Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprentice

Summary

Outdoor learning and adventure on the edge of the Brecon Beacons! Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust is looking for committed and enthusiastic individuals to join our team of outdoor professionals, delivering high quality outdoor learning experiences to children and young people.

Wage

£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

Hours

40 hours a week over 5 days. Regular evening, and some weekend working. Shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Monday 15 September 2025

Duration

1 year 1 month

Positions available

2

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

To observe and assist experienced Outdoor Learning Tutors delivering activity sessions including caving, climbing, canoeing, hill walking, stand-up paddleboarding, and gorge walking and a range of other activities
Helping to maintain activity equipment
Assisting the team with daily cleaning, tidying and catering tasks
Maintaining a high standard of health and safety
Attending staff planning meetings
Seeking out additional learning opportunities to diversify their experience
Completing portfolio tasks to a high standard
Acting as a role model for children and young people

Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the management team to ensure the ongoing operational success of the centre and the delivery of excellent customer experiences.

Where you'll work

THE COURT HOUSE
LONGTOWN
HEREFORD
HR2 0LD

Training

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

College or training organisation

CHANNEL TRAINING LIMITED

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

During this 13-month apprenticeship you will be working towards the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship, National Governing Body qualifications and personal proficiency awards, whilst gaining valuable work place experience.

Example qualifications include:

Paddle Sport Instructor Award
Climbing Wall Instructor Training
Hill and Moorland Leader Training
Caving Leader Training
Archery Leader
Outdoor First Aid
In-house assessment: Zip Wire, Sky Trek, Low Ropes Course, Orienteering and more

Our 120-bed residential centre, set in 16 acres of private grounds, is in the beautiful Herefordshire village of Longtown on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. We work with over 2500 children people every year, providing residential and day courses for schools, youth groups and organisations working with young people with additional needs.

Our offsite activities include gorge walking, canoeing, hill walking, caving, and rock climbing. We also have a wide range of onsite activities including a high ropes course, zipwire, leap of faith, climbing tower, archery range and team challenges.

Skills and qualifications:

Essential:

18 years and under require Functional skills 2 Maths and English
Experience of a range of different outdoor activities and a desire to develop your personal skills
An interest in instructing and coaching children and young people

Desirable:

19 years and over Functional skills 2 Maths and English is desirable but not essential
Personal proficiency in a range of outdoor activities
Experience of working with children and young people

Requirements

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
Organisation skills
Customer care skills
Team working
Initiative
Non judgemental
Physical fitness

Other requirements

En-suite accommodation with access to a shared kitchen is available at a subsidised rate and centre meals are available to all staff on their working days. The Longtown Team We have a team of around 14 people, including apprentices, with some living onsite and others living in neighbouring towns and villages. We also have a network of 8-10 freelance instructors. As we are a relatively small team, it is important that we work closely together and support each other to deliver the best customer experience we can. Which is why everyone helps out in different departments when required.

About this company

Longtown Outdoor Learning Centre is a multi-activity outdoor centre situated on the Herefordshire and Monmouthshire border. We are all about challenging outdoor adventure activities in and around the Brecon Beacons National Park and Black Mountains from our warm and comfortable village base. Our multi-activity courses aim to promote resilience, self-confidence, consideration for others, caring for the environment and the benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle. This comes from enjoying the successes achieved through personal endeavour and working together, in wild and beautiful landscapes.

https://longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Successful apprentices can apply for one of our seasonal Activity Instructor roles or work for us as a self-employed Freelance Instructor. We have a culture of continual professional development, encouraging our team to broaden their qualification portfolio whilst developing essential facilitation skills to deliver high quality outdoor learning.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHANNEL TRAINING LIMITED

Giles Smith

recruitment@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk

01873860225

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000321958.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 4 July 2025

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

Download, complete and return your application form to; recruitment@longtownoutdoorlearning.co.uk

Cookies on Find an apprenticeship

Contents