Statement from BASI 22/01/2021

In response to a recent UK tabloid news article, BASI would like to issue the following statement.

For gap courses, BASI is only responsible for providing the exam component of the gap course itself. We are not involved with the logistics surrounding travel to and from resort, nor is BASI actually selling the gap course or collecting any money from students. It is the gap provider who does this as they are the ones operating the business. Our Business Partner, Peak Leaders, have issued this statement.

For the avoidance of doubt, were this to have been a BASI run course, our terms and conditions would entitle members to a refund; BASI has provided all members on BASI run courses that were impacted by Covid-19 with refunds when requested since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Moreover, we have also refunded examination fees to business partners running gap courses which had to be cancelled.

Throughout the pandemic, BASI has continued to adjust how and where we run courses to ensure we comply with local, national and international guidelines and restrictions. BASI qualifications are part of a career pathway for our members and we have an obligation to help them progress with their career if it’s safe and legal to do so.

Over the last year BASI has made a number of changes to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those taking a BASI exam, including:

  • Ensuring all our trainers undertake COVID Officer training and are well equipped to run courses safely
  • Amending our booking terms and conditions to give members flexibility and the peace of mind when booking courses during the pandemic that they will not be out of pocket if their exams need to be cancelled at the last minute
  • Adopting a flexible approach by moving courses when rules change to try and give our members the best chance to attend
  • Reducing the capacity of some courses to comply with local rules, often causing the course to run at a loss

Gap courses aside, BASI continue to operate our own courses in Switzerland because there are a number of members living there and they have expressed an interest in progressing with their career.  We are using local examiners to satisfy a local need; we are not encouraging members to travel internationally to attend courses under the current restrictions and we have ensured we are compliant with all local rules and restrictions