Thank you for the interest in PMTS and Harb Ski Systems.
There are a number of reasons why PMTS is where it is today in pace and size. Some are internal, PMTS as an organization decided three years ago to change its emphasis and move away from developing PMTS ski schools. .
Joseph makes very good points and he addresses many of the industry reasons within ski schools for the lack of development in general of ski instructors and ski instruction.
Here are some other reasons for present pace of PMTS instructor and ski school development.
The principles of PMTS are not pursuing growth because it would require accepting lower standards. PSIA instructors are used to passing certification levels without much substantive teaching ability or skiing knowledge. PMTS demands higher standards and higher standards are not required by ski schools.
Yes, you can figure it out, where is the motivation to become a better ski instructor, given it is unnecessary to be qualified (read Joseph?s experience in a ski school) and the pay scale isn?t influenced by quality instruction, this doesn?t increase instructor motivation for training and pursuing further education.
PSIA has control over most ski schools and its membership. They set the standards and certification agenda. They and most ski school directors are OK with where it stands.
PMTS has stopped its marketing to ski resorts, as the time involved in pursuing the efforts are better placed in other directions.
PMTS has penetrated some markets and royal battles have ensued between the establishment and those with the new revolutionary ideas. In Central Division it led to the firing of educational committee folks and dividing the Division. PMTS people and Harb Ski Systems instead began to focus on more beneficial pursuits, such as educating skiers rather than convincing unmotivated ski instructors and ski resorts.
The resistance isn?t about what material is better to teach, that is clear and has been well established and proven. The real reason that no new ideas are introduced at the traditional level is because of the group of controlling, fearful, individuals. Many are worried that they would lose their power, respect and positions if different methods such as PMTS were pursued. The established educational staffs, examiner staffs, level III instructors all the way through the system, would have to re-up their qualifications and standards.
The mission of PMTS states generally, that PMTS will educate and develop in the art of ski instruction and skiing, motivated skiers and instructors, one skier at a time. It was never had designs or been proportioned to become a national teaching organization. If Divisions within the USA want to teach PMTS Direct Parallel, PMTS will help them, but PMTS doesn?t see itself as the controlling organization.
PMTS is not in a rush to infiltrate ski schools because the culture is so resistant. PMTS has had many CEO and board members of major ski corporations interested in the product, but when they see the cultural upheaval that would ensue within their organization if they forced such a change, the process would be too disruptive.
PMTS is gaining more participants each year, skiers are learning about it through Harb Ski Systems and from the many skiers who have benefited from PMTS instruction.
We continue our efforts to educate instructors where the motivation is strong. In one location this year in particular, the ski schools in and around Madison and Milwaukee are growing their teaching knowledge and pursuing PMTS. PMTS is also holding its first Canadian based accreditation this March.
PMTS does not have many instructors but the ones that are current and teaching are spread around the world and enjoying themselves more than ever. We have seen numerous interested Harb Ski Camp participants become PMTS accredited. They are either teaching skiing regularly, helping friends or starting their own businesses within the ski industry.
Since Diana, Rich, Mel, and I are the primary trainers and examiners in PMTS, we want to work with people who are motivated by being better and learning more about skiing and ski instruction. These skiers are finding us and we are having fun developing their skills, as they are motivated and enthusiastic.
This is a non-for-profit organization and no one will become rich by training and certifying ski instructors. We do it because we have a valid, valuable product that some people want and we enjoy distributing the excitement it brings to instructors and skiers. For further info have a read at:
http://www.pmts.org/ind_who.htm