Activity Instructor Jobs
Activity instructor jobs (sometimes referred to as multi activity instructors), are usually based at a purpose built centre, designed to provide a range of adventure activities to school groups, youth groups such as scouts and guides, businesses through team building events, families and even stag and hen parties. As an instructor you may specialise in just a couple of activities, or you may be required to lead numerous activities. You will usually reside on site, or nearby as the hours of work can be long, and usually involve weekends.
Qualifications
The qualifications required to become an activity instructor vary. Some centres require qualifications for certain positions, this is frequently the case with Local Authority run centres. They usually ask for NGB (National Governing Body) standard qualifications such as RYA Senior or Dinghy Instructor or BCU level 1/2. Depending on the centre and the skills it is looking for obviously. On the other hand, there are plenty of centres who will take instructors with no previous experience but spend a period of time training them to the required standard, almost like an apprentice scheme. This means that you get the training thrown in for free! which can be very useful when you decide to move on to other jobs in the adventure industry.
Employer: Knapp House
Country: UK
Join us at Knapp House Activity Centre near Westward Ho! on the beautiful North Devon coast. We're looking for NGB Qualified Instructors and Trainee Instructors for summer 2012, so no matter what your level of experience or qualification, we're interested in hearing from you...
Details: Read more...
How much does an activity instructor earn?
Some companies that take on activity instructors will give you a training allowance style salary that will come in at around the minimum wage. If you are already have experience or some of the sought after National Governing Body qualifications then you are probably looking at a salary between £12,000 to £16,000 on average, depending upon your experience and qualifications of course. For more senior instructor positions you may be able to earn up to £24,000.
Another factor to take into account is that many positions have live in accommdation which is often subsidised or even free. The same goes for your food, so your outgoings are much lower. With some experience you may be able to work as a freelance instructor. Working for more than one centre can increase your earning potential.
What is it like?
We spoke to Chris and Anita, activity instructors working for activity centres here in the UK and asked how they got the job, and to describe their typical week of work.
Chris Worthy - Sailing activiy instructor
"I was working at a fish processing factory in Great Yarmouth, mostly wishing I was doing something less boring. I have always lived by the sea and we messed about in boats since we were kids, but I heard too many stories about commercial fishing to know that it wasn't something I wanted to do. A friend got a job last summer at a combined water and land activity centre here in Norfolk and the more he talked about it, the more I wanted to get involved!
My friend told me they took applications year round and had vacancies every few months, but they usually recruited people for the sailing positions as they found them more difficult to fill. I already had basic sailing experience so I was able to take a relatively short instructor training course that fitted around my job, and was designed to get me the RYA Dinghy Instructor qualification. Once I had that I updated my CV, and sent off an application. Eventually I got invited for an interview and accepted as an instructor on a two year renewable contract.
I haven't been here very long, only about four months, but it is the best thing I ever did. Every day I wake up looking forward to teaching people. Most of the people who visit are school groups wanting taster sessions, but we do teach adults too. I prefer when I get to give someone a full day on the water as you can really see their progress, whereas with the school kids, they are more there to have a laugh and experience something new, not necessarily to learn anything.
On a typical day we have to start work about 7.30am, getting the boats ready, checking all the safety equipment and doing the paperwork for the day ahead. We get fed a good lunch and work is done by 4pm in winter, though we do have to work later in summer. My favourite part of the job is seeing people get into a boat, never having been in one before. I know that after showing them the basics and taking them out on the water for a while, they will be confident enough to handle the boat without me really needing to help. Passing on my knowledge to other people is the best reward and I am not just saying that because they pay isn't great, ha ha. Actually the pay isn't too bad and there do seem to be opportunities to move up within the company. I know a lot of people treat these kinds of jobs as a filler between other jobs, but my aim is to make it my career. Because I am on the water every day, my own technique is constantly improving and the company I work for are happy to subsidise training courses for employees who show they are keen to improve themselves. I hope to become a senior instructor next year and then take it from there."
Anita Colbier - Multi activity instructor
"Before I started working here I didn't really have any experience, nor any relevant qualifications, so I was lucky to be invited for an interview. I had just finished my A levels and decided to take a break before starting Uni. The interview was over a full day at the centre, along with perhaps a hundred other people. We took part in some activities and did some team games. We all knew the senior staff were watching and assessing us, but it wasn't intimidating, and everyone was friendly. There was also a more formal interview which lasted about half an hour then I was offered a position for the upcoming season. Speaking to some of the other successful candidates later, a couple of them had worked for similar companies before and they said the selection process really varies from centre to centre, with some offering the position almost on CV alone, while others are even more stringent than here; involving a second interview and assessment. I think the assessment day was a great way to get a feel for the place and the people to see whether it is somewhere you are going to enjoy. After all, working and living on site, it's not like a nine to five job where you go home at the end of the day, so it is really important to be happy.
I have been here almost a full season now and have managed to pass the National Small-bore Rifles Association Award, Level One Canoe and BELA (Basic Expedition Leader Award). I'd say not to let a lack of experience put you off applying. Some places do like qualified instructors and will list any awards they would like you to have in their job description. It cuts down their training costs and means you can slot into their activity centre with minimal disruption. Other centres, like this one, are happy to take people who they can train to do things their way. I like this approach as it means you get good on the job training and they are investing in you as a person. It is an incentive to stay and to work hard. I have some proper qualifications now which will look good on my CV when I come to apply for future adventure jobs.
What do I do. Basically my role as an activity instructor means I take groups of children, sometimes, adults, for activity sessions usually lasting about two hours. I show them how to use the safety equipment - hard hats, ropes, depending on the activity, before each session, then teach them how to get the most from each activity. Sometimes they have tried something before, that can be more difficult as they don't listen as well, especially children who are keen to show off to their peers. Perhaps they think they already know how to do something, where they may not have been formally taught and have picked up bad habits. But most of the time they are completely new to it and take in everything you say, like a sponge.
The best parts of the job are that every day is different. The sunny days are more fun that those when it rains and you get really muddy, but it's all good fun and you have a laugh with your fellow activity instructors. One day you are teaching a group how to canoe, then next day you are teaching another group how to climb and abseil. It is also cool to see the smiles on the kids faces when they learn something new, and to know that you were the one that gave them that new skill.
I had never really thought I would be suited to teaching, but being able to combine that with being outside in the fresh air, rather than stuck in an office is fantastic. I still plan to go to Uni but this experience will be great for my CV, and who knows, I am come back to adventure education."
Activity Instructor Jobs and Courses Available
 Trainee Activity Instructor Country: UK Join PGL, the UK's leading provider of residential activity holidays, as a Trainee Activity Instructor. This role offers the opportunity for you to begin your career in the outdoors industry and also the chance to gain instructor awards as you progress. No qualifications required: we'll train you! ...[more] | Group Leaders (Lancashire) Country: UK Robinwood Activity Centre Ltd is a leading provider of activity courses for 8-11 year old children and is now looking for enthusiastic people to join their team as Group Leaders. Our next intake will be Spring 2012 and we run selection weekends from September 2011. We respond to all applications....[more] |
Summer Camp Staff Country: USA This summer how exciting would it be to work in a summer camp in America instead of the facing another rainy British summer? It’s free to apply and our salaries are the highest available so if the thought of working in a summer camp in America fills you with excitement then check us out...[more] |  Outdoor Instructor Training Course Country: UK If you are seeking to venture into the exciting world of outdoor education and are looking for a partner to help, coach, develop your skills thus enabling you to begin your new career with the best possible advice, training and support, look no further than The Manor House Activity & Development Centre. Join...[more] |
Apprentice Instructor Country: UK Inspire others…. Challenge Yourself.... come and join Kingswood's Apprenticeship scheme! Have fun, gain recongised qualifications, and take your first steps towards a dream career in the outdoor industry, all while getting paid to learn!...[more] | 16 Week Watersports Instructor Country: UK, Egypt Plas Menai Watersports Instructor training course is ideal for anyone wanting to get into the watersports industry.During the course you will train as a multi-disciplined instructor in:- Dinghy Sailing, Windsurfing and Kayaking.These three qualifications are highly sought after by training centres....[more] |
Pre-Instructor Training Course Country: UK Booking Now for 2012!!! CMC Pensarn Harbour is offering capable people wanting to pursue an exciting career in Outdoor Education an opportunity to gain many of the personal skill awards, in an intensive 8 week training programme designed to prepare you for National Governing Body coaching awards....[more] | Chef Country: France Rockley Watersports is looking to employ a Chef for our 2012 summer season. This is a fantastic opportunity to join one of the most highly regarded watersports training and holiday companies in Europe, and you'll get to spend the summer in South West france ...[more] |
Trainee Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Course Country: UK For individuals who wish to make an exciting career in the outdoor industry, Open Door Training offer a selection of the very best TOPIC courses, (trainee outdoor pursuits instructor course) which range from our eight week introductory course, sixteen week course to our 6-month or one year course....[more] | Multi Activity Instructors for 2012 England Country: UK Manor Adventure offers some of the best instructor jobs in the UK adventure schools market. We welcome applicants with or without experience. You can start your career with us or take your existing experience to the next level. All we need from you is energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to work hard to mainta...[more] |