Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust is looking for committed and enthusiastic individuals to join our team of outdoor professionals, delivering high quality outdoor learning experiences to children and young people.
During this 12-month apprenticeship you will be working towards the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship, National Governing Body qualifications and personal proficiency awards, whilst gaining valuable work place experience.
Example qualifications include:
- Paddle Sport Instructor Award
- Climbing Wall Instructor Training
- Hill and Moorland Leader Training
- Caving Leader Training
- Archery Leader
- Outdoor First Aid
- In-house assessment: Zip Wire, Sky Trek, Low Ropes Course, Orienteering and more.
Our 120-bed residential centre, set in 16 acres of private grounds, is in the beautiful Herefordshire village of Longtown on the eastern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. We work with over 2500 children people every year, providing residential and day courses for schools, youth groups and organisations working with young people with additional needs.
Our offsite activities include gorge walking, canoeing, hill walking, caving, and rock climbing. We also have a wide range of onsite activities including a high ropes course, zipwire, leap of faith, climbing tower, archery range and team challenges.
To find out more about the Longtown Outdoor Learning Trust and about the role, visit our website where you can download our candidate pack including an application form.
The main responsibility of an Outdoor Activity Instructor (Apprentice) is to run safe and enjoyable activity sessions.
Prepare for the session: Gather information about the participants and resources for the activity.
Deliver the session: Brief participants, maintain safety, provide on-going instruction and encouragement.
Meet session outcome: Support participants to achieve set outcomes (such as new skills / knowledge, personal or team challenge).
Close the session: Hand-over participants, return resources and equipment, log any issues.
We will provide the training and development you need to be able to run safe and enjoyable activity sessions, with a focus on learning. We do this by breaking down your development into three phases:
Phase 1: To observe and assist experienced Outdoor Learning Tutors delivering off-site activity sessions including caving, climbing,
canoeing, hill walking, stand-up paddleboarding, and gorge walking and a range of on-site activities.
Phase 2: To begin to take the lead on the delivery of on-site activity sessions and to conduct supervised parts of some off-site activities.
Phase 3: To independently deliver the full range of on-site activities and deliver some off-site activities under supervision/mentorship.
Additional duties and tasks include:
- Helping to maintain activity equipment.
- Assisting the team with daily cleaning, tidying and catering tasks.
- Maintaining a high standard of health and safety.
- Attending staff planning meetings.
- Seeking out additional learning opportunities to diversify their experience.
- Completing portfolio tasks to a high standard.
- Acting as a role model for children and young people
Undertake any other duties as may be reasonably requested by the management team to ensure the ongoing operational success of the centre and the delivery of excellent customer experiences.
Desirable Skills Required:
- Personal proficiency in a range of outdoor activities.
- Experience of working with children and young people.
Essential Skills Required:
- Experience of a range of different outdoor activities and a desire to develop your personal skills.
- An interest in instructing and coaching children and young people.
Desirable Qualifications Required:
- Level 2 (GCSE Grade C/4 or above ) in Functional Skills Maths and English
Essential Qualifications Required:
- Level 1 (GCSE Grade D/3) in Functional Skills Maths and English
Personal Qualities of the candidate:
- A willingness to undertake a wide range of duties including instructing groups, maintaining equipment, and assisting other departments.
- The ability to act as a professional role model especially to children and young people, in terms of personal presentation, communication skills and leadership.
Important Information:
En-suite accommodation with access to a shared kitchen is available at a subsidised rate and centre meals are available to all staff on their working days.
The Longtown Team: We have a team of around 14 people, including apprentices, with some living onsite and others living in neighbouring towns and villages. We also have a network of 8-10 freelance instructors. As we are a relatively small team, it is important
that we work closely together and support each other to deliver the best customer experience we can. Which is why everyone helps out in different departments when required.
Weekly/Annual wage: £8.00 an hour / £16,640 annual salary (40 hours a week over 5 days)
Working Week /Hours: 40 hours per week over 5 days. Regular evening, and some weekend, working.
Closing date: Friday 3rd July 2026
Start date: 7th September 2026
Applicants must be 18 and over only. They are likely to be living on site in a residential environment and working with children and vulnerable people.
Future Prospects description: Successful apprentices can apply for one of our seasonal Activity Instructor roles or work for us as a self-employed Freelance Instructor. We have a culture of continual professional development, encouraging our team to broaden their qualification portfolio whilst developing essential facilitation skills to deliver high quality outdoor learning.
HOW TO APPLY: Candidate pack including an application form can be downloaded from the website or requested by email [email protected]
If you have any questions about the role please contact 01873 860 225 or [email protected]
Pay: £16,640.00 per year
Work Location: In person
