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Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship Employer Consultation - December 3rd-17th 2020

We are very pleased to let you know that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education have approved the proposal for an Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship following submission by the Outdoor Trailblazer Employer Group and IOL.

A project working group has developed the role profile, duties, knowledge, skills and behaviours for the occupation of Outdoor Learning Specialist. It is set at Level 5 and expected to take 30 months to achieve. To begin this apprenticeship, employees will be expected to be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours of an Outdoor Activity Instructor.

The broad purpose of an Outdoor Learning Specialist is the design, planning and delivery of programmes that provide progressive learning and change using outdoor activities and experiences.

View the Draft Outdoor Learning Specialist Standard HERE.

All employers from across the outdoor learning world are strongly invited to review the proposed standard and give the project team your comments.

Although this apprenticeship will be accessible to employers based in England, we are interested in the views from employers in all Home Nations. IOL will use this standard and consultation as a starting point to define the National Occupational Standard for an Outdoor Learning Specialist that can be referenced by Welsh and Scottish governments when reviewing and updating apprenticeships in the future.
1.Question 1 - Overall

The occupation of Outdoor Learning Specialist includes the ability to carry out the following duties:

  • Establish needs, plan programmes and evaluate outcomes
  • Apply outdoor leadership judgement to manage risk – benefit decisions
  • Facilitate inclusive individual and group learning programmes outdoors
  • Manage resources and staff allocated and solves complex problems
Outdoor Learning Specialists can work in any area of outdoor learning that requires them to carry out the above duties.
Do you recognise this role?
2.Question 2 - Profile
Does the occupational profile broadly reflect an Outdoor Learning Specialist?
3.Question 3 - Duties
Do the duties describe what an Outdoor Learning Specialist could be asked to do?
4.Question 4 - Knowledge
Do the knowledge statements accurately describe what an Outdoor Learning Specialist may need to know?
5.Question 5 - Skills
Do the skills statements accurately describe what an Outdoor Learning Specialist should be able to do?
6.Question 6 - Behaviours
Do the behaviour statements accurately describe how an Outdoor Learning Specialist is expected to act?
7.Question 7 - Duration
The apprenticeship is set at Level 5 (equivalent to 2nd year of a degree) and is expected to take around 30 months to achieve with a mixture of on-the-job (80%) and off-the-job (20%) training. Do you think this length of time is:
8.Question 8 - Further Comments
Please share any further comments with the project team.
9.Question 9 - Support
Successful submission to IfATE required the support of a wide range of employers engaged in all areas of outdoor learning. Do you support the project team in development of this apprenticeship to enable access to funded training for this role?
10.Question 10 - Contact
Please enter your email below if you wish to be kept up to date with the consultation results and progress of the project.
Current Progress,
0 of 10 answered