Criteria for Teaching Nordic Walking

Country Criteria for Teaching Nordic Walking

In order for INWA to ensure the delivery of high-quality education, there are guidelines for the criteria to be met if you are looking to be a National Trainer or an INWA Instructor.

INWA TRAINING LEVELS AND CRITERIA

TERMS OF REFERENCE

INWA’s Education Committee is responsible for setting the education strategy to safeguard the high quality education and training within the organization.

INWA’s education strategy comprises policies that must be followed by INWA members and the National Nordic Walking Association (NNWA) in order to maintain the education and training standards within INWA.

There are following levels of education:

INWA INTERNATIONAL TRAINER
INWA NATIONAL TRAINER
INWA INSTRUCTOR

INWA INTERNATIONAL TRAINER

Description:

a. An INWA International Trainer (IT) is a licensed health and fitness professional who provides education for INWA National Trainers and is responsible for high quality education

b. An INWA IT plays a major role mentoring new National Trainers and supporting them in developing Nordic Walking in cooperation with the National Nordic Walking Association (NNWA)

c. An INWA IT gives advice and proposes ideas for new innovative educational programs and strategies to the INWA Education Committee and the INWA board

d. An INWA IT promotes Nordic Walking nationally and internationally as a sport and as a physical activity related to health and fitness

e. An INWA IT is an ambassador for INWA and is affiliated to INWA

Job specification:

a. To deliver INWA courses for INWA in appointed countries on request and order of INWA
b. Ambassador for INWA
c. Mentor newly qualified national trainers in new countries
d. Attend standardisation meetings (virtual or face to face)
e. Report to the Educational Committee
f. Able to travel and work flexible hours
g. Present at the INWA convention
h. Commitment to developing professional skills (CPD)
i. Write report after every National Trainer Course including the course evaluation
j. Annual appraisal including contract renewal
k. Position is as a freelance trainer with remuneration set by the Board

INWA NATIONAL TRAINER

Description:

a. An INWA NATIONAL TRAINER (NT) is a licensed health and fitness professional who can provide education for INWA INSTRUCTORS and NW ACTIVITY LEADERS by order of the National Nordic Walking Association (NNWA) and is responsible for high quality education

b. An INWA NT must sign a contract with INWA and the NNWA, in which they commit themselves to the education program of INWA Instructor course

c. All Nordic Walking Instructor training courses must be organised by the NNWA. The NNWA selects an NT for each training course
An NT is not allowed to organise any form of Nordic Walking education by themselves without permission of the NNWA

d. An INWA NT is not allowed to give Nordic Walking Instructor courses outside their country without the permission of INWA and agreement from the NNWA.

In the case of an INWA NT moving to another country:
1. A country with an INWA NNWA – permission is needed from INWA and the new NNWA to become a member of this NNWA and work as an NT in this country
2. A country with no INWA NNWA – permission needed from INWA in order to work as a NT in this country (with the goal of setting a new NNWA in this country, after which the next point applies)

e. The number of INWA NT educated per country depends on the decision of the NNWA in co-operation with INWA

f. An INWA NT does not promote, work, train or educate in other Nordic Walking associations, federations or corporations other than the NNWA they represent (INWA). Such work would conflict with the interests of INWA

Qualifications and requisites:
ESSENTIAL:
a. INWA Instructor with broad experience
b. Qualifications in the fields of sport science or physical education or healthcare
c. Is experienced in promoting INWA Nordic Walking
d. Has demonstrable experience in transferring knowledge to students
e. NNWA: may set their own additional prerequisites

DESIRABLE
Possess a current First Aid qualification

How to become a National Trainer:
STEP 1: NNWA selects a candidate for National Trainer

STEP 2: NNWA introduces candidate to INWA office. The introduction must be:

1. Application letter with CV and a letter stating the reasons why they want to do the role of NT and why they will be good at it
2. Video showing their teaching skills and own Nordic Walking technique

STEP 3: INWA Education Committee assesses the CV and video

STEP 4: INWA Education Committee reports the conclusions to INWA board

STEP 5: This conclusions will be communicated to the NNWA

STEP 6: INWA organises an NT course
1. This can be held in Finland or in combination with the International Convention
2. It can be organised in cooperation with the NNWA in their home country

License refreshing: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is an important element of maintaining accreditation for INWA National Trainers. It can happen in two ways:
a. Participating in the complete annual INWA convention, and follow the lectures and practical workshops at least every 2 years.
b. Participating in their NNWA organised national convention where INWA has sent an International Trainer to deliver a special CPD program. This CPD has also a validation for 2 years

INWA INSTRUCTOR

Description:

a. An INWA Instructor is responsible for teaching the correct Nordic Walking technique following the 10 Step Teaching methodTM to the public in a well-balanced way providing excellence in education

b. An INWA Instructor is certified to organise Nordic Walking courses in their member country

c. An INWA Instructor must be a member of a NNWA. Only Instructors who are members of a NNWA may refer to themselves as INWA Instructors

d. An INWA Instructor is not allowed to give Nordic Walking courses outside their country without the permission of the INWA and the agreement of the NNWA

e. Only INWA Instructor members of a NNWA are licensed to use the INWA logo and teaching materials. The NNWA may set own additional clauses

How to become an Instructor:

a. OPTION 1: INWA MEMBER COUNTRY (NNWA)
INWA Instructor Course is organised by the NNWA and taught by a National Trainer

b. OPTION 2: NEW COUNTRY
INWA Instructor Course is organised by INWA and taught by an International
Trainer or a National Trainer assigned by INWA’s Board to do so

Qualifications & prerequisites:
ESSENTIAL:
a. In possession of a certificate as a sport/fitness trainer or a background in sport science or physical education or healthcare
b. Completion of a Nordic Walking course under the INWA 10 Steps methodTM
c. NNWA: may set own additional prerequisites

DESIRABLE
Possess a current First Aid qualification

License refreshing: Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
INWA INSTRUCTOR licences are refreshed every 2 years (NNWA may set own additional requisites)

OPTIONAL INWA TITLES FOR NNWA’s

INWA ACTIVITY LEADER (AL)

Description:
a. An AL is passionate about exercise and willing to promote Nordic Walking safeguarding the principles and characteristics of the technique
b. An AL is an experienced Nordic Walker that leads Nordic Walking groups
c. An AL works with an Instructor/NT to promote NW
d. An AL can assist an Instructor/NT to deliver a NW training
e. An AL can provide general information to NW participants
f. An AL can NOT teach Nordic Walking

How to become an Activity Leader:
a. An INWA Activity Leader (AL) is appointed by the NNWA
b. The NNWA may set their own additional requisites in order to issue the INWA AL Certification

DESIRABLE
Possess a current First Aid qualification

INWA MASTER INSTRUCTOR

How to become an INWA Master Instructor:

The Master Instructor is a title that is given by the NNWA and at the moment the conditions for obtaining this title have not been drawn up
At present the preparation of the conditions to be allowed to bear this title is the responsibility of the NNWA. INWA Education Committee will make a proposal in 2020 to arrive at an international INWA standard