Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship

an archer aiming at a set of targets

Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship
Overview

Role
Outdoor Activity Instructor
Level
3
Overview of Role
An Outdoor Activity Instructor supervises and guides children and adults in activities and pastimes such as canoeing, sailing, climbing, surfing, cycling, hillwalking, archery, bushcraft, rock pooling, geology, plant identification, habitat or wildlife walks at an introductory level. The main responsibility of an Outdoor Activity Instructor is to run a safe and enjoyable activity session.
Reference
ST0479
Duration
15 Months (13 months Practical Period of Training + 2 months for End Point Assessment)
Suitable for the following roles
Multi-Activity Leader, Environmental Education Tutor, Activity Instructor, Ranger, National Park Guide
Locations
Outdoor Adventure, Education Centres, Nature Reserves, National Parks
End Point Assessment (Awarding Organisation)
1st4Sport logo
Start Date
Flexible around the needs of the business
Progression
On completion, Outdoor Activity Instructors may be eligible to apply to be Registered Members of the Institute for Outdoor Learning to support their career development and progression.
Maximum Price

£6000

Prices are negotiable depending on the nature of the delivery model agreed.

Visit our Apprenticeship Funding page to see your options for funding.

Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship
Learning Goals

Apprentices will learn to

  • Prepare for the session - gather information about the participants and resources for the activity.
  • Deliver the session – brief participants, maintain safety, provide on-going instruction and encouragement.
  • Meet session outcome – support participants to achieve set outcome (such as new skills / knowledge, thrill seeking, personal or team challenge).
  • Close the session – hand-over participants, return resources and equipment, log any issues.

Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship
Content

Requirements - Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

All Outdoor Activity Instructors must have all of the following knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Preparing for sessions
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
How to collate and use information about the participants in order to run the session such as group size, age, mental and physical ability, and relevant medical information. Find information on: the activity type and timings; outcome requirements; participant age; medical information; equipment and resourcing allocation; venue; weather conditions.
How to meet desired outcomes of the session eg. recreation and enjoyment, increasing self-confidence, learning about a local habitat. Prepare sessions to achieve the required outcomesg. enjoyment, thrill seeking, personal or team challenges, acquisition of new knowledge or skills.
The approved options for adapting a session to accommodate predictable environmental changes. Select methods to meet all participant needs eg. visual impairment, mental and physical ability.
The organisation’s procedures and standards relevant to the session being delivered. Select methods to respond to potential changes in the environmentg. wind increasing in a sailing session or rain making conditions slippery underfoot.
Activity venue locations and access arrangements. Collect appropriate equipment and resources.
Ensure the venue is set-up and ready to be used.
Delivering sessions
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
The relevant operational procedures related to session delivery to meet Health & Safety, environmental sustainability, safeguarding and data protection requirements. Maintain self and group safety when delivering the session.
Why an appropriate activity briefing is important, what it needs to include and where to source the relevant information. Deliver an effective session briefing with clear instruction and following organisational procedures.
How to guide participants to the venue in a safe and efficient manner. Perform a competent demonstration of the skills required for the activity or subject at the appropriate level for the session.
Information about the training activity or subject at the required level to deliver the session. Provide on-going instruction to encourage learning and progression.
Basic good practice protocols and techniques for giving instructions and demonstrationsg. visual, verbal. Follow organisational operating procedures to adapt to changes in the environment. E.g. thunderstorm, a wind shift to offshore in a surfing session.
How to identify hazards in the environment they are working and the dynamic changes that may occur Select and implement organisational procedures to deal with routine problems.g. broken equipment.
How to minimise environmental impact and support sustainability eg. picking up litter, not broadening paths. Provide basic First Aid to respond to accidents in a safe, prompt and effective manner. e.g. injured participant.
How to respond to problems: A grasp of common problems and issues related to outdoor working in general, and the businesses specific products offering. Initiate organisational procedures to summon support in the case of incidents or accidents.
How to respond to and deal with incidents or accidents that may occur during the session.
Meeting session outcomes
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
The organisations set approaches for instructing or teaching each activity in order to meet the defined outcomes of each session. Use the organisations set approaches for learning delivery.
Simple techniques to ensure engagement and participation by all eg. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace. Support individual and group engagement and participation in the session eg. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace.
How to use open questions and observation to check understanding and progression of learning. Change the pace of the session to match participants’ speed of learning.
How to recognise participants that have additional support requirements eg. nervousness, short attention span, disengagement. Identify and support the individual participants’ needs eg. give personal attention, active listening, allow additional time, encouragement.
Simple techniques for dealing with conflict and challenging behaviours. Apply simple techniques to deal with conflict and challenging behaviour eg. redirection, increasing responsibility.
Simple techniques and questioning styles to aid review of sessions in meeting required outcomes. Use simple review techniques to check the achievement of required outcomes e.g. thumbs up; rounds; memorable moments.
Completing sessions
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
How the venue should be left and equipment and resources returned - including adherence to any reporting policies. 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.
Organisation requirements
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
How the organisation, and profession, should be represented to include knowledge of the breadth and range of the organisations products and operating standards. Communicate with customers and colleagues in a clear, concise and effective manner.
The organisation’s expectations on how to engage and communicate with participants, organisers and work colleagues. 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
Professional practice
Knowledge
(Know it)
Skills
(Show it)
The profession’s policy on equality and diversity. Actively encourage whole group participation and promote equality and diversity.
Good practice regarding session structure to encourage participation and inclusion while protecting sensitive participant information. Undertake activities to further develop knowledge and personal skills.
Sources for continuing development. eg. IOL Membership. Reflect on own performance and make refinements.

Behaviours (Live it)

  • Show punctuality, diligence, commitment, and appropriate appearance
  • Is enthusiastic for the organisations products and loyal to the employing organisation and brand
  • Actively respects the environment and encourages behaviours in others that preserves it
  • Is encouraging towards participants and supports each person to achieve to their limit
  • Promotes on-going use of the outdoors and onward progression
  • Shows a positive attitude with all colleagues and all customers come rain or shine

Transferable Skills

Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking end-point assessment.

Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship Vacancies

Live Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship Vacancies

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