Outdoor Instructor Training Courses

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15 Activities | 16-22 Weeks Training| up to 30 Qualifications

Active Outdoor Pursuit’s Outdoor Instructor Training courses in Scotland are designed for enthusiastic outdoor people who want to make their dream of a career as an outdoor instructor a reality. Get up to 30 qualifications in 16 outdoor activities over 16 to 22 weeks.

The Outdoor Instructor Training Course is based in the Cairngorms National Park in the Scottish Highlands. Due to the location, you have access to some of Scotland’s finest mountains, lochs & rivers right from the doorstep. This is without a doubt the perfect place to learn the skills and train to become a professional outdoor instructor.

Get Up to 30 Qualifications in 15 Activities

  • Paddle Scotland / Paddle UK Raft Guide Award.
  • Paddlesport Instructor Award.
  • Paddlesport Touring Leader Award (or Paddlesport Leader Award).
  • Canyoning training
  • Gorge Scrambling training.
  • Paddlesport Safety and Rescue Course (PSRC).
  • White Water Safety & Rescue Training Course (WWSRT).
  • Multi Day Touring Award.
  • Start, Discover & Explore Award standard in canoe, kayak, SUP.
  • Ducky leader training.
  • Rock Climbing Instructor training.
  • Rock Climbing Instructor Assessment (for students who have already completed the Rock Climbing Instructor training course).
  • Summer Mountain Leader training.
  • Summer Mountain Leader Assessment (for students who have already completed the Mountain Leader training course).
  • National Navigation Award (NNAS).
  • Intro to Mountain Scrambling day (summer course).
  • PSIA Level 1 Ski Instructor qualification course (additional 7 week module).
  • PSIA performance awards levels 1-9 depending on outcome (additional 3 week module).
  • Intro to Winter Skills day (winter course).
  • Intro to Ski Touring day (for ski instructor candidates only).
  • DofE Expedition Assessor and Supervisor.
  • Outdoor First Aid Certification.
  • Expedition training on water & land.
  • Child wellbeing & protection in Sport safeguarding course.
  • Being a professional instructor and professional responsibilities.
  • Risk assessment in the Outdoors.

Activities List

  1. White Water Rafting
  2. Open Canoe
  3. Kayak River
  4. Kayak Touring (Sea / Loch)
  5. Kayak Sit on Top
  6. Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP)
  7. Mega SUP
  8. Rock Climbing & Abseiling
  9. Canyoning
  10. Gorge Scrambling
  11. Duckies
  12. Hill Walking
  13. Mountain Scrambling
  14. Navigation
  15. Camping and Expedition Skills
  16. Winter Skills
  17. Alpine Downhill skiing
  18. Ski Touring

Why Have We Selected These Qualifications & Activities

All of the professional qualifications that you will gain on the course have been selected because they are the outdoor instructor industry’s most sought after and prestigious NGB qualifications. We have carefully selected the water, mountain, snow and additional qualifications to ensure that you are as qualified as possible in all areas and activities ready to role into any outdoor instructing career you choose. We also incorporate workshops to provide you with additional crucial skills & a wider knowledge of the industry.

There is no better location in the United Kingdom to learn than Scotland. We have the snow, the rock, the rivers, the lochs and the sea. On top of this the Scottish rivers, lochs and coastlines are the most stunning in the UK. The Mountains are the largest and most remote making them the best training ground and perfect for playtime on days off.  Scotland is the only location in the UK with reliable snow. The Rock climbing is second to none in the UK with some of the greatest crags and routes around.  If you don’t believe us then come visit and see for yourself – we welcome all trainees and potential trainees to come and visit us, get to know us and fall in love with the area the same as we have.

Not only this but you will be trained and assessed by the industries best coaches and instructors. Previous candidates who started their career with us on our outdoor instructor training course have then went on to have the privilege to become British Mountain Guides, sat on technical boards for British Canoeing, become British Canoeing & Scottish Canoe association Providers and even become directors for Mountain Training Courses. We truly believe that if you set your mind to it and give this course your all then the sky is your limit.

It is for all the above that we have selected these particular qualifications and activities and based ourselves in the best location within the UK for your training and development. Many Trainees choose to stay on with us afterwards in employment on our IDP course. But should you choose to go and work anywhere else in the UK this set of qualifications allows you to go anywhere.

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