Outdoor Activity Leader Apprentice
CRS ADVENTURES LTD
DEVON (TQ13 7NP)
Closes on Saturday 31 January 2026
Posted on 15 December 2025
Contents
Summary
You will be required to assist and deliver a range of activities including high roped activities, climbing, canoe/kayaking, and caving. The post will also require the candidate to work in numerous areas of the business to gain an all-round knowledge of activity center-based work.
- 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
-
Weekly hours/shifts will vary
40 hours a week
- Start date
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Monday 9 February 2026
- 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
This post is for an apprentice multi activity instructor. You will be required to assist and deliver a range of activities including high roped activities, climbing, canoe/kayaking, and caving. The post will also require the candidate to work in numerous areas of the business to gain an all-round knowledge of activity center-based work. All staff are expected to take their share of cleaning and maintenance work. Training is given in all areas as part of the position.
Duties will include:
- Assisting with activities leading to running on your own
- Assisting with the storage, maintenance and upkeep of equipment and activity areas
- Liaising with customers and other members of staff
Where you'll work
RIVER DART COUNTRY PARK
ASHBURTON
NEWTON ABBOT
DEVON
TQ13 7NP
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
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
12 – 15-month Intermediate Apprenticeship in Activity Leadership. You will be trained to assist / deliver a range of outdoor and adventure activities as well as learn about the general running of a busy outdoor activity centre. Some training may depend on prior experience.
- Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Activity Leadership
- Level 2 Functional Skills English if required
- Level 2 Functional Skills maths if required
- Outdoor First Aid qualification
- A range of NGB awards dependent upon individual and employer aspirations
These may be the following:
- Paddle sport Instructor
- FSRT
- CWA
- Walking qualifications
- Caving qualifications
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Customer care skills
- Presentation skills
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Enthusiasm
Other requirements
Important Other Information
An essential part of working in the outdoor and active leisure industries is taking your own skills development seriously. This means that successful candidates are usually those who can show a clear commitment to improving their personal skills in activities and working towards coaching awards.
Reality Check
A job in the outdoor and active leisure industry is an exciting and rewarding one, but you need to be ready to get totally involved. This will mean being flexible over hours - we often work evenings or weekends - and flexible over roles - we are as likely to be on the end of a brush or mop as we are on the end of a rope!
Ask lots of questions to make sure you know what to expect from this varied and exciting opportunity.
About this employer
CRS Adventures is a family run outdoor activities centre run by the Sell family that has an established reputation as the place to go for all your adventurous activity needs. We specialise in a variety of traditional ‘outdoor activities‘ as well as specialist programmes for individuals, families, schools, youth groups and corporate events offer tailor made packages for both on and off-site activities.
After this apprenticeship
- Potential to move on to an Advanced Apprenticeship, or a full-time instructor role
- Links with other outdoor providers, centres and clubs will enhance future opportunities
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000005242.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 31 January 2026
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