Bad News for British Ski Instructors

7th May 2021

Last modified on May 11th, 2021

The British Association of Snowsport Instructors says Britons will not be allowed to take the European speed test needed for the top level of qualification required to work in the EU.

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The ban applies not just to British citizens, but also to BASI members who hold EU passports.

The Common Training Test (CTT) was previously known as the Eurotest.

It is a tough speed challenge involving a timed Giant Slalom run which students must pass to achieve the highest (Level 4) qualification and be able to work as an independent instructor in the EU.

The news will come as a further blow to Britons attempting to finish their Level 4 qualification.

“Because the UK is no longer part of the EU, if you are a British Citizen, regardless of what association you are a member of, you are not permitted to enter the CTT,” BASI says in a statement on its website.

“This is because this test is a fundamental aspect of the Delegated Act, an Act regulated by the EU, and applies only to EU Citizens due to it allowing Right of Establishment across all EU states as a ski instructor.

“We have also received confirmation that any BASI members with an EU passport are also not permitted to enter the CTT.”

British Association of Snowsport Instructors

BASI says it will, with immediate effect, replace the CTT speed test with the International Ski Instructors’ Association (ISIA) Speed Test for Level 4.

BASI is able to offer the ISIA test as it is a member of the Association.

However, the ISIA speed test is not as tough as the CTT, and Austria, France and Italy are not members of ISIA so it remains to be seen whether they’ll accept it.

“As the new level 4 will now be easier than the French/Austrian/Italian top level as it won’t include the CTT, I can’t see why/how those nations will grant BASI an equivalence,” one instructor told PlanetSKI.

Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications between the UK and the EU ended on 31^st December 2020.

It is now up to the individual countries whether or not to accept third countries’ qualifications.

“We have had positive recognition discussions with France and Germany but Italy have remained unresponsive despite our efforts to initiate proceedings,” BASI says.

“We hope that this situation will change now that the winter is over, and officials have perhaps got more time to spare.

“BASI qualifications continue to be recognised by Switzerland, who are obviously not part of the EU but are an important market for British instructors.”

Even if qualifications are recognised, following Brexit there is no automatic right to work for British citizens in the EU who must apply for a work visa.