Apprentice Outdoor Activity Instructor

Summary

The apprentice will obtain the qualifications and skills needed to support the delivery of outdoor adventure/education activities to a wide range of customer groups throughout the Wiltshire area. Activities will range from SEND work, to corporate, Schools and DofE. You will be equipped to work across our industry after you finish this course.

Wage

£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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This salary is set for the first 12 months of the apprenticeship.

Training course

Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

Hours

The candidate will normally work 5 days per week. (There may be some exceptions during peak season) This will include weekends. A typical day will run from 8am - 4pm, however some are much longer with travel and set up etc.

37 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

4

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

The Apprentice will gain the experience and skills needed to become an Outdoor Instructor in the Outdoor Adventure/Education Industry.

This role involves:

Learning the set skills and obtaining the relevant qualifications to safely deliver quality outdoor activity sessions (canoeing, walking, ropes course and archery)
Learning the group management skills to deliver engaging sessions.
The Apprentice will work alongside a team, mainly based at the Thoulstone Park, working with tourists and school children.
Other tasks involve the maintenance of kit, building of new activities / resources and evolution of sessions delivered (this may be in written form).

Where you'll work

Thoulstone Park
Chapmanslade
Westbury
Wiltshire
BA13 4AQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

LOCOMOTIVATION LTD.

Your training course

Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Find information on: the activity type and timings; outcome requirements; participant age; medical information; equipment and resourcing allocation; venue; weather conditions.
Prepare sessions to achieve the required outcomesg. enjoyment, thrill seeking, personal or team challenges, acquisition of new knowledge or skills.
Select methods to meet all participant needs g. visual impairment, mental and physical ability.
Select methods to respond to potential changes in the environmentg. wind increasing in a sailing session or rain making conditions slippery underfoot.
Collect appropriate equipment and resources.
Ensure the venue is set-up and ready to be used.
Maintain self and group safety when delivering the session.
Deliver an effective session briefing with clear instruction and following organisational procedures.
Perform a competent demonstration of the skills required for the activity or subject at the appropriate level for the session.
Provide on-going instruction to encourage learning and progression.
Follow organisational operating procedures to adapt to changes in the environment. E.g. thunderstorm, a wind shift to offshore in a surfing session.
Select and implement organisational procedures to deal with routine problems.g. broken equipment.
Provide basic First Aid to respond to accidents in a safe, prompt and effective manner. e.g. injured participant.
Initiate organisational procedures to summon support in the case of incidents or accidents.
Use the organisations set approaches for learning delivery.
Support individual and group engagement and participation in the session g. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace.
Change the pace of the session to match participants’ speed of learning.
Identify and support the individual participants’ needs g. give personal attention, active listening, allow additional time, encouragement.
Apply simple techniques to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour g. redirection, increasing responsibility.
Use simple review techniques to check the achievement of required outcomes e.g. thumbs up; rounds; memorable moments.
Signpost participants to progression routes.
Complete a session within time, including the restoration of the venue, return of equipment and resources and any logging or recording requirements.
Use participant feedback and own reflection to suggest improvements to sessions.
Communicate with customers and colleagues in a clear, concise and effective manner.
Handle information in a way that conforms to policy and protects data.
Assist with the development and preparation of resources and support colleagues delivering sessions
Actively encourage whole group participation and promote equality and diversity.
Undertake activities to further develop knowledge and personal skills.
Reflect on own performance and make refinements.

Your training plan

All training will take place at your normal place of work, during your normal working hours. In addition to achieving your Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship we will aim for you to gain the following National Governing Body qualifications:

Lowland Leader – MTA
Paddle sport Safety and Rescue Course – Paddle UK
Paddle sport Instructor – Paddle UK
Archery Leader – UK Archery
16 Hour Outdoor First Aid
Level 2 Safeguarding

In House opportunities:

Learn to lead climb
High Ropes Instructor
Low Ropes Instructor
Team Challenge
Pioneering
Battle Archery
Laser Tag and more

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or C)
Maths (grade 4 or C)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Problem solving skills
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience
Physical fitness

Other requirements

We DO NOT have any on site accommodation. You will need to live or rent a room locally. It is strongly desirable to be able to drive, or consistently get to our remote work places on time. A week looks like on average 37 hours. Though during the winter this is likely to be lower, and over the summer significantly higher at times. 1 day a week will be dedicated to training over the winter as a minimum, though large blocks will also be assigned to ensure you are up to speed ready for the summer season.

About this company

A dynamic Christian organisation delivering outdoor learning activities across the Wiltshire/Somerset area. We have vast experience in working with a wide range of ages and abilities, from small children to corporate groups, and extensive experience in working with young people with challenging behaviour. We love to 'Go wild!' in Wiltshire, Bath and North East Somerset - offering truly original outdoor adventure activities that challenge, develop, are educational and fun!

http://www.wolt.org.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Upon completion the candidate will be qualified to look at full time instructor positions potentially at WOLT or further afield and even abroad.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is: