Due to the impact that Covid-19 has had on the outdoor industry; the lack of school bookings and social distancing rules mean that we are not currently able to commit to running the scheme this year. We have therefore taken the unfortunate decision to postpone the scheme for the time being.
We will be reviewing our opportunities over the following months and if the opportunity arises then we hope that we may be able to run a more compact, 6 month, intensive scheme sometime in the new year.
PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL ABOUT THIS SCHEME. Information will be released here the second we have anything confirmed. Emails can not be responded to at this time. Check back again at the end of the year.
the best way into a career in the great outdoors!!!
• No cost to you!!!
• We pay YOU a training wage from day one
• 12 month, full-time contract of employment
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Outdoor Activity Leadership
• 28 days of paid holiday
• We'll pay for all your training and qualifications
• Includes summer and winter qualifications
• Earn more as you become qualified
• Additional payment for every session you lead
• Full year industry experience
• Nationwide training
• All equipment provided
• Uniform provided
• Personal outdoor kit at trade prices
• Unlimited shadowing opportunities
• Instructor contracts available on completion
• Minimum age 18 at start of course
THE QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING YOU'LL GET
NGB QUALIFICATIONS
• Level 3 Apprenticeship in Outdoor Activity Leadership
• Rock Climbing Instructor Training (RCI)
• Cave Leader Training
• Cave Leader or Rock Climbing Instructor assessment
• Paddle Award Explore
• White Water Award
• Canoe Award
• Stand Up Paddleboard Award
• Foundation Safety & Rescue Training
• Paddlesport Instructor
• Ski Instructor
• Archery Leader
• Air Rifle Instructor
• Duke Of Edinburgh Award Supervisor
• Duke Of Edinburgh Award Assessor
• Teaching Orienteering Part 1
• Outdoor First Aid Award
• Safeguarding Award
• Food Hygiene Certificate
• Enhanced DBS
IN HOUSE TRAINING
Snowboarding, Snowsport equipment technician, Archery Active, Crate Stack, Raft building, Assault Course, Mission Impossible and Bushcraft
WE PAY YOU TO BECOME AN OUTDOOR INSTRUCTOR
You'll get summer and winter NGB qualifications and a valuable full year of experience leading and coaching groups.
MONTHLY SALARY FROM DAY ONE!
Most Instructor Training programmes cost thousands of pounds up front, only last a couple of months and usually take place in the quiet winter season.
Mendip has pioneered an alternative way into the industry. We pay for your training, qualifications and you'll receive a training salary from day one. You’ll earn at least £620 per month and you’ll get a full year of training and experience.
Your basic allowance can be topped up as soon as you gain in-house or NGB qualifications.
Within the first few months you’ll be able to lead sessions in some activities and top up your basic allowance by £18.75 per half day session. In previous years Instructors have led between 200 and 250 paid sessions.
MENDIP LIFE
There’s no better place to base your training than Mendip Activity Centre in the heart of the Mendip Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
With 250 acres of land including a snowsport park and rocksport quarry on site and world renowned climbing, caving and riding on our doorstep. We are perfectly located to access the best rivers in the country and we’re just an hour from the International White Water Centre.
Located ten minutes from Bristol International Airport we’re a short bus ride into Bristol City Centre – a thriving hub of social and cultural activity, with return buses 24 hours a day. A creative and independent city with a buzzing music scene, great restaurants and bars and five indoor climbing centres.
It’s not surprising Bristol is consistently named as one of the best places to live and work in the UK. We’re also close to the coast and the seaside town of Weston-super-Mare.
WHAT'S THE CATCH??
You'll be employed on a full year training contract and you'll be a valued part of our team from day one.
Your training will be structured and carefully planned and scheduled. However, when you're not developing your personal skills, training, on courses or running sessions you'll be expected to help around the centre.
As part of our core instructional team you will play a crucial role alongside our full-time instructors to ensure the smooth running of our busy outdoor activity centre. No two days will be the same and you will be expected to muck in with everything from kit checks, snow sport equipment fitting, driving, safety briefs, site maintenance to helping build our two tented villages.
You'll leave with a real insight into life working in a busy outdoor centre and have a years worth of group experience.
selection process
We’ve been refining our selection process for over 20 years.
We'll invite you to join us for a unique two day, overnight adventure. This gives us the opportunity to really get to know each other. You’ll get the chance to try some of our activities, have a tour of our centre and facilities, meet our team and ask all your questions.
Whatever the outcome, we guarantee you’ll enjoy the interview process, get a taste of the outdoor life and meet some great like-minded people.
We have two selection interview dates to choose from (16th - 17th July or 20th - 21st July, 2020). You'll need to attend one of these. Both are over two days starting at 9am and ending in the afternoon of the following day.
CAREER PROGRESSION
Graduate the course and you will have plenty of year round career opportunities.
We will guarantee you an interview at the end of the year to continue working with us on a full time, seasonal or freelance basis.
Our course is well respected in the industry - so if you prefer to relocate after graduating we will introduce you to other outdoor centres, help you put together a CV and supply references so you can get the job you want in the area you want.
EQUIPMENT AT TRADE PRICES
You don't need all the latest, expensive outdoor kit. You are welcome to use all our equipment throughout the year. However, we have great links with outdoor specialist suppliers so you can get any kit you need at trade prices.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When does the contract start?
Your year begins on Monday 31 August 2020 and finishes at the end of August 2021.
Do you provide accommodation?
Most of our participants rent a spare room from one of our team or apply for housing benefit and rent together privately. We can support you with either option.
Do I need any experience?
No previous experience necessary. Whilst experience in outdoor activities can be an advantage, we are looking for people with the right attitude, outlook and personality.
How do I apply?
Click here to apply online.
mendip outdoor pursuits
Mendip’s pioneering Instructor Training Scheme has been running for over 20 years and is the best way into a career in the outdoor industry.
Established in 1987, Mendip Outdoor Pursuits, has grown into the biggest and most reputable outdoor activity provider in the South West.
Our unique 250-acre site nestled in the heart of the Mendip Hills includes an indoor residential centre, two canvas villages, private rocksport quarry, snowsport park and cave system with easy access to everything the Mendip Hills has to offer.
Our unrivaled success is largely due to the reputation and experience of our instructors – who we believe are the best in the business. Our pioneering approach to instructor training has evolved since we launched our industry-first training programme in 1995. Subsequently, we’ve built our business and our hard-earned reputation on the back of our successful training programme.
We know how tough it is to get started in the outdoor industry which is why we invest in people, training and qualifications.
If you’re aiming for a rewarding career as an outdoor professional, this is the course for you.
