Apprentice Outdoor Instructor - Cuffley

Apprentice Outdoor Instructor

Cuffley Active Learning Centre

Near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

This is a 13-month apprenticeship aimed enthusiastic, motivated people with a desire to start a career in the vibrant and rewarding outdoor learning sector.

You will be starting your role as an assistant instructor – and after a comprehensive training programme and development period you will gain the knowledge, experience and qualifications required to become an independent instructor leading your own groups. You will learn how to operate to a highly professional and safe standard, to create a challenging, fun and educational environment providing equal opportunities to all.

You will be required to assist in the facilitation of a range of activities including high ropes, climbing, orienteering, archery, shelter building / fire lighting and much, much more. The focus at Active Learning Centres is on utilising our wonderful natural environments in providing high quality outdoor learning that creates opportunities for visiting young people to develop their essential skills, builds character and promotes wellbeing. This post will also allow the apprentice to work across numerous areas of the wider ALG business group that may include working with our sister companies such as Bushcraft, Camp Wilderness and Super Camps.

In order to gain a thorough and all-round knowledge of activity centre-based work you will also be provided with opportunities to work in our other centres delivering mountaineering and water-based activities, where you will have the chance to expand your personal skill set, leading to further NGB’s and greater employment opportunities.

Day to day duties:

• Assisting with the activity programme, leading to the delivery of activities independently or as part of a team.
• Setting up and de-rigging of activities.
• Preparing and delivering equipment to activity sites.
• Accounting for and being responsible for equipment used in the Centre’s activity programme
• Ensuring that equipment is safely cleaned and stored in line with the centre’s equipment usage policy.
• Reporting of accidents/incidents in line with the Centre’s H&S policy
• Liaising with customers and other members of staff in a positive manner
• Being supportive of your fellow instructors.
• Attending staff meetings and end of course de-briefings

Desirable skills and qualifications:

• Experience of working in an outdoor environment
• Experience of outdoor activities, either leading or participating
• Membership of any outdoor groups (Scouts, DofE, activity clubs)
• First Aid qualification/experience
• Experience of working with young people.
• Experience of working throughout a busy day
• Have an understanding of how to behave in a professional setting with customers and colleagues
• GCSE grade E-D/2-3 in functional skills in Maths and English ( or be working towards level 2 in Maths and English) is essential.

Personal qualities:

Outgoing ,trustworthy, honest, approachable, well presented, friendly, committed, enthusiastic, an independent learner who is keen and has a positive can-do attitude.

You should be well motivated with a desire to improve and develop both your personal skills and those skills required to facilitate and deliver safe and educational adventurous activities

Future Prospects:

Possible employment as an outdoor instructor Feb - Oct contract (21 months employment total)

Essential Details:

Annual salary: £10,004

Working Hours: 40 hours (annualised) - weekly hours will vary (long summer / short winter hours) with work being 5 in 7

For any queries about the role please contact Emma Nolan:

Emma.nolan@activelearningcentres.co.uk / 07912 210693

The Active Learning Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and an expectation of this role is to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Appointment is subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references.

At The Active Learning Group, we believe in providing an environment which recognises the values people’s differences/individuality, and benefits from the unique strengths that these differences bring to our organisation. This commitment promotes respect and equal treatment for all persons regardless of age, disability, gender, ethnicity, marital or civil partnership, nationality, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. We insist that this respect is applied in every aspect of our business and in how we conduct ourselves, under the Equality Act 2010.