Instructor Information
Instructor Information

Instructor & Course Provider Information

What is an ISA Training Centre
• An ISA Training Centre is an organisation that has, in partnership with the ISA, undertaken to provide quality tuition and training to national and international standards.
• ISA certified training courses can only be run at accredited ISA Training Centres, by suitably-qualified staff, who follow the relevant national syllabus, use appropriate well-maintained equipment and have adequate safety support.  The ISA through its Inspectors continuously monitors its recognised centres to ensure that operating standards are being maintained.

How do your clients benefit?
• Participants on an ISA course will be taught using a step by step syllabus, used and approved throughout Ireland.  This means they can become proficient at their chosen sport using defined stages which can be transferred to any ISA Training Centre around the country.
• The certificate your clients receive upon successfully completion of their training course is the most widely recognised Irish certificate available, both nationally and internationally.
• Participants on an ISA recognised course know that the centre has undertaken to maintain standards of equipment and facilities in line with those defined by the ISA. This covers aspects such as sailing and safety boats through to changing facilities and wetsuits.
• All instructors working on ISA approved courses have been trained by ISA appointed personnel according to a comprehensive ISA training programme.  This means that the course participant should be receiving the best instruction possible using the most up to date methods.
• The ISA provides certification and supporting literature for all courses. These can be purchased from the ISA office by the centres and certificates must be issued to all successful participants by the centre.

How do you benefit?
• Referrals from the ISA office, our website and promotional material provide many centres with their primary source of clients.
• In advertising you can use the ISA Training Centre logo, an internationally recognised mark of quality, to promote your recognised courses.
• Your clients may be familiar already with ISA courses and syllabuses having already done courses with you, or elsewhere and now wish to move onto the next stage with you.
• Through the ISA you can access information and expertise on all aspects of your waterside operation.
• Using ISA Trained staff will improve safety standards, raise customer satisfaction and help reduce equipment damage & running costs.
• National Governing Body approval is a requirement for many customers particularly those from Education Authorities.
• The ISA provides logbooks, certification and support material for all its courses. These are available at discount from the ISA for you to retail to your clients.
• The ISA is currently the only organisation in Ireland providing a quality / safety assurance programme for activity centres.
• ISA accreditation can significantly reduce your insurance costs.
 
How do you set about becoming an ISA Training Centre?

1 The booklet in conjunction with the ISA Centre Inspection Report Form sets out the requirements made of its Training Centres. You need to carefully read all of the relevant sections.

It may look a little daunting but a lot of it is stating the obvious, and some parts are specific to recognition for certain activities only and so may not have any relevance to your organisation.

2 Having gone through the booklet you should have a good idea what we are looking for and what you would need to do to get there.  If you have any questions do contact the ISA Training Office.  At this stage it is sometimes helpful to arrange to visit your centre or meet elsewhere to discuss any issues further.  It is worth remembering that through all the stages we are committed to helping centres meet the requirements with the minimum of expense and effort.

3 Once you are happy that you can meet the ISA requirements you should complete the form “Application to become an ISA Training Centre” and send this to the ISA along with the appropriate recognition fee.  

4 We will then arrange for an ISA Inspector to come out and inspect your facility. This must be done while you are actually running a course of instruction.

5 On the successful completion of the inspection you will be awarded ISA recognition.

Recognition is based on the calendar year and is continuous unless withdrawn by the ISA.


A list of current recognition and inspection charges is available from the ISA Office and on the website. These are payable annually at the time of your centre inspection or upon invoice.

There are additional detailed, leaflets and information available from the ISA office to assist you with specific problems.  In particular our “Policies & Procedures manual” will assist you in developing all of the required policies and procedures. 

We also have an annual programme of training days for Centre Principals, Junior Organisers, Safety Officers etc.  Details of these are available from the ISA Training Office and on the ISA calendar of events on the website.

 

ISA recognition covers only the standards of tuition and safety on ISA training and coaching activities.  It does not cover the residential aspects of centres, nor other areas which may be subject to legislation.  ISA Inspectors are not necessarily trained and/or qualified in matters such as food hygiene, fire safety, road transport, the EC travel package directive or Acts of the Oireachtas. In particular attention should be paid to the requirements of the Irish Passenger Boat Regulations.


Should you have any queries with regard to any of the information or want any other advice or assistance in the setting up of an ISA recognized centre contact ISA Training at 01 2710114 or training@sailing.ie.

 

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