The new BCU UKCC endorsed coaching awards were introduced in October 2007. No automatic transfers are available, but a range of options exist to transfer to the new scheme where desired.

• Why Transfer
• How to Transfer
• I am a:
  • BCU Level 1
  • BCU Level 2 Trainee
  • BCU Level 2 in Kayak and/or Canoe
  • BCU Level 3 Trainee
  • BCU Level 3 in one or more disciplines
  • BCU Level 4
  • BCU Level 5 Trainee
  • BCU Level 5
• Transfer Pathways

Why Transfer?

While it is true that pre-UKCC qualifications will continue to be recognised by the BCU/SCA provided the coach retrains their ‘updated’ status, there are many benefits of transferring to the new UKCC endorsed scheme, including the following:

• Opportunity to develop your ‘how to coach’ skills alongside the ‘what to coach’;
• Opportunity to progress to higher levels as the new scheme continues to roll out;
• Opportunity to coach in a variety of disciplines;
• Parity with coaches in many other sports in the UK;
• Counts as Coach Update;
• A BCU UKCC Level 2 Award is required to access BCU Moderate Water Endorsement and/or BCU UKCC Level 3;
• Personal Development; the UKCC endorsed awards may provide coaches with the opportunity to develop certain aspects of their skill set;
• Increased remit; for example the BCU (UKCC) Level 1 Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport, qualifies coaches to work with paddlers in any craft;
• Increased recognition: candidates in Scotland receive dual certification with Scottish Qualifications Authority. The UKCC endorsed awards meet nationally set standards for coaching and consequently are likely to be valued higher by employers and clients.
• Demand led; due to the establishment of a national set of standards for sports coaching, some employers may require the UKCC endorsed qualification;
• Remaining Current; Coaches may want their skills recognised on the same scale as new coaches coming through.

The choice to transfer lies entirely with the candidate. The process will involve an element of assessment against the new assessment criteria, taking into consideration the candidates’ previous experience and qualifications. When a Coach transfers they will not lose other BCU Coaching Qualifications that they may also hold.

When considering your own situation, ask yourself:

• Does your current coaching awards meet your needs in terms of the environment, craft and ratios?
• What are your aims?
• What craft do you wish to coach in?
• What environment do you wish to coach in?
• Do you need to coach – is leading enough?
• Do you want to improve your coaching skills?
• Do your paddlers need more from you?
• Do you want to increase your remit?
• Do you want increased recognition (national standards)
• Do you see a demand from deployers

How to Transfer

There is no single answer on how to transfer and there are usually several options available depending on your short, medium and long term aims. The following guidance will assist you in evaluating your options.

I am currently:

BCU Level 1

Options:

1. Stay as you are and keep updated
2. Progress to 4 Star Leader Training and Assessment (discipline specific). This will provide you with a remit to lead (but not coach) groups in moderate water environment
3. Transfer to BCU UKCC Level 1 (1 day). Visit our Coaching Pathway page for further information. Note - scholarship funding of up to 75% is available for this route.

BCU Level 2 Trainee

Options include:

1. Complete old Level 2 Assessment prior to 31st December 2010, or 3 years from your training (whichever is earlier). You will then hold the BCU Level 2 Award in that discipline and be able to run coaching sessions in a sheltered water environment in the craft relevant to your award.
2. BCU UKCC Level 1 Transfer. See pathway 1. This is the quickest route to obtain a coaching award and will provide you with the full BCU UKCC Level 1 award and remit to coach introductory sessions in any craft in a sheltered water environment. Note - scholarship funding of up to 75% or £50 is available for this route.
3. BCU UKCC Level 2 Training (the progress to assessment). See pathway 3. Note - scholarship funding of up to 50% or £300 is available for this route.
4. 4 Star Leader Training and Assessment (discipline specific). This will provide you with a remit to lead (but not coach) groups in moderate water environment. When your Level 2 Trainee status expires (3 years after training), you will have no coaching remit and may need to start the coaching pathway from the beginning (i.e. BCU UKCC Level 1 Training and Assessment).

BCU Level 2 in Kayak and/or Canoe

Options include:

1. Stay as you are and keep updated.
2. BCU UKCC Level 1 Transfer. See pathway 1. This will provide you with the full BCU UKCC Level 1 award and remit to coach introductory sessions in any craft in a sheltered water environment. Note - scholarship funding of up to 75% or £50 is available for this route.
3. 4 Star Leader Award in any discipline. This will provide you with a remit to lead (not coach) in a moderate water environment in your chosen discipline.
4. Attend BCU UKCC Level 2 Transfer course leading to BCU UKCC Level 2 Award. See pathway 4. This will widen your coaching remit, allowing you to run progressive sessions in a sheltered water environment in any craft.
5. Attend BCU UKCC Level 2 Training course leading to BCU UKCC Level 2 Award. See pathway 3. This will widen your coaching remit, allowing you to run progressive sessions in a sheltered water environment in any craft. Note - scholarship funding of up to 50% or £300 is available for this route.
6. 4 Star Leader Training and Assessment (discipline specific). This will provide you with a remit to lead (but not coach) groups in moderate water environment. Your coaching remit will remain to coach in sheltered water unless you achieve the BCU Moderate Water Endorsement.

BCU Level 3 in one or more discipline

Options include:

1. Stay as you are and keep updated.
2. BCU UKCC Level 2 Transfer course leading to BCU UKCC Level 2 Award. This may widen your coaching remit (depending if you hold Level 3 in kayak and canoe disciplines), allowing you to run progressive sessions in a sheltered water environment in any craft (in addition to your existing BCU Level 3 remit)
3. BCU UKCC Level 3 Core training leading to BCU UKCC Level 3 Award (discipline specific). This will greatly develop your coaching skills and knowledge. Visit our Coaching Pathway page to find out more. Note: This route has scholarship funding available of up to £400 or 75%.
4. Apply for APL to access BCU Moderate Water Training and Assessment in the new discipline
5. Apply for APL to access BCU Level 3 Assessment in the new discipline. This route is only available until end of 2010.
6. Complete Coaching Processes and 5 Star Leader (if not already held) to hold the equivalent to old BCU Level 4. This will provide you with a remit to coach groups in advanced water environment.
7. Progress to BCU Level 5 Training leading to BCU Level 5 in the same discipline as you hold BCU Level 3

BCU Level 4 (or equivalent)

 Options include:

1. Stay as your are and keep updated.
2. BCU UKCC Level 3 Core training leading to BCU UKCC Level 3 Award (discipline specific). This will greatly develop your coaching skills and knowledge. Visit our Coaching Pathway page to find out more. Note: This route has scholarship funding available of up to £400 or 75%.
3. Progress to BCU Level 5 Training leading to BCU Level 5 in the same discipline as you hold BCU Level 4 or equivalent 

BCU Level 5 Trainee

 Options include:

1. Progress to BCU Level 5 Assessment within your training validity
2. BCU UKCC Level 3 Core training leading to BCU UKCC Level 3 Award (discipline specific). Note: This route has scholarship funding available of up to £400 or 75%.
3. Progress to BCU Level 5 Training leading to BCU Level 5 in the same discipline as you hold BCU Level 4 or equivalent 

BCU Level 5 Coach

1. Stay as your are and keep updated
2. Attend

Pathways

Pathways 1 and 2 - BCU Level 1 Coach

1 day Level 1 Transfer to become BCU UKCC Level 1 Coach
 

In addition to Level 1 award, boat based candidates must hold the new generic 2 star or the old 2 star in canoe and kayak, Bank based candidates are not required to hold the 2 star award

Pathway 2 - BCU Level 2 Trainee Coach 

1 day Level 1 Transfer to become BCU UKCC Level 1 Coach. Similar to pathway 1, boat based candidates must hold the new generic 2 star or the old 2 star in canoe and kayak, Bank based candidates are not required to hold the 2 star award.

Pathway 3 - BCU Level 2 Trainee Coach
 

Enter the BCU UKCC Level 2 training programme with the 4 day training course followed by CPD plus Level 2 Assessment to become BCU UKCC Level 2 Coach

Pathway 4 - BCU Level 2 Coach

1 day Level 2 Transfer course plus CPD plus Level 2 Assessment to become BCU UKCC Level 2 Coach. This option requires coaches to hold a minimum of 2 star in canoe and kayak and 3 star in any discipline.