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Having second year of adventure
TRAINEES: Scott Christian and Lucy Connors
THE success of a scheme to train young instructors to work in what’s described as ‘adventure education’ means it is being repeated for a second year.
Josh Rowlands was the first trainee instructor, on a pilot programme supported by the Golden Jubilee Trust and Ardwhallan Jubilee Trust.
Josh got involved with the Department of Education and Children’s outdoor work when he was among the first intake of part-time assistant trainee instructors – ‘adventure education’ recruits these each November – and he progressed to become the first full trainee instructor in September 2011.
The 19-year-old from Ballasalla has now headed off to the University of Cumbria to study outdoor leadership.
Jenny Lantry, outdoor worker with adventure education, said: ‘Two trainee instructors have been taken on, with the two trusts kindly continuing their sponsorship.’
This year’s trainee instructors are Scott Christian and Lucy Connors, who have both been on the part-time assistant instructor course.
Scott has been with adventure education for two years. He joined the kayak club, which is run at Ardwhallan on Wednesday evenings during the summer, as part of his gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. He was selected for the assistant instructors’ programme last November and this has given him a great grounding for the trainee instructor programme.
Scott will finish his A-levels, studying in the evenings at the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education, and so is free to take up the full-time position at Ardwhallan. He plans to go to Chichester University to continue his studies in outdoor education in September 2013.
Scott said: ‘This is a tremendous opportunity for me, undergoing a year in the industry, teaching me what I will need to know to get ahead at university, and I can finish my A-levels at the same time. It’s my dream job.’
Lucy joined the kayak club six years ago and attended courses at Ardwhallan ‘just for fun’ until she was chosen as an assistant instructor in November 2010.
After completing her year in that role, Lucy stayed on to help out at the centre while studying for a level 3 diploma in hospitality and catering at the College.
That qualification under her belt, she is thrilled to gain a full-time trainee instructor post and said: ‘I am looking forward to the year ahead and want to make the most of this opportunity to work in adventure education. I hope to find out if I want to pursue a career in outdoor education, which has always been a hobby for me in the past, or if I should continue with my other passion, cooking. I would love to pair the two up and this year gives me some chances to do this. It is going to be a great year.’
Recruits are sought for the part-time assistant instructor programme, running again from next month. Volunteers aged 16 and over are invited to the weekend at Ardwhallan on November 10 and 11. Phone Jenny on 375213 or Paul Melling, head of outdoor centres, on 407549 to book a place.
The assistant instructor programme is sponsored by Britannia International and assistant instructors study for a qualification in understanding outdoor education.
Ardwhallan hosts tailor-made sessions for primary and secondary school groups and runs on and off-island courses.
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Weather for Isle of Man
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 26 mph
Wind direction: North
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Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
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