Guide Training
Introduction
Blue Badge Registered Tourist Guides are trained under the auspices of The Institute of Tourist Guiding, often in conjunction with Universities or Colleges of Further Education. Most training courses for guides last at least two academic terms and some, e.g. London, may be up to nearly two years.
A wide spectrum of academic, specialist and practical training is covered as well as a core curriculum of the history, architecture and social development of the country.
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Please do not contact the Guild office about training courses.
This site gives you access to all the current information and downloadable material.
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Is there an age limit to becoming a guide?
Many people come into guiding from a different career and therefore tend to be at least in their late-twenties. Many guides are considerably older. Rather than age, the prerequisite is for stamina and good health as the work of the guide can be physically demanding, with early starts to the day and, sometimes, a late finish.
FAQs
Do you need a university degree?
Higher and further education are not required to be a guide. Many, but not all guides have degrees. However, as the course combines knowledge with practical training you should be prepared for a considerable amount of learning. Remember though that being a guide is not all about knowledge. It is about delivery of knowledge - the "art" of guiding and about looking after your visitors.
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Do you need to be able to speak another language?
You should be aware that the English speaking market is the most competitive and, therefore, those with a second or third language will have a greater advantage than those who speak English.
FAQs
Can I get any financial help for the course fees?
You may qualify for a professional Career Development Loan from your local council and details will be provided if you are accepted. As The Guild of Registered Tourist Guides is a non-profit making organization it is, therefore, unable to offer direct financial help. Applicants who already work in the tourist industry may find it worthwhile to apply to their workplace for financial support.
FAQs
Do I need to speak fluent English to do the course?
Yes. All the lectures and practical sessions are conducted in English.
FAQs
I live outside the European Community. Would I be able to do the course?
You need to have access to central London to be able to do the course and also hold either a visa with indefinite leave to remain or a work permit.
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What characteristics make a good guide?
The people who become guides obviously vary widely. The one essential characteristic they share is that they enjoy working with people. Understanding and being sympathetic to the stresses and strains of the traveller (jet lag, nervousness of a large city, not being able to understand the language) is essential. The guide is often the first local human contact.
FAQs
How much do guides earn and can I make a living from guiding full time?
Earnings depend on how much a guide works. Most guides are freelance.The work is seasonal, with long quiet periods in the winter which fluctuates with world economics and politics. Competition can be considerable, for example, there are approximately 1000 guides on the London register, about half of whom work full time, some exclusively in languages other than English. Such items as accident and sickness insurance, personal pension as well as National Insurance and Income Tax must also be taken into account. Many, particularly newly qualified guides, continue to undertake some part time employment as, like many new business ventures, it usually takes awhile to generate and build up a good client base.
Tourist guides will charge a range of fees, depending on what type of work is being undertaken. As an example, for ‘mainstream’ guiding work in English in 2011-2012 freelance London Blue Badge guides are negotiating minimum fees in the range of £127-£150 per half day and £200-£225 per full day. Driver guides and those with second languages generally charge a higher minimum.
FAQs
What kind of people become guides?
Many guides have a background such as teaching, accountancy, law, journalism and medicine. We have guides with a theatre background or who come from other branches of the tourist industry. We also have home-makers and carers, taxi drivers, horticulturists, postmen and policemen - a diverse variety. Although some guides will offer specialist tours, most guides will accept all types of work which would include London’s major tourist sites and day trips out of London.
FAQs
How can I experience the work of a Blue Badge Guide?
- Find out about the work of a Blue Badge guide by joining one of their tours. To do this in London take a guided coach tour around London, many of which include tours of London sites. Evan Evans, Premium Tours and Golden Tours often use Blue Badge guides, but check that the tour you are taking is not being conducted by an unqualified guide. The open top buses do NOT use Blue Badge guides.
- In addition take a highlights tour of sites such as the daily 2012 Olympic guided tours (see www.toursof2012sites.com for information). Spencer House or, during August/September and on Saturdays the Palace of Westminster also run public guided tours conducted by Blue Badge Guides. .
For further information about London click here.
Please do not contact the Guild of Registered Tourist Guides' office. All enquiries must be by e-mail to the
FAQs
The Prospectus and Application Form for the London course are available only by downloading them from this web site
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