National Occupational Standards – Outdoors
The following national occupational standards are currently available for the outdoor sector.
Activity leadership
The activity leadership standards are the ‘entry level’ NOS for those working in the outdoors. They are suitable for those involved in the outdoors, sports and recreational activity leadership, and define the standards required for planning, delivering and evaluating generic activity sessions.
View the activity leadership standards 
Outdoor programmes
The outdoor programmes standards primarily cover those working (or volunteering) in the outdoor recreation, education or development training fields. They describe the skills, knowledge and understanding required by a typical instructor running outdoor programmes, often, but not exclusively, in an outdoor centre context. The standards reference NGB guidelines and qualifications, but do not describe the specifics of technical skills needed in addition to those of the instructor.
View the outdoor programmes standards
Expedition leadership and management
Expedition leadership and management is the first set of employer defined standards for the expedition sub-sector. The standards are occupational and relate to the individual, unlike British Standard BS8848 which defines the standards for organisations running expeditions to follow.
View the Expedition leadership and management standards
Outdoors senior roles
The outdoor sector senior roles NOS is a new suite of occupational standards created for those working with, or within, the outdoors sector. They are particularly relevant to the outdoor recreation / education / development training sub-sectors and those undertaking managerial, supervisory and senior practitioner roles.
An introductory document is available for download to complement the new suite; this will help to plant some ideas about using NOS, and will assist those new to occupational standards to maximise the value of the benefits available. The document also contains definitions of key terms used in the suite.
Outdoor Programmes Level 3
Apprentices can build skills in supervising and leading outdoor activities with an NVQ in Outdoor Programmes which is available at Level 3.
This qualification covers key areas such as organising people and resources, good working relationships, conservation and health and safety of both customers and colleagues.
Who are they for?
This qualification is for those who lead or supervise outdoor programmes for education, recreation or development training.
Why choose the National Skill Academy?
The National Skills Academy has access to many training providers across the UK. Once we fully understand what you wish to gain from this apprenticeship, the National Skills Academy will put you in touch with an approved training provider, who will work closely with you to deliver the necessary training and ensure the programme meets your requirements.