BECOME A COURSE PROVIDER

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2026 Provider Recruitment is NOW OPEN. 

Click the button above to apply now!

As an accessible alternative to the online application you can utilise a word document or request another suitable alternative to submit your answers to the required questions. Please ensure you review the 2026 Provider Recruitment document. If you wish to request an alternative means to apply, please contact noush.duffy@paddlescotland.org.uk.


In order to deliver any British Canoeing Awarding Body training or assessment course, you must be registered with Paddle Scotland (or your relevant National Association) to deliver the relevant course, and have received prior course authorisation to do so.


We recruit in the spring annually for course providers, please see below for 2026 recruitment guidance.


We are pleased to announce opportunities for new provider / tutor roles opening up on 1st May 2026 when we will be recruiting for providers of the following roles: 

  • Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue
  • Paddlesport Safety and Rescue (PSRC)
  • SUP Safer
  • Paddlesport Instructor (PSI)
  • Core Coach
  • Freestyle Coach
  • Polo Coach
  • Racing Coach
  • Slalom Coach
  • Surf Kayak Coach
  • Wild Water Racing Coach


Becoming a Provider is both an exciting opportunity and a significant responsibility. It offers the chance to play a key role in developing paddlers, coaches, and leaders, helping individuals build skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to the water. At the same time, it requires a strong commitment to maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and professionalism, as learners rely on accurate guidance and fair assessment. Providers must ensure that training and assessment environments are supportive, inclusive, and aligned with national standards, while also upholding the integrity of the awarding and national governing bodies. Balancing the enthusiasm of inspiring and developing others with the duty of care and accountability makes this role both rewarding and demanding.

Tutor / Provider / Assessor Responsibilities include:

  • Deliver courses for their Delivery Centre when needed.
  • Design and deliver tailored courses and programmes.
  • Deploy and monitor other staff as required to ensure appropriate course delivery.
  • Advise and mentor participants and aspirant Tutors.
  • Attend and contribute to standardisation meetings and update events.
  • Maintain accurate course records, administration, and communications.
  • Contribute to developing BCAB qualification guidance and support materials.
  • Collaborate with Paddle Scotland to support wider paddlesport provision goals.


The Journey to Becoming a Provider

If you are interested in becoming a provider, you must hold a full membership with Paddle Scotland and be resident and delivering in Scotland for at least 6 months of the year. We recommend that you consider these factors, the minimum requirements (detailed below), and be available for the relevant orientation and training dates to ensure that you are in a position to submit a strong application.

  1. Application - Submit your application to be considered for the role by 31st May 2026. See Minimum Application Requirements.
  2. Orientation - Successful applicants are required to attend and fully engage with: 
  3. Provider Online Orientation event. This provides a role and responsibilities overview for the provider, plus administration guidance. 
  4. Role specific Orientation event. This explores key course content and the demands of the tutor role. It prepares you for delivery and helps identify development needs. Your skills will be verified and readiness assessed during the orientation; the outcome determines your next steps. See details on page .
  5. Next Steps  - Following orientation you may be awarded either full or aspirant provider status. Those with the full role will be able to start delivering the course independently. You may be required to complete an individual action plan to support your ongoing development, evidence of this being completed may be required prior to gaining the full role. 


Please Note that for PSI and Coach Award roles, it is not possible to gain the full role from Orientation, this is achieved via a sign-off delivering the course. 


Maintaining your Role

In order to keep a role active and be able to deliver courses you are required to;

  1. maintain Coach Update;
  2. fulfil standardisation and moderation requirements;
  3. abide by the terms of the Provider Service Agreement.


All active providers are required to agree and sign our Provider Service Agreement 2026. If you have not already completed this, please have a look to ensure that you are happy to comply with the terms and conditions. Further information on how to agree and sign to this agreement will be explained at the Online Provider Orientation.

Minimum Application Requirements:

For Safety awards:

  • Hold Discipline Specific BCAB recognised Coaching qualification(s) to operate within the specific environment and craft. For multi discipline awards (such as PSRC), we require you to hold a coaching qualification or significant evidence demonstrating your knowledge and ability in all crafts.
  • Hold a Nationally recognised Tutoring qualification*
  • Completed the Risk Management and Risk Assessment eLearnings
  • Be a Paddle Safer provider (PSRC ONLY)
  • Have observed the course being delivered (desirable)
  • Ensure your Coach Update is in date


For Instructor awards:

  • Hold Discipline Specific BCAB recognised Coaching qualification(s) to operate within the specific environment and craft. For PSI this is in Canoe, Kayak, and SUP.
  • Hold a Nationally recognised Tutoring qualification*
  • Hold a Nationally recognised Assessing qualification**
  • Completed the Risk Management and Risk Assessment eLearning
  • Have observed the course being delivered (desirable)
  • Ensure your Coach Update is in date


For Coach awards:

  • Hold Discipline Specific BCAB recognised Coaching qualification(s) to operate within the specific environment and craft.
  • Hold a Nationally recognised Tutoring qualification*
  • Hold a Nationally recognised Assessing qualification**
  • Completed the Risk Management and Risk Assessment eLearning
  • Ensure your Coach Update is in date


* Examples of Nationally recognised Tutoring Qualifications:

  • Qualified Teacher Status
  • Level 3 Award in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (QCF)
  • Sports Education Tutoring PDA (SCQF)
  • Level 3 Award in Delivering Learning (QCF)
  • Level 3 Award in Education and Training
  • BCAB Tutoring in the Paddlesport Environment eLearning

(note: applicants who do not have a tutoring qualification will be required to complete one before Orientation) 


** Examples of Nationally recognised Assessing Qualifications:

  • Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Related Achievement (QCF)
  • Level 3 Award in Assessing Vocational Achievement (QCF)
  • Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment (QCF)
  • Conduct the Assessment Process PDA (SCQF)
  • NVQ A1 Assessor Award
  • NVQ D32/D33 Assessor Award
  • BCAB Assessing Competence in the Paddlesport Environment eLearning

(note: applicants who do not have an assessing qualification will be required to complete one before Orientation) 


In addition to the above requirements Providers are also required to have and demonstrate their Tutoring and Coaching Experience and Skills, Knowledge, Commitment, Personal Profile, and Proposed Delivery. To effectively evidence these additional requirements you must move beyond simply stating you possess the required traits and instead provide concrete, specific examples from your professional history.


Experience and Skills

Detail specific instances, outline your proven ability, describe how.

  • Experienced and skilled in coaching all areas of the relevant syllabus across the required range of environments.
  • Experience delivering / assessing awards in paddlesport and / or other outdoor activities.
  • Proven ability to plan, deliver, and review structured learning and / or assessment sessions.
  • Strong communication skills, including the ability to adapt delivery to varied learner needs.
  • Experience providing constructive, evidence-based feedback.
  • Competence in observation, decision-making, and judgement in dynamic environments.
  • Digital literacy sufficient to complete administrative and reporting requirements.
  • For Coach Award Provider roles, you should have at least 5 years active (and current) experience running progressive coaching sessions in the discipline specific environments.


Knowledge

Reference recent experiences that confirm.

  • Current and comprehensive understanding of:
  • The award syllabus
  • British Canoeing Awarding Body qualifications, pathways, and standards.
  • Coaching and leadership frameworks within paddlesport.
  • Safety, risk management, and safeguarding principles.
  • Understanding of Tutor / Assessor roles and principles, including fairness, reliability, and validity.
  • Knowledge of inclusive practice and adapting delivery to support diverse learners.

Core Coach Training Tutors need verified knowledge and understanding of the core coaching theories that underpin the syllabus. This is usually demonstrated through relevant Post Graduate level studies. 


Commitment 

Give examples and specific actions.

Commitment to:

  • Maintaining current technical competence and qualifications.
  • Continuing Professional Development (CPD) aligned with awarding body requirements.
  • Delivering and / or assessing in line with national standards and guidance.
  • Upholding the values and code of conduct of the awarding and national governing bodies.
  • Support, advise, and mentor aspirant Tutors / Assessors.
  • Engage with standardisation activities and updates.
  • Work collaboratively with other Tutors, Assessors, and internal quality assurers.


Personal Profile

Use brief, reflective examples to demonstrate. 

  • Professional, reliable, and well-organised.
  • Reflective practitioner with a commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Objective and fair, with the ability to make consistent decisions.
  • Approachable and supportive, fostering a positive learning environment.
  • Resilient and adaptable in outdoor and variable conditions.
  • High standards of integrity and ethical practice.


Proposed Delivery

Applicants should demonstrate a clear and realistic plan for delivering and / or assessing.

  • Clearly defined geographical area(s) where delivery and / or assessment will take place.
  • Ability and willingness to travel within the proposed area to meet demand.
  • Evidence of existing or potential access to participant groups.
  • Demonstration of how courses or assessments will be promoted and filled.
  • Understanding of local demand for relevant courses.
  • Commitment to widening participation in paddlesport.


Recruitment Timeline:

Applications:

1st May - 31st May


Notifications:

Week commencing 15th June


Provider Online Orientation:

Tuesday 23rd June 7pm - 9pm

or

Thursday 25th June 7pm - 9pm

Cost - Free


PSRC F2F Orientation:

2 Days - 29th & 30th June

Cost - £450


PSI F2F Orientation:

2 days - 11th & 12th July

Cost - £450


Coach Award F2F Orientation:

2 Days - TBC

Cost - £450


Sea Kayak Safety & Rescue F2F Orientation:

1 Day - TBC

Cost - £175


Orientation Outcomes:

There are 5 possible outcomes from the orientation:

  1. Provider Role Granted - The aspirant Provider is able to start delivering the associated course immediately. They are likely to have a simple action plan from the event but there is no requirement for follow up.
  2. Conditional Provider Role Granted - The aspirant Provider is able to start delivering the associated course immediately. They are likely to have a simple action plan from the event. They are required to deliver their first event with a full Provider. 
  3. Action Plan - The aspirant Provider is not able to deliver the associated course immediately. They have a simple action plan from the event. They need to provide evidence of completion prior to Provider roles being granted. Example: Need to develop SUP Personal Skills. Evidence, a Day 1-1 Coaching with WWSUP Coach Provider with a report and video submitted or obtain a WW SUP Award or Qualification etc.
  4. Action Plan: National Association Trainer Assessed Delivery - The aspirant Provider is not able to deliver the associated course immediately; they have a more complex action plan from the event. They need to provide evidence of completion of the action plan to the National Association Coaching Manager who will assign a National Association Trainer to perform the final Assessed Delivery, outcomes of an Assessed Delivery could be any of the options 1 - 4 discussed above. However, a 2nd National Association Trainer sign off being required would be highly unusual.
  5. Event is void/ marked as non-attendance - The aspirant Provider is unable to attend or doesn’t take part in the day’s activity. The National Association Coaching Manager would decide if the candidate had to attend another orientation or make a fresh application dependent on circumstances.


Note your interest on your record and be the first to find out about upcoming opportunities.


  • Login to JustGo 
  • Click ‘My Profile’ 
  • Click ‘Additional Details’ 
  • Click ‘Course Provider
Screenshot of a website interface showing a user's profile, specifically the

If you are interested in becoming a provider, we recommend that you consider these factors to ensure that you are in a position to submit a strong application: 


  1. Check that you meet the role essential (and desirable) requirements - fill any gaps that you may have identified.
  2. Get out and observe the course being delivered.
  3. Become a provider of relevant Personal Performance Awards and deliver courses (this is a great introduction to delivering a syllabus driven course).
  4. Make sure your Coach Update is in date.