Outdoor Industry Unites to Save Critical Skills Training in the Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains, NSW – Representatives from across the outdoor education, tourism, and adventure guiding sectors gathered on 23 April to address a pressing workforce development crisis threatening the Blue Mountains’ renowned outdoor industry.

The urgent meeting, led by Outdoors NSW & ACT, responded to the recent removal of roping and abseiling qualifications from the nationally endorsed Outdoor Leadership training package—a move that would undermine the region’s ability to deliver safe, high-quality outdoor experiences.

“The Blue Mountains is globally recognised for its canyons and cliffs,” said Lori Modde, CEO of Outdoors NSW & ACT. “Removing roping qualifications from local training packages completely disregards the specific skills required for our terrain and our economy.”

Operators, educators, and training providers expressed deep concern over the impact this change would have on future workforce capabilities, noting that roping and risk management skills are essential not only for technical guiding, but for maintaining safety standards across adventure tourism and outdoor education.

While alternatives such as private training providers were discussed, the group emphasised that short-course models often fail to deliver the depth and duration needed to foster strong decision-making and leadership in the field and available funding is at capacity.

“We don’t mind who delivers the training—but it must be long-form, locally relevant, and produce guides who are ready for the real risks of this landscape,” said one participant.

The group called for TAFE NSW to reinstate the qualifications immediately and suggested that if TAFE is unwilling to meet regional training needs, state funding should be redirected to other providers that can.

A joint industry briefing paper has already been distributed to state ministers, with updates from this meeting to follow.

“We’re calling for urgent action,” Modde said. “We need training providers to meet the real-world needs of our industry—and we need governments to support them to do so.”

The meeting also explored longer-term solutions including recognition of international qualifications, improved mentoring pathways, and even an industry-wide training levy to support sustainable skills development.