Opportunity information
Advert closing date 26/02/2026
Description
A rare opportunity for a skilled outdoor professional to shape the next generation of Outdoor Educators. We're seeking an Apprenticeship Trainer to deliver our industry leading Outdoor Educator Apprenticeships, with a focus on apprentices working in Early Years settings.
A Unique Opportunity
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a skilled outdoor professional confident working in an Early Years environment to help shape the next generation of Outdoor Educators through an industry leading apprenticeship programme. Skern Training & Skills is seeking an Apprenticeship Trainer who can deliver our Outdoor Educator Apprenticeship, with a particular focus on apprentices working within Early Years settings looking to develop these skills. This role is ideal for someone who understands both outdoor and nature-based learning and the developmental, safeguarding, and educational needs of young children.
About Skern Training & Skills
Skern Training & Skills supports employers and apprentices across the UK to design, manage, and deliver high-quality, employer-led apprenticeship programmes. We aim to provide life-changing learning experiences by delivering excellence across all our training and development services, supporting learners, employers, and partners through our extensive expertise in education and skills development.
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to support and guide apprentices through the entire apprenticeship journey, from initial advice and guidance through to successful completion and End Point Assessment. You will deliver high-quality knowledge, skills, and behaviours using a blended and experiential learning approach, including practical outdoor delivery, classroom-based learning, and online teaching via Microsoft Teams. You will hold accountability for the quality and effectiveness of the apprenticeship programme, ensuring delivery meets apprenticeship standards and organisational expectations.
The Role
Your primary focus will be supporting apprentices working towards competence as Outdoor Educator Apprentices (Outdoor activity Instructor Level 3). The majority of apprentices are based in Early Years environments who are running activities with children in line with the apprenticeship standard, making experience or knowledge of the Early Years sector a significant advantage.
You will:
Plan, deliver, and review safe, engaging, and inclusive learning activities aligned to the Outdoor Activity Instructor apprenticeship standard
Train and assess apprentices in the delivery of outdoor and nature-based activities, which may include bushcraft, rock pooling, geology, plant identification, habitat or wildlife walks, and other environmental activities
In some cases, support apprentices delivering activities in outdoor activity centres, schools, or alternative settings
Teach apprentices how to:
Prepare sessions by gathering participant and resource information
Deliver sessions using effective briefings, safety management, instruction, and encouragement
Support children and participants to achieve learning, developmental, and engagement outcomes
Close sessions through appropriate handover, equipment management, and recording incidents or issues
Working With Us
You will join a forward-thinking national team delivering outstanding apprenticeships across England, meeting the needs of apprentices, employers, and key stakeholders. This is a field-based role that requires a high degree of independence, organisation, and flexibility. Regular travel to apprentices' workplaces is essential, including overnight stays as required, to meet learner and operational needs.
Why Apply?
A unique blended role combining outdoor education and Early Years expertise
The opportunity to shape and influence national apprenticeship delivery
Flexible working with strong organisational support
A chance to make a real impact on learners, employers, and the future of outdoor learning
Location: Field Based/Remote. Preferably in the Southwest to Midlands area.
Band: Full Time - Maternity Cover
Salary: Full time equivalent to £25,750 plus a car allowance of £3,600 pa (+ Benefits, mileage, laptop, and phone).
Interviews will take place through teams on the afternoon of Monday March 2nd for successful applicants.
Full Job Description:
Job Purpose
The purpose of this role is to support and guide apprentices through the full apprenticeship journey, from initial advice and guidance through to successful completion and End Point Assessment. The role is responsible for delivering high-quality knowledge, skills, and behaviours through a blended and experiential learning approach, including classroom-based learning, practical and outdoor delivery, and online teaching via Teams. The post holder will be accountable for the overall quality and effectiveness of the apprenticeship programme within their area.
This role supports apprentices working towards competence as Outdoor Activity Instructors Level 3 as your primary focus. Most of these apprentices are working in an Early Years setting so knowledge of both this apprenticeship standard and the Early Years sector will be an advantage
You will plan, deliver, and review safe, engaging, and inclusive activities for your apprentice. Apprentices will be trained in line with the apprenticeship standard Outdoor activity instructor / Skills England and assessed in supervising and instructing a range of outdoor activities which could include bushcraft, rock pooling, geology, plant identification, habitat or wildlife walks at an introductory level and nature-based activities. In some cases, this could also include a range of outdoor activities in other settings such as outdoor activity centres and schools. The role will teach apprentices to prepare sessions by gathering participant and resource information, delivering sessions through effective briefings, safety management, instruction and encouragement, supporting the children they are responsible for to achieve outcomes, and closing sessions through appropriate handover, equipment management, and incident or issue reporting.
Working as part of a forward-thinking national team, the role contributes to the delivery of outstanding apprenticeships across England that meet the needs of apprentices, employers, and key stakeholders. Although home-based and requiring a high degree of independence and effective time management, the role involves regular travel to apprentices in their place of work, including overnight stays where required, to meet operational and learner needs.
Key role responsibilities and accountabilities
To deliver the apprenticeship programme within their subject specialism and regional area.
Plan resources delivering high quality training.
Support apprentices with all aspects of the apprenticeship.
Provide information and guidance to the learner and employer about the progress of the apprentice.
To maintain high standards, adhering to service and awarding body quality assurance procedures.
Work with the subject specialist team to ensure the standardisation of assessment and practices.
Facilitate and deliver through a range of different methods to create an engaging learning programme. To plan, always resource and deliver high quality training.
Programming of training and support in liaison with the programme manager and taking account of the employer individual needs.
On-board new apprentices to the correct programme following the Skern Training and Skills process.
Support apprentices in their workplace in preparing for their end point assessment, being accountable for the progress and overall achievement of the apprentice.
To meet internally set deadlines for quality assurance checks.
To carry out initial assessment with learners using a range of assessment methods.
To keep and maintain accurate records of training and assessment in accordance with service and awarding body requirements.
To maintain and update own knowledge, skills and occupational competence as required by the awarding body.
To support the promotion and growth of apprenticeships throughout work-based learning and development.
To have a caseload of approx. 35 apprentices across several employers.
Ensure clear understanding of the standard and the impact on the learner, being the expert and providing insight to the business.
Invigilate exams as required to support other trainers and to complete the assessment of Speaking Listening and Communication as part of the functional skills provision for your apprentices.
Manage own time and resources effectively to meet the needs of STS, the employers and apprentices needs.
Entry requirements
Knowledge, skills and experience required:
Essential:
* Extensive knowledge & experience of the Outdoor Sector.
* Hold a recognised teacher / training qualification (AET, PTLLS or equivalent).
* Some knowledge and experience of delivering apprenticeships or other forms of training.
* Capable & qualified to work across some or all the following apprenticeships: Outdoor Activity Instructor Level 3
Not essential but to be able to support apprentices on the following standards would be a benefit:
* Community Activator Coach level 2
* Customer service Practitioner (Outdoor Retail) Level 2
* Outdoor Learning Specialist Level 5
A strong commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) and evidence of own ongoing CPD prior to interview.
Efficient time management & organisational skills.
GCSEs English and Maths (C or above or functional skills equivalent).
Competent in the use of ICT to include word, excel and Microsoft teams.
Current clean, full, UK driving license and own vehicle appropriate for business use. Ability to drive a minibus is desirable although not essential.
Desirable:
* Experience working with remotely teams using TEAMS/ZOOM with experience of virtual learning and e-portfolios.
* Hold an assessor qualification (A1, TAQA, CAVA, D32, D33 or equivalent)
* Knowledge of End Point Assessment activities and methodologies.
* Knowledge of relevant IFATE Standards.
* To hold a Level 3 Safeguarding qualification or be prepared to work towards achieving this.
* Hold a current First Aid qualification or prepared to work towards.
* Knowledge of the OFSTED Education Inspection Framework.
* A range of current occupational (NGB) qualifications appropriate for the role, at a level enabling the delivery of basic NGB.
Behavioural competencies
* Board Thinker
* Evaluates the commercial and financial implications of decisions, considering the wider People and operational context. Shows evidence of clear analytical thinking. Evaluates the full implications of actions on other parts of the business. Thinks outside of the 'functional silo'. Stays up to date with customer trends, identifying opportunities and threats at an early stage.
* Honesty and Transparency
* Asks for feedback from the Organisation on how to improve. Meets the needs of internal customers, by supporting and engaging when required.
* Takes personal responsibility for correcting problems and demonstrates good recovery from complaints. Gives open and honest feedback at all levels even when it's difficult. Meets and exceeds internal customer expectations. Is open honest and Transparent even when things go wrong.
* Innovative & Adaptive
* Challenges people to find ways of improving what is done. Asking those critical questions to challenge, 'How we do things. Encourages and supports development of new processes and procedures.
* Works productively in a high-pressure environment.
* Welcomes change in a positive light, supporting their teams to embrace new ways of working.
* Leading & Collaborating
* Initiates action and provides others with clear direction. Challenges inappropriate or ineffective behaviour. Works with subject experts to get the best possible solution.
* Takes responsibility for actions. Is self-confident and is seen as credible and a go to person by others. Welcomes new ideas and ensures everyone has a voice.
* Developing Performance
* Keeps own knowledge and skills up to date practicing continuing professional development. Delivers results through teams and people. Actively seeks to stretch capability and scope of responsibilities. Challenges and sets, 'Stretching' goals for their team, providing feedback on performance and behaviours. Addressing under performance at the first opportunity.
Training to be provided
Things to consider
Skills required
Future prospects
Hours per week 40
Working week Monday to Friday
Bideford, Devon, United Kingdom, EX39 1NG