The range of benefits outdoor experiences can bring are being increasingly recognised, and as a result the outdoor sector is growing. This creates fantastic career opportunities for individuals passionate about the outdoors, and emphasises to outdoor industry employers the importance of building a dedicated, skilled and enthusiastic workforce. How an outdoor instructor approaches teaching can have a significant impact on the experience of participants, it is therefore essential that employers equip their staff with the right skills and training. Outdoor education is about the people, the place and the activity - and an outdoor education apprenticeship helps learners understand the importance of all three and how they connect. The importance of the outdoor industry cannot be underestimated, outdoor activities can have a significant positive impact on mental and physical health and are therefore hugely rewarding for both instructors and participants. Whether learners are new to the industry or experienced employees, our variety of apprenticeships provide learners of all levels with the skills they need to succeed.
What does an Outdoor Learning professional do?
As an outdoor learning professional, you’ll be responsible for leading educational activities outside. Our outdoor learning specialist apprenticeship offers programmes that align with educational standards and ensure participant safety. You will teach necessary outdoor skills and knowledge to encourage personal growth, teamwork, problem-solving, and more.
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The benefits
Employer benefits
Apprenticeships allow employers to shape their workforce based on their specific needs. By providing targeted training and hands-on experience, employers can develop a team of skilled and competent workers who are aligned with their business goals.
Outdoor Education apprenticeships equip employers with the tools to build a team suited to the demands of the outdoor education sector. By providing hands-on training customised to real-world challenges in outdoor education, employers cultivate skilled and capable staff aligned with their organization’s mission.
- Outdoor apprenticeships are accessible for all companies large or small, and come with flexible funding. From activity leaders to pursuits managers, we can help shape your apprentices with the skills they need.
- Outdoor education apprenticeships help fill specific skills gaps with roles like activity leaders, learning coordinators, and outdoor instructors.
- Apprenticeships support staff retention due to the appeal of working outdoors and could hold the key to sustainable employment and team longevity.
- Outdoor education apprenticeships attract highly motivated individuals who have a passion for education young people in the great outdoors.
- Providing career advancement opportunities within the outdoor education setting that can benefit your work culture and provide a testament of strength and employee interest to your company.
- Outdoor education apprenticeships offer custom training in skills such as outdoor risk assessment, safety protocols, and more so employees can excel in their role.
- Outdoor education apprenticeships offer invaluable, high-quality training to help you build a strong and loyal workforce with highly trained apprentices.
Apprentice benefits
Agricultural and Farming Apprenticeships offer a range of benefits for employees which can enhance their skills, career opportunities, and personal development.
Outdoor Education apprenticeships offer a range of benefits for employees which can enhance their skills, and equip them with the experience, industry knowledge, and qualifications they need to progress in this sector.
- You’ll gain valuable qualifications and skills to excel in roles like outdoor activity instructors, activity leaders, and more, all while earning a salary and not paying tuition fees.
- In the outdoor industry, no two days are the same. You’ll get to participate in a range of exciting and adventurous activities every day. A career in the outdoors is a full-filling way of life.
- Working as an outdoor education apprentice, you will benefit from a rich work environment, spending every day in nature will improve your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Outdoor education is highly rewarding, you’ll get to improve the health and wellbeing of others and extend their personal horizons by helping people appreciate and understand the world around them.
- Learn valuable transferable skills specific to the outdoor education sector such as practical problem solving, teamwork and leadership.
- An outdoor education apprenticeship can set you up for an exciting, and sustainable career with excellent progression routes, whether you are looking to study further or climb the ranks.
- Through your apprenticeship you will have a mentor who can guide and advise you, give you feedback and help you decide what are the best steps for advancing in your hospitality career.
- You will benefit from a combination of workplace learning and classroom learning, and through STS your employer may opt to offer you an added value experiential learning course at one of our 12 training centres.
- You will experience high-quality outdoor education training by experienced trainers, setting you up for varied career opportunities in the future.
The facts
85%
of adults report that being in nature makes them happy
37,000
premature deaths are linked to physical inactivity in the UK
£22bn
is how much outdoor recreation is worth to the UK economy
3bn
is the increase in the number of outdoor-related activities participated in across the UK between 2011 and 2016.
Apprenticeship standards
Our outdoor education apprenticeships
Outdoor activity instructor apprenticeships
An Outdoor Activity Instructor guides children and adults in activities like canoeing, sailing, climbing, surfing, cycling, and more. They operate under supervision in specific venues and weather conditions, adhering to strict procedures.
Outdoor learning specialist apprenticeships
The primary role of an Outdoor Learning Specialist is to design, plan, and deliver programs that foster learning and change through outdoor activities. These programs aim to enhance educational achievement, personal and social development, health and wellbeing, nature connection, team cohesion, and practical skills. In small businesses, learning specialists handle all duties, while in larger ones, they may focus on specific areas like program delivery, customer management, team support, or safety.
Community activator coach apprenticeships
The Community Activator Coach supports roles like Activator, Sports Coach, Activity Leader, and Outreach Officer, primarily working with inactive groups to promote physical activity. Employed by charities, local authorities, sports clubs, and youth agencies, they deliver fun, inclusive activities to improve community health and wellbeing. They understand and engage with various customer groups, particularly inactive or sedentary individuals, fostering positive change through sport. Often collaborating with youth workers, police, and health agencies, they aim to make neighbourhoods safer and residents healthier. This role demands flexibility, with varied hours including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
The best fit
An outdoor education apprenticeship is a great fit for those who:
- are passionate about the outdoors, teaching, and adventurous activities.
- love the idea of using the outdoors to make a positive difference to others.
- are team-orientated, sociable, outgoing and understanding.
- respect the environment and recognise the importance of safety procedures.
Career opportunities
An outdoor education apprenticeship will provide the right skills and behaviours to work in a variety of roles, to name a few;
- Outdoor Activity Instructor/ Leader
- Outdoor Pursuits Manager
- Training and Development Manager
FAQS
The value of building outdoor experiences into an expanding pool of apprenticeship opportunities
How apprenticeships are becoming widely recognised as all-round beneficial
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