Due to demand, Cambrian Survival is instituting a Survival Instructor programme.
This is designed to select and mentor those people with the right qualities to be an instructor at Cambrian Survival.
The job of a survival instructor at Cambrian Survival is surely one of the best jobs in the world. You spend a great deal of time in the Great Outdoors, leading groups as they discover a more profound understanding and respect for Nature. It allows you the opportunity to broaden your own skills and become much more intimate with all that nature offers.
But, and it is a big but, to be a Cambrian Survival Instructor we are looking for much more than mere competence at various wilderness and survival skills. You must have the capacity to teach what you know and make the subject enjoyable and fun at the same time. You must know when to push and when to step back.
It can be a very demanding job. Our courses run throughout the year and in all weather conditions. The hours can be long and the demands upon you many and various. Indeed, you can expect to be a teacher, confidante, counsellor and shoulder to lean on all in one course. That said, the positive aspects of the job are incredible.
To see people succeed beyond their wildest expectations and to witness them reconnecting with nature in a truly deep and meaningful way is a privilege. Indeed, being a Cambrian Survival Instructor goes way beyond most jobs. It is deeply rewarding and fulfilling experience and allows you that rare opportunity to get paid to do something you love.
We are looking for fit, robust and intelligent individuals who love the outdoors and want to share their passion and knowledge for it with others. We are looking for a specific combination of qualities but, if we think you have the right stuff, we will develop and mentor you to become a Cambrian Survival Instructor.
What we are looking for:
- Ability and Skill. Simply put, Cambrian Survival Instructors lead by example.
- Knowledge and Understanding. We are looking for an existing degree of knowledge and understanding and the desire to keep learning more.
- Passion for the subject. Without this enthusiasm, you are not going to succeed.
- Approachability. You are there to help and encourage.
- Sense of humour. Enjoying life is what it is all about.
- Ability to express yourself clearly and logically.
- Good level of health and fitness. We are looking for physically and mentally robust individuals.
- Integrity. This is one of the most important qualities we look for. You must be honest, truthful and completely trustworthy.
- Maturity - not necessarily in age but in attitude and experience.
- Factor X - hard to put your finger on but this is the quality and spark that sets you aside. In short, it is your character, knowledge and ability that makes us see you as a potential instructor.
- Full driving licence.
Training
To become a full instructor is a 5 Stage process.
Stages 1-2 = Training and Core Skills Development
Stages 3-5 = Teaching Instruction and Course Leadership Development. You will observe how a course is organised and run, prior to running 2 Basic Weekends and 1 Basic 5 Day Course.
Stage 1
Attend a Basic 5 Day course*. This gives you an excellent grounding into wilderness and survival skills. It allows us to take a good look at you while at the same time you get to take a good look at us 'from the factory floor' and see the standards we aspire to. During the course, you will have an initial interview.
Stage 2
Continue to practice and refine your skills and attend our 5 Day Advanced Course*. The reason behind this is simple - you must be able to practice what you preach. During the 5 Day Advanced course, you will have an in-depth interview.
Stage 3
If we like what we see and you are still keen to pursue an Instructor's post, you will be invited back to observe and assist on courses**. You will also be given an opportunity to plan, prepare and deliver lessons, gradually assuming more responsibility and teaching more lessons. The rate at which responsibility is given depends entirely on your ability. Our aim here is to develop and mentor you, not overwhelm you.
Stage 4
When mutually agreed, this stage will see you organise and deliver 2 Basic Weekend Courses**. We will be in the background to help and assist where necessary but it really is your show and your chance to impress. The previous experience of delivering specific lessons means this is a natural progression and something that you will be ready for. It is also important to remember this is by no means a solo effort, rather the fact that you are responsible for the overall weekend.
Stage 5
The final stage is to organise and deliver a Basic 5 Day Course**. Yet again, the experience of being responsible for several Basic Weekends and also having assisted on several 5 Day courses means this is a natural progression. On satisfactory completion of these 5 stages, you will be ready to assume the mantle of 'Cambrian Survival Instructor'.
* The cost of attending both these courses is at the advertised rate. ** Stages 3-5 are unpaid. On satisfactory completion of Stage 5, you will thereafter be paid at full instructor rates.
So what do I do now?
The best way to proceed is to send us your CV and then phone our office on 01970 612969 and have a chat. On a mutually agreed date, you will come down and attend a 5 Day Course. The rate at which you progress is then entirely up to you. The normal timeframe to complete the Cambrian Survival Instructor process is 12 to 18 months.