, rather than waste time doing NVQs.
What did you tell the examiner you'd feed, just out of curiosity?
S
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This was for the 2, I've done stage 1 already. She was asking about feeding amounts and why they should be fed. The horse she pointed to was being ridden, was a 16.1 + gelding which was bucking and spooking all round the school. I said for his size and workload he should be on blah, but depending on his temperament I might make it a bit less hard feed. When she asked why I said if I didn't know a horse I would never feed it the full amount until I knew what it's temperament was like to avoid accidents etc so she asked what I fed my horse. If I feed my mare what the manufacturers say I would be in plaster now - she is worked everyday and it fit but she only has an offering of hard feed the rest is hay or she goes nuts. She then said it was abuse to expect a horse to work when not being fed properly
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After this about ten minutes later she asked us what yards we work at - I said I don't work with horses at the moment as I don;t, I work in an office and from that point forward she totally ignored me. What I found interesting was one of the girls who passed got several things wrong (more than anyone else if fact) but still passed. Possibly because the examiner was called Auntie.... - she's known the woman all her life and her mother and the examiner regularly competed and hacked together.

I'm not taking the courses to get a better job with horses - none of them will match my salary at the mo. I'm taking them to learn more etc and find the NVQs are great for that. The BHS exams were good for that too but at the same time they seemed quite out of date. How many people do their horses in a hacking jacket everyday??
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Ah, Stage 2 sorry. Do you have the BHS examiner's handbook? It has typical questions you'd be asked at each level...which might help you prepare.
It sounds as if the examiner thought you weren't certain what amounts to feed....if they point to a horse in a riding school, you can pretty much assume around light to medium work....so should have said how much food total weight, and what percentage concentrate to forage...then suggest a suitable nut or mix.
If you're having fun doing NVQ's that's great...but I wouldn't be admitting to having any (and I've been heavily involved from the centre's and assessor's side of things). I have to say I'd be embarassed to have NVQ's.
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Sorry, I know it isn't what you wanted to hear from anyone.
S
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I would like to confirm the BHS position with regards to the new UK Coaching Certificate. The BHS has worked with the BEF and the other BEF member bodies for over 5 years to develop new coaching certificates. These are not qualifications in their own right but coaching certificates endorsed via Sports Coach UK. It is therefore perhaps injudicious to draw direct comparisons between BHS qualifications and the UK Coaching Certificates.

The Coaching Certificates are a government initiative designed to raise awareness of purely coaching across all sports and to improve sporting performance. The UKCC is a four tier coaching model which the BEF and its members have tailored made specifically for the equestrian industry to ensure its success and suitability.

The BHS is delivering the Level 1 UKCC Endorsed Coaching (Assistant) Certificate through its Approved Riding Establishments.

The BHS has mapped the Preliminary Teaching Test to the Level 2 Coaching Certificate and candidates who sit the PTT can register for the UKCC Endorsed Level 2 Coaching Certificate. Anyone who passed the PTT or BHSAI before 1 September 2007 is being invited to attend “Train to Gain” courses in order to obtain the Level 2 Coaching Certificate.

The Level 3 Certificate is currently awaiting UKCC Endorsement but the BHS plans to map the Level 3 Certificate to the BHS Intermediate Teaching Test in the same way that it has done for the PTT with the Level 2 Coaching Certificate.

It is a shame that some people still have the impression that the BHS is “out of date” when clearly the BHS has been a major influence in the development of the UKCC Endorsed Coaching Certificate. Clearly it is difficult to change the minds of those individuals who are not receptive to change and who believe what they want to believe without researching the facts.

As far as the “BHS way” of doing things – if “safe and effective” is the “BHS way” then perhaps this is not such a bad thing – but the BHS is receptive and open minded enough to recognise that there are many ways to be “safe and effective”. Unfortunately, some of those who criticise these methods are still immersed in “their own way” - as was touched upon in the recent article in the BHS magazine.

In fact, the BHS has set up a subsidiary company called Equestrian Qualifications Limited to award it’s qualifications and the BEF’s UKCC Coaching Certificates, to ensure neutrality in its assessment processes and which should allay any fears that there is a “BHS way”. The BHS works with Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the Land Based industry, to ensure that its current vocational qualifications are aligned to the national occupational standards – we cannot afford to allow our qualifications to become “out dated” or they would no longer be accredited to the National Qualifications Framework or the emerging Qualifications and Credit Framework. Incidentally, the BHS recognises that some candidates prefer the NVQ route and has, for many years, offered the Scottish and National Vocational Qualifications (S/NVQ’s) as an alternative to BHS qualifications.

Sam Whale (Training Executive)
BHS Training Department
 
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I would like to confirm the BHS position with regards to the new UK Coaching Certificate. The BHS has worked with the BEF and the other BEF member bodies for over 5 years to develop new coaching certificates. These are not qualifications in their own right but coaching certificates endorsed via Sports Coach UK. It is therefore perhaps injudicious to draw direct comparisons between BHS qualifications and the UK Coaching Certificates.



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Thanks for updating us Sam. It's difficult for those on the outside to keep 'up to date' with new developments. Sounds like some very positive steps forward.

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Oh and cost will be a huge factor in what route people take, seeing as the current PTT cost (08 fee) is £190

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It sounds expensive - but have you looked at the cost of professional qualifications in other industries? Even in the lower paid sectors, they're still considerably more in most cases than the BHS quals. And the cost of running exams is considerable. There are facilty fees for the use of maneges and horses (centres normally close completely to their regular clients on exam days so they are hefty!) Then there are the examiners fees and travelling expenses and all the administrative costs of matching candidates to exam centres. They HAVE to cover their costs!
 
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