Outdoor activities instructor
Lead trips and teach skills so people can safely enjoy outdoor sports and activities.
Also known as: outdoor pursuits instructor
About the job
What it's like
You would lead groups of people on trips to the countryside and wilderness areas. You’d teach them new skills so they can safely enjoy outdoor sports and activities.
It would be important to have excellent skills in at least one outdoor activity such as:
Hillwalking and mountaineering or climbing
Canoeing, sailing or surfing
Skiing or snowboarding
There are different types of courses you could provide, including:
Leisure activities for adults and young people
Team-building exercises for employees of a company or organisation
Activity courses for disadvantaged young people
You would:
Plan and prepare activities to suit the needs, abilities and experience of each group
Explain, advise on and demonstrate activities
Instruct in one or more specialist areas, such as sailing or climbing
Make sure that all equipment and facilities are safe
Explain safety procedures
Check weather conditions before starting the session
Assess the hazards and manage risks
Outdoor activities can be dangerous so you’d need to have a very high awareness of health and safety issues and be able to deal with accidents. People will trust you to keep them safe.
Some people may scared or nervous about taking part; you’d need to gently motivate and encourage them.
If you are working with young people sometimes you might need to work hard to inspire them to take part. You may also sometimes have to deal with challenging behaviour.
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- respecting
- supporting
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- coaching
- positive attitude
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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Childcare and Development
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PE (Physical education)
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Skills for Work: Rural Skills
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Skills for Work: Sport and Recreation
There are a number of routes into this role with many employers asking for relevant experience and a passion for outdoor activities.
You can do an outdoor pursuits National Certificate or National Qualification courses (SCQF level 3-6) with no formal qualifications but some courses ask for National 4/5 qualifications (SCQF level 4/5).
There is a Modern Apprenticeship in Active Learning, Leisure and Wellbeing (SCQF 5/6 or 6/7) which includes qualifications in activity leadership and outdoor programmes.
To enter Higher National Certificate (SCQF level 7) or Higher National Diploma courses (SCQF level 8) you will need National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers or equivalent qualifications.
Degrees are available in Outdoors Pursuit Management and Environmental Science and Outdoor Education (SCQF level 9/10) and require National 5 qualifications and a minimum of four Highers. You could also have a degree in childcare, education or social work and gain additional outdoor education training or postgraduate qualifications.
To enter a postgraduate qualification in outdoor education requires a degree; some courses ask for relevant experience.
It's also possible to gain a role in this area without formal qualifications if you have extensive outdoor activity and leadership experience.
Qualifications and experience, such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, that show:
Physical fitness
Experience with outdoor activities
Knowledge of health and safety
Leadership skills
It's helpful to have relevant work-based qualifications or be willing to work towards qualifications once in a job, such as a Modern Apprenticeship.
A driving licence.
If you are employed in a commercial outdoor activity centre that works with young people who are under 18 and not accompanied by a parent you will need to meet Adventure Activities Licensing Scheme safety standards which ensure employees are suitably experienced and qualified to carry out activities. This may involve additional training or qualifications.
A life-saving qualification is required if you are doing water activities.
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