Outdoor education
Outdoor apprenticeships offer a practical route into a fast-growing industry—supporting individuals building active, people-focused careers and employers developing skilled teams across outdoor education, recreation, and retail. At Skern Skills, our programmes combine on-the-job training, real-world experience, and recognised qualifications. For learners, apprenticeships provide the opportunity to earn while you learn, build confidence in outdoor environments, and develop skills for long-term careers. For employers, they offer a sustainable way to recruit, train, and retain motivated staff equipped to deliver high-quality outdoor experiences.
Outdoor apprenticeships & career pathways
We offer outdoor apprenticeship programmes including Outdoor Activity Instructor (Level 3), Outdoor Learning Specialist (Level 5), Community Activator Coach (Level 2), and Customer Service Practitioner – Outdoor Retail (Level 2). The outdoor sector contributes over £22 billion to the UK economy and continues to grow.
These programmes suit active people who enjoy working outdoors and supporting others, as well as employers building skilled teams. Complete our contact form to speak with the Skern Skills team.
The facts
85%
of UK adults say spending time in nature boosts their happiness and wellbeing.
37,000
premature deaths a year in the UK are linked to physical inactivity.
£22bn
is the approximate annual contribution of outdoor recreation to the UK economy.
64%
of UK adults now meet recommended activity levels, reflecting growing participation in active and outdoor lifestyles.
Apprenticeship Courses
The benefits of an apprenticeship
Employer benefits
- Build a workforce with practical skills in activity leadership, outdoor learning, safety, and customer support.
- Strengthen retention by offering staff a role that’s active, meaningful, and connected to nature.
- Attract motivated individuals who care about supporting others in the outdoors.
- Support progression in your team by offering recognised qualifications and clear development routes.
- Access flexible funding to train apprentices in roles across the outdoor sector.
Apprentice benefits
- Earn recognised qualifications for roles such as outdoor activity instructor, activity leader, community coach, or customer service practitioner.
- Spend your working day outdoors, helping people gain confidence and enjoy new experiences.
- Build practical skills in teamwork, communication, organisation, and leadership.
- Improve your own well-being by learning and working in natural environments.
- Make a positive difference to others through activities that support health and personal growth.
- Access guidance from a mentor who will support your progress and help you plan your next steps.
- Set yourself up for a long-term career with strong progression routes in the outdoor sector.
The value of building outdoor experiences into an expanding pool of apprenticeship opportunities
FAQs
Yes. Apprentices receive a salary from their employer throughout the programme. Pay can vary depending on the employer and apprenticeship level.
Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll receive ongoing support and mentoring from experienced workplace staff and Skern Skills assessors. This includes regular reviews, feedback, and personal development support to help you build skills, confidence, and progress successfully through your apprenticeship.
This apprenticeship is perfect for anyone with a passion for the outdoors and education. People who aspire to become outdoor activity leaders or managers are the ideal candidates for this apprenticeship.
Apprentices learn a variety of skills, including:
- Outdoor leadership and group management
- Risk assessment and safety protocols
- Environmental education and interpretation
- Technical skills in activities like hiking, kayaking, or rock climbing
- Program development and logistical planning
- Communication and teaching techniques
Upon completing your apprenticeship, you will gain a nationally recognised qualification specific to your apprenticeship program, as well as practical experience and skills in your chosen field.
Many apprentices are offered permanent positions with their employer upon successful completion of their apprenticeship, though this depends on the employer's needs and your performance during the program.
Outdoor education apprenticeships offer a practical route into a rewarding career in the outdoor and activity sector. You’ll gain industry-recognised qualifications, build transferable skills such as leadership, communication, and risk management, and develop real-world experience while earning as you learn. These apprenticeships prepare you to support others in enjoying the outdoors safely, confidently, and responsibly, with progression opportunities across outdoor education, recreation, and community settings.
Our outdoor education apprenticeships suit people who enjoy working with others and staying active. While the courses are open to everyone, this particular programme is a great fit if you:
- Have lots of energy and love spending time outdoors
- Enjoy working with children, young people, and adults
- Want to build practical skills through real-world experience
Most outdoor education apprenticeships take between 12 and 18 months to complete. However, our Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor apprenticeship can be completed in just 9 months, making it ideal for seasonal outdoor providers and employers who need flexible, efficient training that fits around peak operational periods.
An outdoor apprenticeship can lead to a wide range of careers across the outdoor education and activity sector. Some choose to advance into leadership or management roles, or continue their development through higher-level qualifications within outdoor centres, education providers, and community or adventure-based organisations.
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