Active Outdoor Pursuits
Voluntary Instructor Programme

 

 
Our Instructor Development Programme is designed to support people who are passionate about the outdoors and are keen to gain the experience and qualifications they need to make the move to a full time career as an outdoor instructor.
 
We appreciate the barriers that often exist in making your career goals a reality;·
 

Getting the personal experience, skill level, routes or quality mountain days. None of your friends have the same goals and drive and even if they do you are not off at the same time or they have no money?

Distance away from the mountains, crags, lochs and rivers – you often spend 3 – 6 hours in a car instead of using that precious time to log another route or get practice.

Lack of opportunities to get group experience and coaching hours.

Becoming a rounded outdoor professional means qualifications in a wide range of activities – but it is so expensive to get all the kit! Canoes? Kayaks? Skis? A climbing rack?..... the list is endless……

Getting time off work for training and assessment courses – even using all you’re your Annual Leave it will take years to attain the baseline qualifications.

Courses and Minibus driving tests are very expensive.
 

 

With 4 – 6 participants on the programme you will always find similarly motivated people keen to get out there and get as much experience as they can cram in. We work hard to pull together a team of people who will work well together and have a wide variety of skills and outdoor experience thus encouraging peer coaching and mutual support.

Based in Newtonmore in the Highlands, Craigower Lodge sits at the foot of the Monadhaliath and Cairngorm Mountains, in the shadow of Craig Dhu with the river Spey (virtually) on your door step. 30mins to Cairngorm Ski area, less than an hour from Fort William and Inverness. This is the heart of Scottish outdoor adventure – a place of amazing beauty and a wonderland for every outdoor enthusiast. All the terrain you need for the depth of experience you will need to gain a wide range of National Governing Body Awards.

We have very varied client groups with differing objectives in seeking an outdoor experience; Primary schools - fun, introduction multi activity weeks. Duke Of Edinburgh - training and expeditions. Personal Development Programmes using the outdoors for team and personal challenge. Skills Training groups – Canoeing, winter skills, skiing, sea kayaking. Family fun weeks. Thrill seekers on rafting or canyoning days. Business - team building, themed events and reward days. Expeditions - canoeing the Great Glen or a descent of the river Spey --- The scope of the clients group, their aims, the environment and the range of activities involved makes for first class outdoor experiences for participants on Instructor Development Programme. You will also experience what is involved in all aspects of running and outdoor centre and an outdoor adventure company.

Participants have access to a wide range of centre equipment as well as the ability to purchase equipment through our many suppliers at cost price.

We will support you with a Personal Development Plan to keep your goals focused and realistic. We will work with you to ensure you are getting the right opportunities to make your aims a reality. Active will fund your National Governing Body Training and Assessment courses in line with your PDP and ensure you have time to attend. We also will fund your Passenger Carrying Vehicle test (PCV) – D1 driving license. This is a professional driving qualification.

Active employ an excellent range of outdoor instructors on a full time, sessional and freelance basis.

 

Their qualifications are many and varied – MIC, Level 5 Canoe coaches, BASI Trainers, Raft trainers, Ski Mountain Leaders. You will have opportunities to learn from and work beside these guys. They will become your mentors and you will be able to seek feedback and reflect with them on your own performance, group work and coaching skills.
This is a residential programme based at Craigower Lodge, Newtonmore but with trips and residentials to a variety of locations across the UK. The course will be a minimum of 15 months (starting April and running through to the end of June the following year)
The first 10 weeks of the programme will be mainly focused on orientation, induction, assessment, and baseline training requirements and shadowing instructors.
Week 11 onwards candidates will, in conjunction with their supervisor, develop their own training plan unique to their level of experience and ambition. The aim being to work towards training and assessment in several of the NGB qualifications outlined 
 

Summer Mountain Leader Award

Single Pitch Supervisor Award

UKCC Canoe/Kayak Awards

Scottish Rafting Association Raft Guide

Snowsports Scotland Ski or Snowboard Leader

Trail Bike or Mountain Bike Leader

PCV Driving Licence

Each trainee will have a personal development plan and will meet regularly with their supervisor to assess progress, plan training requirements and provide support.

Candidates are expected to assist in all aspects of service delivery and participate fully in centre life. This includes maintenance of the centre, buses and equipment, cleaning duties, catering, kitchen assistance, booking clients in/out etc. 
Candidates will have a minimum of 6 days off per month and a 5 weeks rest period – usually around Christmas time.
Candidates will have a bed and use of the staff lounge. Meals will be available for candidates whilst clients are being catered for. At other times self-catering facilities are available in the staff flat.

All training costs will be covered by Active Outdoor Pursuits. During the ski season, Active will contribute towards a Cairngorm ski pass.
We provide a training allowance of £85.00 per week to help you with food costs, transport and buying personal equipment. This is paid at the end of each calendar month.
Candidates must adhere to all company policies and the law relating to Health & Safety, Equal Opportunities, Child Protection, Health Promotion, Environmental and Courtesy Codes.
Candidates are expected to display a professional manner at all times, maintaining all Active quality standards in all aspects of outdoor provision, residential and client care.

 

Passionate about the outdoors (Current NGB Qualification or considerable outdoor experience is essential)
 
First Aid Certificate (Valid for programme duration)
 
Over 20 years of age (Due to PCV Driving Rules min age of 21 to drive.)
 
Clean current driving licence.
Previous candidates have found the whole experience intense, challenging but highly rewarding in terms of the outdoor experience and qualifications they gained during their time with Active.

So if you think you have got what it takes to make the Active Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Development Programme the turning point in your outdoor career please complete the application form below and forward it to us before the 31 January.
We will be organizing an interview weekend the last weekend in February and successful applicants will start the programme the first week in April. It is important that you do not apply unless you can work to these time scales.