Outdoor activities instructors (sometimes called outdoor pursuits instructors) teach people of all ages to participate safely in outdoor activities such as hill walking, climbing, orienteering, abseiling and canoeing.

Activities tend to be offered in one or more of the following contexts:

• outdoor recreation – leading outdoor activity sessions and trips or instructing people in their chosen outdoor pursuit
• outdoor education – using experiences and adventure activities to provide opportunities to learn about the environment
• outdoor training – using outdoor activities alongside other training methods to help people realise their potential either as individuals or as part of a team eg as part of corporate training.

Outdoor activity courses vary in length from one day to longer courses which are often residential, and may involve camping.

Instructors' duties include planning and preparation of activities which meet the needs, abilities and experience of each group; giving briefings, advice and demonstrations to participants; and sometimes arranging social activities. They must pay close attention to the health, safety and well-being of participants, which involves ensuring all equipment and facilities are safe, instructing participants in safety procedures, and monitoring weather conditions, assessing hazards and managing risks.

Instructors may have to deal with accidents, including reporting and recording, and with emotional upsets.

Hours and Environment

Working hours are likely to be long and irregular, including evenings, weekends and public holidays. A number of jobs are seasonal and part-time work is common.

The work is physically demanding, and usually involves being outside in all weathers. Instructors may work in areas of remote or open countryside with natural features such as mountains, caves, rivers and lakes, or in urban-based outdoor education with facilities such as dry ski slopes, indoor climbing walls and canals.

A driving licence which meets DVLA requirements for driving minibuses will be useful, and sometimes essential.

Skills and Interests

To be an outdoor activities instructor you should:

• have a high level of competence in the activities you will be leading
• have physical stamina and be prepared to work outside in all weather conditions
• be able to lead and manage groups of people
• have the ability to give clear, articulate instructions
• be able to inspire confidence and encourage participants, some of whom may be nervous or scared
• have good organisational skills
• have the ability to remain calm in difficult or dangerous situations
• have a responsible attitude and be highly safety-conscious
• be able to relate well to people of all ages and from all backgrounds, and be committed to equality of opportunity
• enjoy working in a team but be able to use your own initiative
• be firm and able to deal with challenging behaviour when necessary
• be patient and have a good sense of humour.

Entry

Outdoor activities instructors usually need to be at least 18 (21 if required to drive a minibus) and should be proficient in at least two outdoor activities (although the more activities you can offer the better), and hold proficiency and instructor awards which are approved by the relevant national governing body (NGB) for each sport/activity.

Some employers offer volunteer or trainee positions, which could enable you to gain qualifications whilst working. You will need to have an active interest in outdoor activities, and be prepared to volunteer or accept a low salary. Involvement in an area such as youth work may also be useful.

It can be an advantage to be a member of an activity club, to have experience such as planning expeditions, or to have worked for organisations such as adventure holiday/activity companies and leisure centres.

The Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) website has an online version of the Outdoor Source Book, which has links to outdoor activity, adventure and learning providers as well as organisations offering training for outdoor jobs and activities. See Further Information for contact details.

Qualifications fall into three main categories:

• instructing/coaching qualifications for each activity
• academic qualifications (sometimes incorporating activity-specific awards)
• vocational qualifications gained as part of work-based training.

Details of the first two of these can be found in this section, and of vocational qualifications in the Training section.

Instructing/coaching qualifications for each activity
To study for NGB awards, no formal academic qualifications are needed but you must usually be aged over 18 (20 for some qualifications) and have at least 12 months' experience in the activity. The awards may be offered through clubs you are involved in, at accredited outdoor education centres, or as part of some full-time courses in sport, leisure and recreation. Contact the NGB for your sport for details of courses and qualifications. Sports coach UK has a list of NGBs on their website – see Further Information for contact details.

Instructor awards include:

• Mountain Leaders Training Board (MLTB) Single Pitch Award – for supervising novices on single pitch crags and climbing walls
• MLTB Mountain Leader Award (Summer)
• MLTB Mountain Leader Award (Winter)
• Walking Group Leader Award
• British Canoe Union (BCU) Level 2 Coach Award (kayak, canoe or both)
• Royal Yachting Association (RYA) Dinghy Instructor or Coastal Skipper Award
• National Caving Association (NCA) Cave Leader Award
• British Orienteering Federation (BOF) Awards
• Ski Instructor and Snowboard Instructor qualifications.

A first aid and, for water-based sports, a life-saving certificate, will usually be needed.

A new national certificate, the UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC), is being developed by Sports Coach UK in partnership with the NGBs and other agencies including SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. This will be a five-level framework based on national standards, which will give coaches nationally recognised and transferable professional qualifications. Further details are on the Sports Coach UK and UKCC websites. See Further Information for contact details.

Academic qualifications (incorporating activity-specific awards)
NGB awards sometimes feature as part of relevant further education and degree courses. These courses may also include extended placements to help you practice your skills.

Relevant courses include:

• BTEC National Certificate/Diploma in Sport (Outdoor Education)
• BTEC HNC/HND in Sport and Exercise Sciences (Coaching and Leadership in Sport)
• foundation degrees in outdoor activities management or outdoor adventure management
• degrees in outdoor education or recreation
• postgraduate qualifications in outdoor education or development.

Please check with colleges or universities for their entry requirements.

For information about foundation degrees see Foundation Degree Forward

To search for colleges and universities offering foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees see Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Anyone intending to work with children or vulnerable adults must provide information about criminal convictions, even those normally considered 'spent'. A criminal record does not automatically prevent entry to the career.

The Sports Leaders UK Level 2 Award in Basic Expedition Leadership trains and qualifies teachers, youth workers and other members of the community to:

• lead groups in lowland areas
• have responsibility for the care of others when outdoors including day journeys
• organise base and mobile camps.

It does not qualify people to lead groups in remote or mountainous areas.

The award is the minimum qualification required by many local authorities and Operating Authorities of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme to train and lead groups in the expedition section of the Bronze and Silver Awards. Details can be found on the Sports Leaders UK website. Please see the Further Information section for contact details.

Some instructors have previously had experience in teaching, youth work, sports coaching, training or as physical training instructors in the armed forces.

Training

Vocational qualifications gained as part of work-based training
NVQs/SVQS are available in Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations - you could work towards Level 2 in Outdoor Activity Leadership, and Level 3 in Outdoor Education, Outdoor Development Training or Outdoor Recreation.

Apprenticeships may be available for those under the age of 24. In England these are currently Apprenticeships (level 2) and Advanced Apprenticeships (level 3). To find out more about these, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships may be different in other areas. For further information see Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland

St. Martin's College, Ambleside, in partnership with leading providers within Cumbria, offers a graduate apprenticeship programme to graduates seeking to develop careers in Outdoor Education and Development Training. All graduate apprentices receive a subsistence grant whilst on the programme, complete a 7 - 10 month work placement, and work towards NVQs at level 3 and a minimum of two NGB awards. Contact details for the college are in the Further Information section.

Experienced outdoor activities instructors can apply for professional accreditation through the Institute of Outdoor Learning's Accredited Practitioner Scheme (APIOL). See the IOL website for information – contact details in Further Information.

Opportunities

Outdoor activities instructors are employed by local authorities, charitable organisations and commercial firms. There may be opportunities to work overseas.

In addition to teaching and youth work, other professions such as the probation and prison services, social work and mental health make use of the outdoors. Those with professional training in one of these areas may undertake a postgraduate outdoor education course in order to specialise in outdoor education.

Experienced instructors may become self-employed.

Vacancies for trainees and qualified instructors can be found in newspapers, specialist magazines and websites such as IOL and Outdoorstaff . The IOL, British Activity Holiday Association, Association of Heads of Outdoor Education Centres and Adventure Activities Licensing Authority websites have links to outdoor organisations. These often list vacancies on their websites. See Further Information for contact details.

Annual Income

Figures are only intended as a guideline.

Starting salaries are around £10,000 a year.
Experienced instructors are likely to earn between £12,000 and £18,000.
Senior instructors earn around £25,000.

Accommodation and food may be provided.

Further information

Castlewood House
77-91 New Oxford Street
London
WC1A 1PX
Advice line: 08000 933300 Hackthorpe Hall
Hackthorpe
Penrith
Cumbria
CA10 2HX The Barn
Plumpton Old Hall
Plumpton
Penrith
Cumbria
CA11 9NP
Tel: 01768 885800 Morritt House
58 Station Approach
South Ruislip
HA4 6SA
Tel: 020 8842 1292 Tel: 01524 384384 114 Cardigan Road
Headingley
Leeds
LS6 3BJ
Tel: 0113 274 4802