Outdoor learning specialist
Level 5 · HigherHealth and science 2 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
Outdoor learning specialists design and facilitate meaningful learning experiences in natural outdoor environments, working across education, health, social care, and conservation sectors. This Level 5 apprenticeship is aimed at practitioners who use outdoor learning as a deliberate tool for personal development, wellbeing, and curriculum enhancement. Graduates can work with schools, charities, NHS services, or social enterprises.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Theoretical frameworks underpinning outdoor and nature-based learning
Facilitation skills for therapeutic and educational outdoor programmes
Designing inclusive outdoor learning curricula and activities
Risk-benefit assessment and outdoor safety management
Environmental sustainability, ecology, and place-based education
Evaluation methods and evidencing the impact of outdoor learning
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Design and deliver outdoor learning programmes for specific groups or outcomes
Facilitate reflective activities in natural settings
Assess and manage risk while maximising learning benefits
Collaborate with schools, care teams, or youth services
Evaluate programme outcomes and produce impact reports
Support learner wellbeing and resilience through outdoor experience
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 5 (Higher) - roughly Foundation-degree level. Usually needs Level 3 (A-levels, a T-Level, or an Advanced apprenticeship) or relevant experience.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 6 (Degree) apprenticeship or a senior role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
No employer videos yet for this apprenticeship. Employers offering it can add one to show young people what the role is really like.