Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

The Work

Outdoor pursuits instructors work with individuals or small groups, teaching them a range of skills. These include abseiling, kayaking, caving, dry skiing, mountain walking, orienteering, parachuting, and horse riding, rock climbing, sailing and wind surfing. They teach all ages and abilities.  
 
Courses may last for just one or two days or for one or two weeks. Groups may come from schools, youth clubs or Guide/Scout groups. They may also come as part of a work-based training scheme for new trainees or senior managers. Individuals or families may come for holidays or to extend existing skills. The instructors therefore have to plan a programme of activities that is different for each course or group. The programme is tailored to meet particular needs, interests and levels of ability and experience.  
 
Although some lecturing is involved, much is done by practical demonstration and helping individuals to complete the various outdoor pursuits. Instructors also have to teach basic safety rules and emergency first aid procedures. They may also be involved in running social activities in the evenings on residential courses.  
 
Other duties include advising on equipment for outdoor activities, writing up reports, keeping student records and other administration. It may also be necessary to drive a minibus to transport students to locations away from the centre.  
 
All outdoor pursuits instructors have to pay great attention to Health and Safety regulations. The work may be dangerous on occasions. Instructors work out of doors as long as weather conditions are safe to complete an activity.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
• Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
• Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
• Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
• Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
• Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
• Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
• Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximise benefits from exercise routines.
• Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.
• Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.

Further Information

• Outdoor Activities Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Outdoor Activities Instructor - from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Outdoor pursuit instructors are required to pass all exams set by their specialty areas (kayaking, mountaineering etc.) national association. Instructors can usually find work after receiving these awards but many employers may also require their instructors to have a certificate, diploma or degree in outdoor recreation or some related qualification. Instructors who have managerial duties are expected to have some such qualification. Relevant courses are available, at Certificate, Diploma and Degree level, countrywide.  

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Outdoor instructor education, Group facilitation, Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder

FET PLC Courses: Outdoor Recreation, Outdoor Adventure Education, Outdoor Activity Instructor, Adventure Tourism (Outdoor Sports) at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder

Apprenticeship: There are currently no sports apprenticeships available at this time, but more are in development Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Outdoor Education, Community & Sports development NFQ Levels 7-8 Search our CAO coursefinder 

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €48k

Salaries vary based on employer (state or private), location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
ETBI/ Gov.ie/ Excel

Last Updated: March, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels fell in this occupation between 2021 and 2022, with 6,000 fewer people employed compared to pre-COVID-19 levels. The CSO Census data shows that employment numbers were small across the individual roles included in this occupation; although the Census shows that there was some growth over the period 2016 to 2022, this was primarily related to fitness instructors.

A half of all persons employed in this occupation worked part-time, far exceeding the national average of 22%. Employment permits issued for this group related to professional sports players sports coaches/instructors. The rising cost of living is likely to have an impact on the demand for the services provided by many people working in these occupations.

An increased use of digital fitness, particularly during COVID-19, may also have an impact on future demand for these roles, along with a shift in the skills profile required (e.g. digital skills). As such, the outlook for this occupation is uncertain, with any potential employment growth dependent on the levels of consumer discretionary spending.

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