Outdoor Education Coaches Competency Level Self-Assessment Model, Co-Curriculum Centres in Malaysia

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Introducción: This study focuses on the development of a self-assessment model for outdoor education trainers in Malaysia. A trainer competency assessment instrument (OCL-OMR) was previously developed; therefore, there was a need to develop a new competency assessment model. Objective: The objective of the study is to identify the relationship between key competency attributes, including hard skills, soft skills, and meta-skills, with trainers' overall performance to guide co-curricular centres in enhancing their training programs. Methodology: Using a quantitative design method, namely a One-Shot case study, the researchers assessed 240 trainers from co-curricular outdoor education centres across Malaysia. A stratified sampling method was applied to divide the population of trainers according to the main regions of Malaysia, including the North, West, East, and South regions. Results: Regression analysis revealed significant relationships across multiple competency sub-attributes: philosophy, history, and psychosocial aspects (R-square = .681, F (3,236) = 167.60, p = .000); hard skills such as safety, environment, and technical expertise (R-square = .865, F (6,233) = 249.77, p = .000); soft skills like teaching, facilitating, and organizing (R-square = .964, F (9,230) = 690.97, p = .001); and meta-skills encompassing leadership, communication, and decision-making (R-square = .970, F (12,227) = 14209.92, p = .001). Discussion: These findings highlight the comprehensive integration of various competency attributes and their robust influence on trainers’ competency levels. Conclusions: The study concludes that this new competency model provides a structured framework to enhance outdoor education trainers' capabilities, enabling co-curriculum centres in Malaysia to design more effective and holistic training programs.