Outdoor activities instructor
Outdoor activities instructors lead trips and teach people skills in pursuits like hill walking, scrambling, climbing, canoeing, skiing and snowboarding.
Also known as: Outward bounds instructor, adventure leader
- Starter salary£23,000 a year
- Experienced£30,000 a year
- Typical hours36 to 44 a week
What you'll do
As an outdoor activities instructor, you could:
- work with people of different ages and abilities
- plan and prepare suitable activity programmes for groups
- explain safety procedures at the start of sessions
- lead groups on adventures and expeditions
- demonstrate and teach activities
- instruct in specialist skills, like watersports or climbing
- make sure all equipment and facilities are safe
- deal with any incidents and accidents
Working environment
You could work at an activity centre or in the countryside.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- leadership skills
- the ability to teach people how to do something
- patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- physical fitness and endurance
- knowledge of public safety and security
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a outdoor activities instructor
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
- doing specialist courses approved by national sporting bodies
University
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like:
- outdoor adventure education
- adventure sports science
- outdoor leadership
- outdoors learning
Subjects like physical education, coaching and sports development are also useful for getting into this career.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
College
You could take a college course to learn some of the skills and knowledge needed for this job. This may help when looking for work as a trainee outdoor leader.
Courses include:
- sport and outdoor activities
- education and training - outdoor learning
- sport and active leisure
You'll also need a coaching or instructor qualification approved by the relevant national governing body for the sports or activities you want to teach.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an activity centre or outdoors adventure organisation.
For example:
- Outdoor Activity Instructor Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
- Outdoor Learning Specialist Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship
These apprenticeships take between 1 and 2 years to complete and combine on-the-job training with study.
Entry requirements
Employers will set their own entry requirements.
Volunteering
The key to finding a job is to get plenty of work experience. It will give you a better understanding of the role, and the chance to make contacts who may help you to find paid work.
You could:
- do a Duke of Edinburgh award
- join sports and activity clubs
- volunteer at outdoor activities centres
- work with a mountain rescue team
- volunteer with charities that provide young people with outdoor learning opportunities
Direct application
You can apply directly to employers if you've got relevant skills and experience.
Experience can be from:
- youth work
- teaching
- sports coaching
- physical training instruction, for example, in the armed forces
Other routes
You could complete qualifications through sports or activity clubs, an accredited outdoor education centre, or a national governing body.
Examples of instructor qualifications include:
- Mountain Training England Award in Mountain Leadership
- British Canoe Awarding Body Certificate in Coaching Paddlesport
- UK Snowsport Coaching Scheme
You'll usually need at least 12 months' experience in an activity before you take an award. Check with the relevant national governing body for details of their courses and qualifications.
Restrictions and requirements
You'll need to:
- be over 18 years of age
- have a life-saving certificate if you instruct water-based activities
- have a first aid certificate
- pass enhanced background checks
Career path and progression
With experience, you could move into activity team supervision or site management. You could also teach on programmes to develop trainee instructors.
You could do training in extra sports and activities to broaden your skills and potential job opportunities.
You might specialise in working with particular groups, for example:
- school children
- disabled people
- young people at risk of falling out of education
You could also work freelance or set up your own outdoor activities company.
Career tips
Some jobs are seasonal, for example from February to November. It's important to check what type of contract is being offered when looking at job vacancies.
Professional and industry bodies
You could join the Institute for Outdoor Learning , for professional development training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
Guides for this industry
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