SPORT NORTHERN IRELAND - TOLLYMORE MOUNTAIN CENTRE
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
SCHEME DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Participant, Instructor Development Programme
Reporting To: Centre Manager
Training Allowance: £125 per week
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
The Instructor Development Programme (IDP) is a 12 month training programme. The main function of this scheme is to provide learning and development opportunities for individuals who wish to work towards developing a career as an instructor working in outdoor adventure sports.
It provides participants with the opportunity to:
· complete a range of training and assessment courses,
· work alongside some of the most experienced and qualified instructors in Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK
· Maximise learning and development opportunities through exposure to a wide range of groups and individuals as well as a wide range of courses provided by Tollymore Mountain Centre
· Network with a large number of employers, freelance and fulltime staff from a range of centres throughout Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK.
Participants on the scheme complete a range of operational duties, which generally will be no more than 15 hours per week. Responsibilities include:
· Those associated with the role of ‘Duty Instructor’
· Those associated with centre office duties on average one afternoon per week and climbing wall desk on average one evening per week
· Those associated with maintenance of the stores in the Centre
The Instructor Development Programme requires that participants attend Tollymore Mountain Centre on average 5 days per week, which will include weekend and evening work. A general work programme will be completed in advance, with a detailed programme completed monthly. This will allow accurate planning for attendance on courses, attendance at the climbing wall, planning leave and other matters. The programme is designed to provide participants with an insight into the responsibilities, demands and rewards pertaining to working as an instructor and participants are therefore expected to be available on the same basis as full time instructional staff.
Participants on the scheme will generally not be required to work alone, but may lead parts of sessions in order to gain experience and receive feedback from the instructor in charge. Instructional staff will be in a position to both brief and review the participant on running a session and how they might plan to deal with any situation that may arise. The delivery of instructional sessions will become a learning opportunity for the participant.
As the participants gain experience and qualifications, it will be at the discretion of the lead instructor as to what the role of the participant might be. The lead instructor will still have overall responsibility for the group, but if conditions / the group / the environment are appropriate they may be opportunities for the participant to take a more leading role.
Accommodation in Tollymore Mountain Centre is not provided for the duration of the scheme (however it is possible that participants will be eligible for Housing Benefit from the local Housing Executive to cover the cost of rent in the area. The local Housing Executive office is in Downpatrick, tel: 028 4461 3551). When participants are ‘on duty’ in the centre, accommodation and meals are provided by Tollymore Mountain Centre.
2 TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
All participants on the Instructor Development Programme will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and experience through attending formally instructed courses, observation of lead instructors and leading sessions under the supervision of appropriately qualified instructors.
1. Attending Courses
Tollymore Mountain Centre runs a wide variety of governing body training and assessment courses, including:
Hillwalking, Rockclimbing and Mountaineering:
o Climbing Wall Supervisor’s Award Training and Assessment
o Single Pitch Award Training and Assessment
o Multi Pitch Award Training and Assessment
o Walking Group Leader Award Training and Assessment
o Mountain Leader Award Training and Assessment
o Winter Mountain Leader Award Training
o Mountaineering Instructor Award Training and Assessment
Canoesport
o 1 – 5 star proficiency in all disciplines (Inland, Open Canoe, Sea, Surf)
o Level 1 – 5 Coach Training and Assessment in all disciplines
Participants on the Instructor Development Programme will have the opportunity to attend a variety of these formal courses, should their level of experience and ability meet the relevant scheme pre-requirements.
2. Observing Lead Instructors
Participants will have the opportunity to observe lead instructors on a wide variety of programmes offered by Tollymore Mountain Centre. These programmes include:
o Multi activity day and residential courses for schools and youth groups
o Development training programmes for commercial organisations
o Instructed Climbing Wall Sessions
o Organisation specific training courses such as leadership training within walking clubs, rescue courses for kayak clubs etc.
o Activity specific training courses such as coasteering workshops etc.
o Skill development courses such as climbing wall coaching etc.
3. Leading Sessions Under Supervision
As participants’ experience and skill develops, they will have the opportunity to lead sessions under the supervision of qualified instructors. Feedback and advice to the participants will be provided on a regular and structured basis.
4. Record of Training
Participants will be provided with a training log and will develop a personal training schedule for their period in Tollymore Mountain Centre. This working document will be an important record of all training completed.
5. Training Mentor
Each participant on the scheme will have a ‘mentor’ – one of the full time staff at Tollymore Mountain Centre. The mentor will be available to give advice on progress, discuss training needs and goals and provide practical advice on development.
6. Developing Experience
During less busy periods in the centre, participants will have the opportunity to develop personal skills both through formal training with the full time staff and personal trips to go climbing, walking and paddling, appropriate to the participants ability.
7. Networking
Tollymore Mountain Centre is continually visited by active climbers, paddlers and walkers, many of whom are potential employers. This scheme provides participants with an ideal opportunity to network with a wide variety of people from Northern Ireland, Ireland and the UK.
3. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
At the end of the 12 month contract, participants may be appointed to the list of Tollymore Mountain Centre casual staff, subject to successful completion of an induction / assessment and gaining the appropriate qualifications. Should participants gain the Climbing Wall Supervisors Award during the 12 month period of the scheme, they will be added to the list of staff who are able to deliver climbing wall sessions. The current rate of pay for this work is £40 per session.