Take  Your First Step as an Outdoor Instructor

Entry  Level Training for Aspiring Outdoor Activity  Instructors

Six  weeks duration: Monday 22^nd October to Sunday 2^nd December  2012

Price: £1,995 including all training, NGB registrations & course fees, &  self-catering accommodation

Looking  for a start in the outdoor activities industry but don't know where to begin?  Applied for positions & heard nothing back? Been on selection weekends &  been unsuccessful? Looking to change direction from another sector / career? If  you recognise any of these situations, then Craggan
Outdoors' introductory  outdoor instructor training course is for you!

Craggan  Outdoors, situated in beautiful Speyside in the Cairngorms National Park at the  heart of the Scottish Highlands, is a small centre that offers exceptional  outdoor activity-based experiences to visitors from a wide range of markets. The  exceptional quality of the service delivered is reflected in the fact that  Craggan Outdoors has been TripAdvisor's top-rated outdoor centre in Scotland  since 2009.

Each  year we recruit a number of passionate outdoors people through our Volunteer  Trainee Instructor programme, & across the spring-to-autumn season play a  significant part in developing them into high quality junior level outdoor  instructors. We are deluged with applications, with many coming from those that  do not yet have the appropriate prior experience, & / or entry level NGBs, & / or proof of prior people-facing customer service environments in order  to be considered for invitation to our selection weekend.

Accordingly, & having researched other instructor training courses already out there, we  recognised a gap in the market for good value intensive training that will equip  would-be instructors to take that next step in developing a career in this most  competitive of industries.

Across  an intensive 6-week period the course will cover the  following:    

• Standard  Operating Procedures & Risk Assessments....the bedrock of outdoor  instruction       

• 16-hour  First Aid....a must for all instructors     
• GNAS  Archery Leader....archery is many centres' number 1 activity by participant  numbers       
• Kayak & canoe paddle skills to 1, 2 or 3 star Level*       
• Trail  Cycle Leader training*       
• Training & experience on common / popular non-NGB activities such as high ropes &  zip wire       
• Climbing  log days towards SPA
• Team  problem solvinG
• 'Soft'  skills....coaching styles & techniques, verbal & non-verbal  communication       
• Two  free days per week to get out & 'play' in our fantastic environment!

* subject  to individual participants' prior experience, & skills developed during the  course

Learning & experience will be gained in a range of different ways, including  instructor-led, peer group learning & delivery, & 'real life' experience  with client groups booked at the centre during the period of the course. Many  courses concentrate on the 'hard' technical skills & work purely towards  NGBs, often at considerable financial cost to the participant, but completely  overlook the fact that what sets apart a really strong candidate / instructor is  their people skills. Can you inspire, motivate, instil confidence, reassure? Are  you able to use different coaching & communication techniques with different  individuals
& group types? It's not all 'one size fits all', & the  best instructors recognise & deliver this, even early in their careers.  These are the instructors that will make their mark at interview & selection  weekends, & be in demand by centres.

That's  how this course is different from many others on the market, & we know from  experience that any participant that completes it successfully sets themselves  up for an entry level position in the industry for the following season. Two  participants from the 2011 course were offered positions at Craggan Outdoors for  the 2012 season, & we know that others secured positions elsewhere.

Feedback  from 2011 participants included:

"Great  variety of activity experiences, & great that the soft skills had such  priority as I honestly hadn't realised the importance of this."

"What  great staff! They've really helped me grow in my abilities in both hard &  soft skills. Thanks!"

"This  6 weeks has been fantastic! I have learned so much & am now 100% sure that  this is the industry for me."

"Instructors  were very knowledgeable, & mixed strong technical ability with good  communication & a flexible teaching approach that really helped individuals  to overcome their own personal challenges."

"Constant  learning & constant fun....what a great combination!"

So why  not get yourself a headstart & book a place now. Contact Craggan Outdoors'  owner Keith Ballam – 01479 873283 or info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk
– now with any queries & / or to book your place. A non-refundable deposit of £665 is required to secure a booking. We look forward to hearing from  you.

Needing to get your GNAS Archery Leader archery qualification? Then you've come to the right place! Craggan Outdoors, Scotland's TripAdvisor.com top-rated outdoor activity centre, will be running a GNAS Archery Leader course from Tuesday 17th April to Friday 20th April 2012.

Cost for this comprehensive 4-day residential course is £329, with this including four nights (Monday 16th to Thursday 19th April inclusive) self-catering accommodation in Craggan Outdoors' Bunkhouse (the base for the course), GNAS registration, course fee, all learning materials & equipment, all tuition & final assessment, as well as lunch on each of the four days. Our courses always secure excellent feedback from participants.

Craggan Outdoors is located at Grantown-on-Spey in the central Highlands, 15 minutes from Aviemore, & is easily accessible from anywhere in the UK. We are minutes off the main north-south A9, 3 hours from Glasgow & Edinburgh, & 30 minutes from Inverness, as well as being on the main road from Aberdeen across the Highlands. Mainline rail services come to nearby Aviemore, & Inverness Airport - offering services to many UK airports - is just 45 minutes away.

Interested? Then don't delay as these courses always book up quickly & not many are run in Scotland each year. Call 01479 873283 or email info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk to find out more &/or to book your place. A 50% deposit (non refundable) will secure a place, with the 50% balance then due by Friday 16th March 2012.

Craggan Outdoors activity centre, based at Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms National Park, is recruiting for its Volunteer Trainee Instructor programme for the 2012 season.

Background: Craggan Outdoors is one of Scotland's leading outdoor centres, being TripAdvisor.com's top-rated AALA-licensed centre since 2009, & shortlisted for 'Best Visitor Experience' in the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards in 2009 & 2010, the only outdoor centre to be nominated. The centre offers a wide range of activities, 33-bed bunkhouse accommodation & a licensed cafe venue, to a wide-ranging client base. Our website www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk will provide a full overview.

The Role: Volunteer Trainee Instructors will be immersed in the operation of a small-to-medium sized centre. An initial 6-week induction, followed by ongoing training & development, will ensure that you are able to play an integral part in the success of the 2012 season. This will include preparation & delivery of any activities in which you are qualified, assisting in others, maintenance & cleaning of kit, equipment & the centre itself, & assisting in the cafe & accommodation.

This will be coupled with your personal commitment to gain further knowledge & experience in your free time, & depending upon the level of your commitment, our further commitment to put you through a range of NGB qualifications. Those secured by participants in the 2011 programme included GNAS Archery Leader, TCL training & assessment, BCU Star awards to 3-Star level, Level 1 & Level 2 paddlesport coach, swift water rescue technician, white water safety & rescue, SPA & SML training & assessment, as well as in-house accreditation in clay pigeon shooting, gorge walking, high ropes, team problem solving, quad biking, raft building & zip wire, & also other 'soft skills' workplace qualifications such as Fundamentals in Food Hygiene & the Scottish Award for Licensed Premises Staff.

The Candidate: We are looking for the best! A great attitude & personality, innate people skills, a strong work ethic, commitment, & a desire to learn & succeed are critical. You will also be able to demonstrate a current & ongoing passion & commitment to the outdoor activities environment. This will be demonstrated by you already holding at least one NGB qualification, but likely more, as well as a valid 2-day First Aid qualification, along with a clearly apparent recent history of participation in a range of activities.

The Rewards: As well as the invaluable on-the-job training & experience that you will gain - the sort of 'real world' experience that it is impossible to achieve on paid-for courses - the qualifications that your commitment should ensure that you achieve, & a great team atmosphere with like-minded individuals in a family-run centre, we also offer accommodation, some meals & a £104 per week living allowance.

The Process: If you are serious about building a career in the outdoor activities sector, & serious about committing to spending a minimum of five months gaining experience & qualifications at one of the UK's leading outdoor centres, then we'd like to hear from you. Send your CV & covering letter outlining clearly how you meet the requirements for the role. Feel free to call centre owner Keith Ballam on 07866 698307 if you'd like to chat about things beforehand. Closing date is Friday 30^th December 2011. You must be available to attend a selection weekend on Friday 27^th to Sunday 29^th January, or Friday 3^rd to Sunday 5^th February 2012. Please do not apply if you are not available for these dates. Start date is expected to be either Monday 12^th or Monday 19^th March 2012. Good luck! We look forward to hearing from you.

Craggan Outdoors activity centre, based at Grantown-on-Spey in the Cairngorms National Park, is recruiting for the 2012 season, & as part of this recruitment is seeking a qualified & experienced instructor to work the summer peak season from May to August..

Background: Craggan Outdoors is one of Scotland's leading outdoor centres, being TripAdvisor.com's top-rated AALA-licensed centre since 2009, & shortlisted for 'Best Visitor Experience' in the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards in 2009 & 2010, the only outdoor centre to be nominated. The centre offers a wide range of activities, 33-bed bunkhouse accommodation & a licensed cafe venue, to a wide-ranging client base. Our website www.cragganoutdoors.co.uk will provide a full overview.

The Role: The role of Outdoor Activities Instructor (“Instructor”) will be a crucial element of the success of the 2012 season. The successful candidate will 'hit the ground running' following an initial induction to the centre. The role will involve preparation & delivery of activities in which the you are qualified, assisting in others, maintenance & cleaning of kit, equipment & the centre itself, & assisting in the cafe & accommodation. The Instructor will also pass through the in-house training & accreditation process in order to be able to deliver activities that fall into that category, as well as supporting the Senior Instructor in the training & development of the centre's Trainee Instructors. The position is expected to commence in early-to-mid May & to run until mid-to-late-August.

The Candidate: Our staff team is what makes the difference & secures Craggan Outdoors the recognition for consistent delivery of exceptional customer experiences. So we're looking for the best! A great attitude & personality, innate people skills, a strong work ethic, commitment, & a history of delivering fantastic customer service in a team environment are all critical. You will be able to demonstrate a strong career development path, as well as a current & ongoing passion & commitment to the outdoor activities environment. In terms of qualifications, as a minimum you will have the following in order to apply:

• 2-day First Aid qualification

• Single Pitch Award Assessment

• UKCC Level 2 Paddlesport Coach, with Moderate Water Endorsement

• Trail Cycle Leader trained

In addition it would be an added advantage have / be able to demonstrate the following:

• GNAS Archery Leader

• prior high ropes / zip wire experience

• prior gorge walking experience

• D1 &/or PCV license

The Rewards: As well as the experience & kudos of working a season at one of the UK's leading centres, & a great team atmosphere with like-minded individuals in a fantastic outdoor activities environment, we offer a weekly wage (for a 5-day week) of £199.20 to £243.20, depending upon age & experience & whether accommodation is required. Accommodation will be provided if required, with an appropriate adjustment being made to the weekly wage to reflect this. Lunch is provided on working days, as are some other meals when the centre is catering for groups. Centre equipment is available for use in time off.

The Process: If you've got the appropriate qualifications & experience, & like the idea of spending a summer developing your career at a centre recognised as offering the 'Best Visitor Experience' in Scotland, then we'd like to hear from you. Send your CV & covering letter, outlining clearly how you meet the requirements for the role. Feel free to call centre owner Keith Ballam on 07866 698307 if you'd like to chat about things beforehand. Closing date is Friday 3^rd February 2012. Please note that you must be prepared to travel to the centre for an interview / selection weekend before any job offer will be made. Please do not apply if looking to get a job purely on the strength of your CV. Start date will be agreed with the successful candidate, & is likely to be in early-to-mid May 2012. Good luck! We look forward to hearing from you.

Entry Level Training for Aspiring Outdoor Activity Instructors
Six weeks duration: Monday 24th October to Sunday 4th December 2011
Price: £1,895 including accommodation, all training, NGB registrations & course fe

Looking for a start in the outdoor activities industry but don’t know where to begin? Applied for positions & heard nothing back? Been on selection weekends & been unsuccessful? Looking to change direction from another sector / career? If you recognise any of these situations, then Craggan Outdoors’ new introductory outdoor instructor training course is for you!

Craggan Outdoors, situated in beautiful Speyside in the Cairngorms National Park at the heart of the Scottish Highlands, is the TripAdvisor top-rated outdoor centre in Scotland, 2009 & 2010, & is the only outdoor centre to make the prestigious ‘Best Visitor Experience’ shortlist in the Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, again in both 2009 & 2010.

Each year we recruit a number of passionate outdoors people through our Volunteer Trainee Instructor programme, & across the 6-month season play a significant part in developing them into high quality junior level outdoor instructors. We are deluged with applications, with many coming from those that do not yet have the appropriate prior experience, & / or entry level NGBs, & / or proof of prior people-facing customer service environments in order to be considered for invitation to our selection weekend.

Accordingly, & having researched other instructor training courses already out there, we have recognised a gap in the market for good value intensive training that will equip would-be instructors to take that next step in developing a career in this most competitive of industries.

Across an intensive 6-week period the course will cover the following:
Standard Operating Procedures & Risk Assessments….the bedrock of outdoor instruction
16-hour First Aid….a must for all instructors
GNAS Archery Leader….archery is many centres’ number 1 activity by participant numbers
Kayak & canoe paddle skills to 3 star Level*
Trail Cycle Leader training*
Training & experience on common / popular non-NGB activities like high ropes & zip wire
Climbing log days towards SPA
Walking log days towards Summer ML
Team problem solving
‘Soft’ skills….coaching styles & techniques, verbal & non-verbal communication
Two free days per week to get out & ‘play’ in our fantastic environment!
*subject to individual participants prior experience, & skills developed during the course

Learning & experience will be gained in a range of different ways, including instructor-led, peer group learning & delivery, & ‘real life’ experience with client groups booked at the centre during the period of the course. Many existing courses concentrate on the ‘hard’ technical skills & work purely towards NGBs, often at considerable financial cost to the participant, but completely overlook the fact that what sets a really strong candidate & instructor apart is their people skills. Can you inspire, motivate, instil confidence, reassure? Are you able to use different coaching & communication techniques with different individuals & group types? It’s not all ‘one size fits all’, & the best instructors recognise & deliver this, even early in their careers. These are the instructors that will make their mark at interview & selection weekends, & be in demand by centres.

That’s how this course will be different from many others currently on the market, & we are confident that any participant that completes it successfully will set themselves up for an entry level position for the 2012 season. We are that confident in this that we will expect to secure some, or possibly all of the participants for our trainee instructor positions for 2012 from participants on this course!

So why not get yourself a headstart & book a place now. Contact Craggan Outdoors’ owner Keith Ballam – 01479 873283 or info@cragganoutdoors.co.uk – now with any queries & / or to book your place. A non-refundable deposit of £635 is required to secure a booking.