Skills Courses

Open water swimming is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK. The OWL qualification has been specifically designed to equip open water lifeguards with the skills required to supervise and provide rescue cover for planned, organised and risk assessed activities in still or non-tidal water.

The National Pool Lifeguard Qualification is the UK’s leading pool lifeguard award and provides a recognised route into the leisure industry. It equips learners with the practical skills and knowledge required to supervise swimming pools safely and respond to emergencies with confidence. Throughout the course, learners develop essential lifeguarding skills including water rescue techniques, casualty recovery, CPR, and first aid. Training combines both practical, in-water sessions and classroom-based learning, ensuring a strong understanding of lifeguarding principles alongside hands-on experience. The programme includes a minimum of 36 hours of training followed by a formal assessment, covering lifeguarding theory, pool safety, and emergency response. On completion, learners gain a nationally recognised qualification that is widely required for employment as a pool lifeguard and is valid for two years. This course is ideal for those looking to start a career in the leisure industry or gain a valuable, practical qualification with real employment opportunities.

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The National Vocational Beach Lifeguard Qualification is designed for those who want to work in open water and coastal environments. It builds on core lifeguarding principles while introducing the additional skills required to operate safely on beaches and in dynamic natural conditions. Learners develop the ability to assess changing environments, manage risks associated with tides and weather, and respond effectively to incidents in open water. The course focuses on practical rescue techniques, casualty care, and preventative lifeguarding, ensuring learners can protect members of the public in more complex and unpredictable settings. Recognised as a national standard and supported by leading water safety organisations, this qualification prepares learners to operate confidently as beach lifeguards and contribute to safe coastal environments. This course is ideal for those looking to work on the coast, progress within lifeguarding, or develop advanced rescue and water safety skills.

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The Paediatric First Aid (PFA) course is a first aid qualification designed for learners with a professional responsibility for children and babies, as well as any other setting where you care for children. The purpose of the qualification is for the learner to attain the knowledge and practical competence required to address a range of paediatric first-aid situations.

This is a two-day course that covers a wide range of CPR and first aid skills, equipping the first aider to administer first aid to children and infants (babies). It's Ofqual-accredited and valid for three years, making it suitable for all industries and enabling you to meet HSE requirements. The first day will be self-led learning and must be completed before the in-person day. Once you have booked onto the course, we will send you the online learning link.

The Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) qualification enables a first-aider to give emergency first aid to someone who is injured or becomes ill while at work. This one-day course covers a range of CPR and first aid skills, providing you with the skills to ensure a safe working environment. The qualification is Ofqual accredited and valid for three years, making it suitable for all industries and enabling you to meet HSE requirements. The award is valid for three years as of the date of assessment. The Emergency First Aid at Work course is six hours and can be delivered in one day or split into smaller sessions over a four-week period from the start of the course. The course comprises of practical work and theoretical classroom work, including practical assessment on CPR and first aid.

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This course is the most comprehensive first aid course for the workplace. It covers a wide range of CPR and first aid skills and equips first aiders with the ability to apply first aid to a range of specific injuries and illnesses. The course is suitable for all industries and enables employers to meet HSE requirements. On completion of this course, candidates receive a Level 3 First Aid at Work Qualification.

Defibrillators (AEDs) have been proven to significantly increase the chances of survival in cases of cardiac arrest. This course teaches candidates how to give effective CPR and use an AED to feel confident if an emergency occurs.

This course is designed to give individuals the tools and knowledge to make a difference to a vulnerable person’s life. It will also let the practitioner reporting the abuse know how they can safeguard themselves in everyday work, while seeking help and reporting the incident identified. It is aimed towards safeguarding leads or appointed persons within a business, and any individual who works with children or adults at risk. This can be an in-person or online course. 

This qualification gives participants an understanding of safeguarding which can be used while working with children or adults at risk, in a workplace, support or activity group. The qualification equips people with the skills to identify a safeguarding concern, record a disclosure and report to the appropriate person.  This can be an in-person or online course. 

This is an ideal course for beginner climbers with little to no experience climbing on rock. We’ll explore the basic skills that will progress you into becoming a more competent climber; from understanding technical rope work skills to utilising the fundamentals of movement and balance. This course is aimed at people looking to get into climbing on real rock.

This is a 2-day course providing you with plenty of opportunities to learn, practice and get climbing and will take place in the beautiful Dartmoor National Park. You must be at least 18 years old and have an average fitness level with respect to being able to walk a short way to the crag and partake in climbing. You must be at least 18 years old and have an average fitness level with respect to being able to walk a short way to the crag and partake in climbing.

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This is a beginner navigation course ideal for those who are new to map reading or someone with minimal experience. We’ll decipher the lines and symbols on a map and introduce you to useful navigation techniques to build your confidence and understanding. This is a 1 day, practical course aimed at people that wish to gain confidence within navigation in low-level terrain and there will be plenty of opportunities to practice in Lowland countryside.

No previous hill walking experience is required. You must be at least 18 years old and have an average fitness level in respect to being able to walk on tracks and paths in a moderately hilly, countryside setting.

This qualification is designed for experienced assessors who want to move into an internal quality assurance role, overseeing and improving the quality of assessment within an organisation. The course develops an understanding of how to monitor assessment practices, support assessors, and ensure consistency and compliance with recognised standards. Learners gain practical experience in sampling assessment decisions, providing feedback, and maintaining quality assurance systems. This qualification is essential for those responsible for maintaining high standards and ensuring that assessment processes are fair, reliable, and effective.

The CAVA qualification is the most comprehensive assessor award and is designed for those who want to become fully qualified vocational assessors. It enables learners to assess both occupational competence in the workplace and vocational skills, knowledge, and understanding in other learning environments. Throughout the course, learners develop the skills required to plan assessments, observe performance, provide constructive feedback, and maintain accurate records. The qualification combines theory with practical assessment experience, ensuring learners can apply their knowledge in real situations. By the end of the programme, learners are equipped to assess confidently across a wide range of vocational contexts.

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This qualification provides a strong introduction to teaching and training, making it ideal for those looking to begin delivering learning in a vocational or workplace setting. It supports individuals who may be new to teaching, as well as those already delivering training who want to gain a recognised qualification. The course focuses on understanding the principles of effective teaching, including how to plan and deliver sessions, engage learners, and assess understanding. It also helps learners develop confidence in managing a learning environment and adapting their approach to suit different audiences. As an entry-level qualification, it creates a solid foundation for anyone looking to move into teaching, training, or instructional roles.

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The Canoe Open Water Leader is aimed at paddlers who wish to lead groups on open water river journeys in canoes.

The Paddlesport Touring Leader is aimed at paddlers who wish to lead groups of mixed craft on inland open water.

The White Water Leader supports paddlers who wish to lead groups of white water boats on grade 2(3) white water rivers.

This award gives paddlers ownership; allowing them to choose where they move next in the world of paddlesport. Participants will develop a programme that suits their needs and learn to make confident choices recognising their ability to independently paddle your chosen craft in a sheltered water environment.

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The Paddlesport Leader is aimed at paddlers who wish to lead groups of mixed craft on both wind affected and slow moving sheltered water. These courses typically cover leadership skills, and the associated personal skills, safety and rescue skills. We run both training and assessments for the Paddlesport Leader Award.

Provides the skills and background knowledge needed by the competent powerboat driver and is the basis of the International Certificate of Competence. It aims to teach boat handling and seamanship in powerboats.

Provides a practical introduction to boat handling and safety in powerboats. It covers boating techniques for launching and recovering a boat from a road trailer, everyday boat handling and the use of safety equipment.