Apprentice Outdoor Activity Instructor

Adventure Okehampton

DEVON (EX20 1EW)

Closes on Friday 16 January 2026

Posted on 26 November 2025

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Summary

As an Apprentice Instructor, you will be given training in a variety of in-house activities, including but not limited to; Axe throwing, Archery, Grass Sledging, Climbing Wall, Low Ropes, Campfire, Guided Walk & Team Games, as well as working towards various National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications.

Wage

£14,918.80 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)

Salary Details: Apprenticeship National Minimum Wage (the wage will increase as you gain NGB qualifications)

Training course
Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
Hours
Hours of work vary throughout the year, with our busiest period in June & July and quietest period through the winter where we reduce to part-time hours. We get paid monthly for the hours we work and we guarantee a minimum of 3 days work per week.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 April 2026

Duration

1 year

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

  • Attend and engage is training sessions.
  • Complete background theory work, as assigned by your course tutor.
  • Utilise spare time and Peers, to increase your own level of personal competence in each activity i.e. practice!
  • Ensure that you are fully informed, up-to-date and adhering to, Adventure Okehampton Risk Assessments and Operating Procedures.
  • Assist qualified staff in the delivery of activities.

Where you'll work

OKEHAMPTON YOUTH HOSTEL
KLONDYKE ROAD
OKEHAMPTON
DEVON
EX20 1EW

Training

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

Training provider

CHANNEL TRAINING 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

As an Apprentice Outdoor Activity Instructor on a Level 3 apprenticeship, you will be given training in a variety of in-house activities, including but not limited to; Axe throwing, Archery, Grass Sledging, Climbing Wall, Low Ropes, Campfire, Guided Walk & Team Games, as well as working towards various National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications. You'll also complete Functional Skills in English and maths if required.

We aim to provide all staff with a 2 day outdoor 1st aid qualification and Level 1 Mountain bike instructor award scheme (MIAS) training & assessment.  In addition, working with Channel Training you will set your own goals to train towards other qualifications of your choice. 

You will assist our existing instructors in the delivery of these activities to groups, before yourself, taking the lead role. Once competent you will be signed off to lead the activity unsupervised. You will also take on the school duty role, ensuring that group leaders are informed and looked after throughout their stay. 

Further Duties 

• Maintain the cleanliness of store rooms and communal areas. 

• Undertake any training and professional development as and when required. 

• Assist in any other related site-work that arises. 

• Carry out recorded checks on equipment. 

• Run the on-site tuck-shop. 

Other Skills/Attributes 

The role of outdoor instructor isn’t a job, it’s a way of life. You don’t work with colleagues; you work with friends. Attitude is everything and we choose to have fun every day and enjoy what we do. 

You must be: 

  • Pro-active and have a diligent organised approach to tasks. 
  • Adaptable and dynamic in your problem-solving skills. 
  • Motivated and positive whatever the weather 
  • Open to the ideas of others – even if it’s the work experience kid coming up with the new ideas! 

Please Note: This description is not intended to establish a total definition of the job, but an outline of the duties. We all help each other in all departments so you may find yourself helping with anything from bike hire to pot wash, to bed making. 

We have a limited supply of on-site accommodation. This is free of charge in exchange for some warden duties, including but not limited to: 

Overnight emergency call 
Evening shut-down of the building
Basic Reception duties
Tuck Shop 

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade D/3)
  • Maths (grade D / 3)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

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

About this employer

Adventure Okehampton is an outdoor adventure center located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park in Devon, that provides a wide variety of activities for all ages.

https://adventureokehampton.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

We aim to set our apprentices up for a career in the outdoors, not only gaining the essential entry level NGB’s but also lots of essential group experience. Since 2021, 100% of our apprentices have remained to complete a minimum of 1 more season. 2 former apprentices are currently part of our activity management team.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CHANNEL TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000002611.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 16 January 2026

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