FGASA is transitioning to a professional body recognized by SAQA, aligning with the 2021 Tourism Masterplan. By 2026, aspiring guides must obtain qualifications via QCTO, ceasing entry-level programs. This change, championed by Managing Director Michelle du Plessis, aims to enhance professional standards and support for guides, positioning them as highly skilled professionals in the tourism sector, which ultimately benefits South Africa’s tourism industry.
The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) is undergoing a notable evolution as it transitions from a CATHSSETA-accredited training entity to a recognized professional body by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). This shift is aligned with South Africa’s government initiatives as per the 2021 Tourism Sector Masterplan and Professionalisation Strategy. Since its inception in 1991, FGASA has been pivotal in establishing professional standards for field guiding, having trained over 40,000 individuals in the nature-guiding sector.
By mid-2026, FGASA will cease offering entry-level accredited programs. Aspiring field guides will now be required to pursue qualifications through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). Current trainees will benefit from a three-year period to complete their existing certifications. The transition to becoming a professional body is expected to enhance FGASA’s ability to represent its members’ interests and ensure the maintenance of high professional standards.
Michelle du Plessis, Managing Director, stated, “By formally registering as a professional body, we will be able to better advocate for the interests of our members, ensure the maintenance of high standards, and open the sector to greater diversity and transformation.” This change is critical for formalizing standards, recognizing professional qualifications, and supporting continuous professional development opportunities for nature guides.
Further emphasizing the significance of this transformation, Du Plessis remarked, “It’s the best thing that could happen to the guiding industry. It brings this profession in line with other recognised professions. It will position nature guiding as a professional career to ensure that guides are recognized as highly skilled professionals within the Tourism sector.” This professionalization effort not only aims to bolster the individual guides’ careers but also contributes significantly to the overall growth and competitiveness of South Africa’s tourism industry.
The reformation instigated by FGASA heralds a new era for field guides in South Africa, where they will be recognized as essential professionals within the tourism landscape, thus ensuring the continued excellence of guiding services in the country.
The Field Guides Association of Southern Africa (FGASA) was founded in 1991 to create and uphold professional standards in the field guiding industry. With the rise of the tourism sector in South Africa, FGASA has played a significant role in training field guides, facilitating their professional development, and enhancing their qualifications. The recent changes aim to align the training and professional standards within the guiding profession with broader government initiatives focused on professionalizing the tourism sector, thus encouraging diversification and transformation throughout the industry.
FGASA’s transformation into a recognized professional body represents a seminal moment for the field guiding industry in South Africa. The shift towards rigorous professionalization will not only elevate the standards of field guides but also enhance their recognition within the tourism sector. As FGASA prepares to support aspiring guides through future accreditation models, it emphasizes its commitment to maintaining excellence and fostering growth within this vital segment of the South African tourism industry.
Original Source: www.getaway.co.za
