Apprentice Outdoor Activity Instructor
REACH OUTDOORS LIMITED
DEVON, TQ4 6LP
Closes in 19 days (Sunday 12 January)
Posted on 13 December 2024
Contents
Summary
As an apprentice you will complete a large amount of training before the peak season begins in May. Thereafter your role will be to assist Reach Outdoors in the delivery of its operations as an outdoor adventure provider throughout the year. You will also have some additional operational responsibilities which may include some overnight duties.
- Annual wage
-
£11,778 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
You will earn £7.55 p/h, higher than the current apprenticeship minimum wage. This will increase to the national minimum wage after 12 months in post.
- Training course
- Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
- Hours
-
Core hours are 8:30 - 17:00. Will include some weekends but not every weekend. Each weekly rota will be arranged a fortnight in advance. Minimum of 30 hours a week with 30 mins for lunch & likeliness of increasing to 37.5 hours a week in peak season.
30 hours a week
- Possible start date
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Tuesday 4 February
- Duration
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1 year
- Positions available
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3
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
Main Responsibilities:
- Assisting on adventurous activity sessions for a range of clients including, Scouts, Schools, Adult groups, Families and Youth groups.
- Assist in the delivery of Reach Outdoors activity clubs.
- Assist in the delivery of adventure residentials.
- Ensure Reach Outdoors equipment is maintained to a high standard and is fit for purpose at all times.
- Maintain Reach Outdoors Premises and vehicles to a high standard.
General Responsibilities:
- Ensure the safe delivery of adventurous activities in line with Reach Outdoors standard operating procedures at all times.
- Promote Reach Outdoors in a positive light and be an advocate for positive outdoor engagement to encourage and support youth development in the outdoors.
- Be involved in the monitoring and recording of soft and hard outcomes as required by the Reach Outdoors Directors.
- Drive company vehicles to delivery locations if suitably qualified.
As an apprentice you will aim to meet the session outcomes by supporting participants to gain new skills and knowledge, take on personal and team challenges, and have fun trying new activities. You will close the session by handing over participants, returning resources and equipment, and logging any issues. You will exercise autonomy and judgement to complete tasks and call for backup support for any incidents that might occur.
Where you’ll work
SEASHORE CENTRE
TANNERS ROAD
PAIGNTON
DEVON
TQ4 6LP
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
Your training course
Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)
Equal to A level
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.
Your training plan
Paddle UK Sea kayak award, Paddle UK SUP sheltered Water Award, Paddle UK SUP Tidal Leader Award, 16 hr Outdoor 1st aid Qualification, Mountain Training UK Climbing Walls Instructor award, National Coasteering Charter Guide Training, Safe Guarding, In addition to the NGB awards you will also complete a large number of activity leadership training including Team Building, Raft Building, Bushcraft, Archery, Orienteering, Gorge Scrambling.
You will also work towards the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor apprenticeship qualification with South Devon College. Paid, off the job training will consist of 20% of your employment.
What Will I learn at College?
- Preparing for sessions by gathering information about the participants and resources
- Delivering sessions by briefing participants, maintaining safety and providing ongoing instruction and encouragement
- Meeting session outcomes
- Closing the session by handing over participants, returning resources and equipment, and logging any issues
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade 4)
- Maths (grade 4)
Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Initiative
About this company
Reach Outdoors are looking for enthusiastic apprentices to join our team of highly professional, fun and dedicated Outdoor Instructors. Based in beautiful South Devon you will spend most of your Summer taking people on journeys of discovery to the hidden gems of this corner of the UK. This is a great opportunity to work for an award winning company.
After this apprenticeship
- To develop your skills and potentially gain a full-time position.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
SOUTH DEVON COLLEGE
Benjamin Reynolds
benjaminreynolds@southdevon.ac.uk
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000291874.
Apply now
Closes in 19 days (Sunday 12 January)
When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
Complete the Employment Application Form at the bottom of this website before 12th January 2025.