Edinburgh University's Board of Studies met earlier this month and BASI has now had confirmation that the Quality Assurance report that needs to be submitted annually, to retain qualification recognition, has been approved. All 24 BASI courses will remain on the SCQF database.

Why is this important? By aligning the BASI qualifications with the SCQF, It provides the following benefits:

1. The credits received for each course can be used as evidence of an ability to work at that level of difficulty. This can be useful for applying for jobs which may require, for example, ‘a degree or equivalent’. 
2. The credits received can be used as evidence of the work completed to apply for entry to courses in further and higher education. As BASI courses are on the SCQF this makes the process much more straightforward .
3. One further advantage of the process of credit rating is that the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) which means that courses are recognised throughout Europe - this may become more critical as we enter a Brexit phase of withdrawal negotiations and bilateral negotiations.

New BASI Board Members Elected

Massive congratulations to the new BASI Alpine Director, Tom Waddington, the new BASI Finance Director, Mike Agutter, and to Don Bates for being re-elected as Secretary to the Board!

Thanks to all candidates for standing and to all the members that voted!

Tom Waddington
Alpine Director

Mike Agutter
Finance Director

Don Bates
Secretary to the Board

Notice of BASI General Meeting - 11 November 2018

Buy Sharing the Passion BASI History book

Buy the iBook!

The iBook is 326 pages packed full of narrative and over 600 images of members, key events and personalities from the first 50 years of BASI. A "must read" for every BASI member who has an interest in their Association and anyone with an interest in the evolution of British snowsports.  Download your copy now for £9.99

Buy the Kindle book!

The Kindle book is 529 pages and includes the same narrative and pictures from the printed version of the book. Download your Kindle version for £7.06.

SCQF Criteria for Recognised Prior Learning

Having successfully aligned all current BASI qualifications to the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF), BASI and the University of Edinburgh have now reviewed the SCQF criteria for Recognised Prior Learning (RPL). The result of this review is that those current members who hold BASI qualifications that were not part of the original alignment process, and who have maintained licensed status through the Continued Professional Development (CPD) process can now make a request to BASI to be issued certificates showing their SCQF levels and credits.

This will be of interest to members who are looking to further their academic qualifications or access other careers or courses that require entry standards, as they will be able to present their BASI qualifications (with SCQF credits) as evidence.

The SCQF has cross-border recognition with other nations’ qualification frameworks like the European Qualification Framework (EQF). This provides a progressive framework for the recognition of the BASI qualifications in an international context. This is potentially important for Members seeking to work internationally or satisfy international entry criteria for courses in other countries. Members who are interested in receiving SCQF certificates should e-mail basi@basi.org.uk or call 01479 861 717 (option 1) to make their request. The Training & Membership Team will verify the qualification and licence status and issue the appropriate level certificate. This process will incur an administration fee of £10 per certificate.

New Chapter of Collaboration for Snowsport Scotland and BASI

After some months of discussion, the Boards of both organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding and agree to work together towards award alignment, shared resources and event support.

Trafford Wilson, CEO of Snowsport Scotland describes this new initiative as “being key to the alignment of professional snowsports awards in Scotland”. Andrew Lockerbie, CEO of BASI recently described the new union as, “a crucial step forward for both organisations to help them better serve the needs of the Scottish snowsports community.” The first outcome the organisations intend to achieve in this new partnership will be to review the SSS assessment process with a view to granting qualified Snowsport Scotland Instructors direct access to the BASI Level 2 instructor training course.

More news will follow…

For further information please contact:
Tania Alliod, BASI     TEL: 01479 780013,  Tania@basi.org.uk  and/ or,
Iain Ramsay – Clapham ,  Snowsport Scotland, TEL: 07825 304074 , Iain@snowsportscotland.org

Working Together - The Home Nations and BASI

Statement issued 8 August 2018

As with most snowsports nations the UK has a number of organisations which are involved in the development of the sport. Each body respects and values the others. There are small, occasional overlaps in the remits but we do not seek to actively compete with each other, rather we recognise that for the sport to thrive we must work together in the spirit of mutual respect and cooperation.

Panda Optics eyewear and BASI have confirmed a supply sponsor partnership for BASI’s National Education Team as they make their preparations for the World Interski Congress in Pamporovo, Bulgaria in March 2019. Panda Optics will sponsor the team sunglasses in a sponsorship package worth £1,500 (RRP).

Panda Optics is a British brand producing high performance goggles and sunglasses. From mountain to beach the Panda Optics collection combines the latest technology with innovative style and design to optimise vision and comfort.

Roy Henderson, BASI’s NET Manager said:

“The Panda Optics collection has been designed and manufactured for serious snowsports enthusiasts and we’re delighted that a born and bred UK brand is supporting BASI’s National Education Team. Having eyewear with a high visual impact that performs well and looks good gives confidence to the team’s overall performance, not to mention morale.”  

Oliver Heath, Managing Director at Panda Optics commented:

“It’s a pleasure to be sponsoring the National Education Team. Back in 2009 I did my BASI L1 and 2, and my trainers are current NET members, so it’s nice to be giving something back and getting Panda further involved in British Snowsports.”                                                                                                                                 

BASI National Education Team 2018 – 2022

Eyewear by Panda Optics

Tel: + 44 (0)7378 164 132

Website:  www.pandaoptics.co.uk

Email:      info@pandaoptics.co.uk