Apprenticeship training course

Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

There are 8 training providers who offer this course.

Information about Outdoor activity instructor (level 3)

Supervising and guiding children and adults in activities and pastimes.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • 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.
  • How to meet desired outcomes of the session g. recreation and enjoyment, increasing self-confidence, learning about a local habitat.
  • The approved options for adapting a session to accommodate predictable environmental changes.
  • The organisation’s procedures and standards relevant to the session being delivered.
  • Activity venue locations and access arrangements.
  • The relevant operational procedures related to session delivery to meet Health & Safety, environmental sustainability, safeguarding and data protection requirements.
  • Why an appropriate activity briefing is important, what it needs to include and where to source the relevant information.
  • How to guide participants to the venue in a safe and efficient manner.
  • Information about the training activity or subject at the required level to deliver the session.
  • Basic good practice protocols and techniques for giving instructions and demonstrationsg. visual, verbal.
  • How to identify hazards in the environment they are working and the dynamic changes that may occur
  • How to minimise environmental impact and support sustainability g. picking up litter, not broadening paths.
  • How to respond to problems: A grasp of common problems and issues related to outdoor working in general, and the businesses specific products offering.
  • How to respond to and deal with incidents or accidents that may occur during the session.
  • The organisations set approaches for instructing or teaching each activity in order to meet the defined outcomes of each session.
  • Simple techniques to ensure engagement and participation by all g. energisers, sharing responsibilities, appropriate pace.
  • How to use open questions and observation to check understanding and progression of learning.
  • How to recognise participants that have additional support requirements g. nervousness, short attention span, disengagement.
  • Simple techniques for dealing with conflict and challenging behaviours.
  • Simple techniques and questioning styles to aid review of sessions in meeting required outcomes.
  • How the venue should be left and equipment and resources returned - including adherence to any reporting policies.
  • How the organisation, and profession, should be represented to include knowledge of the breadth and range of the organisations products and operating standards.
  • The organisation’s expectations on how to engage and communicate with participants, organisers and work colleagues.
  • The profession’s policy on equality and diversity.
  • Good practice regarding session structure to encourage participation and inclusion while protecting sensitive participant information.
  • Sources for continuing development. E.g. IOL Membership.

  Skills

  • 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.

  Behaviours

  • 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.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Health and science
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 12 months
• Funding: £6,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Multi-Activity Leader
  • Environmental Education Tutor
  • Activity Instructor
  • Ranger
  • National Park Guide

View more information about Outdoor activity instructor (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.