Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship Level 3
SKERN LODGE LTD
Bideford (EX39 1NG)
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)
Posted on 7 November 2025
Contents
Summary
This is an excellent opportunity for someone wishing to pursue a career in outdoor education. An opportunity to learn from highly experienced mentors, generous Apprenticeship hourly rate and an opportunity to develop within a well-resourced and established setting with up-to-date equipment and infrastructure.
- Wage
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£15,704 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
- Hours
-
A rota basis, Monday to Sunday including evening work.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 2 March 2026
- Duration
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1 year
- Positions available
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10
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
Two of the best-known outdoor centres in Devon, Skern Lodge and the Ultimate Activity Centre which are both located near Bideford in Devon in an area of outstanding natural beauty and world-famous coast.
The centres are well positioned to offer water sports, as well as having impressive outdoor facilities. Skern Lodge and UAC provide a diverse range of outdoor activity/ education opportunities with a dedicated state of the art activity provision for all curriculum stages.
Main duties include:
- Supporting with planning and preparing for activities, demonstrating and instructing, with ability to motivate groups and individuals with centre related activity, both outdoor and indoor.
- Carrying out safety checks and explaining safety procedures and requirements to both groups and individuals.
- Assessing and manging risk, promoting inclusion with whole group participation whilst working to inspire environmental stewardship.
- Supporting team and working with centre staff on a day-to-day basis in order to facilitate the centre’s offer to a wide range of groups and individuals.
Key Behaviours:
- Strong communication skills, ability to work as a team worker, patience, empathy, enthusiasm.
- Good organisational skills.
- Actively involved in outdoor pursuits/activities.
The position comes with the option to be accommodated on site for the season which provides a considerable benefit in kind.
Staff will also have meals provided as part of their working arrangement.
Provisional start date March 2026 (fixed term for 9 months)
Average of 40 hours per week. Working Monday to Sunday including evening working.
Where you'll work
Skern Lodge, Watertown
Bideford
EX39 1NG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SKERN LODGE LIMITED
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.
Training schedule
- Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship
- Functional Skills maths and English if required.
- Additional Support: Mentoring, shadowing, supervision and NGBs related to the national standard.
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE or equivalent in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Patience
- Physical fitness
Other requirements
This is an active role so you must be in good physical health.
About this employer
Based in Appledore, North Devon we have been delivering outdoor activities, experiential learning and development training since 1976. We teach new skills, build confidence, fulfil your sense of adventure, and ensure you have boatloads of fun!
After this apprenticeship
For the right person, upon successful completion of your level 3, there is continuity of employment and a potential opportunity to progress to Level 5.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SKERN LODGE LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000350273.
Apply now
Closes in 22 days (Sunday 30 November 2025)
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