Outdoor activity instructor

Outdoor pursuits instructors teach activities, such as canoeing, climbing, horse riding and sailing. They use practical demonstrations and verbal explanation to teach all ages and abilities.

Also known as:

• Outdoor activities instructor
• Sports teacher - outdoor pursuits

Work activities

Outdoor pursuits instructors work with individuals or small groups, teaching them a range of skills. These include abseiling, canoeing, caving, skiing, mountain walking and biking, orienteering, parachuting, horse riding, rock climbing, sailing and windsurfing. They teach all ages and abilities.

Courses can last from a few hours up to one or two weeks. Groups come from places like schools, youth clubs and guide/scout groups. They can also be made up of adults, on work-based teambuilding schemes, for example. Individuals and families also visit outdoor pursuits centres.

Instructors plan a programme of activities that is suitable for each course and group of people. They make sure each course meets the needs, interests and levels of ability and experience of the people taking part. Although some lecturing is involved, much of the instruction is done by practical, hands-on demonstration. Instructors also pass on basic safety rules and make sure that these are followed. On residential courses, instructors are sometimes responsible for organising social activities in the evenings.

Other duties include issuing equipment (and giving advice on its use), writing up reports, and keeping records of activities and visitors. Instructors sometimes drive a minibus, to take groups to locations away from the centre. All outdoor pursuits instructors have to pay careful attention to health and safety regulations. The work can often be in potentially dangerous locations. Instructors work outdoors, as long as weather conditions are safe to complete an activity.

Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.

Personal qualities and skills

As an outdoor pursuits instructor, you need to be:

• Physically fit, with a high level of stamina.
• Competent in your chosen outdoor activities.
• Flexible and able to adapt to change.
• Prepared to manage unexpected and emergency situations.

You’ll also need to have:

• Leadership skills.
• The ability to show initiative.
• Good communication and organisation skills.
• The ability to relate well to people of different ages and backgrounds.
• Administrative skills.

For some positions you will need a driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

Pay rates for outdoor pursuits instructors vary widely, depending on the employer. Outdoor pursuits instructors starting salary is around £16,000 per year, while a senior instructor could earn up to £30,000 a year. Freelance outdoor pursuits instructors charge a day rate, depending on skills and experience.

Instructors often have early starts, late finishes and work at weekends.  Some jobs are temporary –over the summer holidays, for example.  

There are several hundred outdoor pursuits centres throughout the UK. Some centres are maintained by local authorities for schools to use.  Most centres are privately run and run courses for a wide variety of people. There are many opportunities to work in other countries, such as in Europe and the USA.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on the Institute of Outdoor Learning (IOL) website, on employers’ websites and on job boards such as Bluedome.co.uk or Seasonworkers.com

Entry routes and training

You usually need to be over 18 to work as an instructor. To work at a commercially operated outdoor centre, you will usually need to have one or more relevant national governing body (NGB) coach, leader or instructor awards. These awards can be gained by completing short courses, available at a range of centres around the country. You can get further details from SkillsActive.com or from the NGBs themselves.

There are a number of other relevant qualifications, such as certificates and diplomas in sport (outdoor education) and the work-based qualification introductory work in the outdoors.

A level 3 (advanced) apprenticeship in the role of outdoor activity instructor is a great way to develop your skills on the job.

First aid qualifications and, where relevant, life-saving qualifications may be needed for some posts.  Minibus driving is another useful qualification to have. There are also outdoor pursuits degree and foundation degree courses.

Once employed, outdoor pursuits instructors can further their range of sports/ activities by completing further training.

Progression to the roles of senior instructor and centre manager is possible.

Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: Working with children and young people aged under 18 in this career can be an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.

Qualifications

It’s usual for all instructors to have instructor qualifications or proficiency awards from the relevant national governing body for each sport. To get onto an advanced apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme. An apprenticeship will give you the qualifications and awards necessary to practise.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits. 

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