CSL and Longridge Activity Centre start their 4th cohort of Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprentices

CSL and Longridge Activity Centre have been working together to deliver the Level 3 Outdoor Activity Instructor Apprenticeship for 3 years and are just about to start their 4th cohort of apprentices in time for the outdoor sector to reopen later in April. The partnership between CSL and Longridge is cemented by shared values and a passion for outdoor activity and the health and wellbeing benefits that it brings.   

Longridge Activity Centre is a charity (Longridge-On-The-Thames) run outdoor adventure centre that provides the opportunity for 80,000 young people to part in activities and experience the magic of the Thames and its beautiful surrounds.

The Outdoor Activity Apprenticeship programme prepares apprentices with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to deliver an outstanding experience to the young people who visit the centre each year.  The apprentices hone their skills to be able to plan and deliver activities including climbing, kayaking, archery, and paddle boarding enabling thousands of young people to have a positive experience participating in outdoor activity.  What makes this programme even more unique is that apprentices live on site and are therefore fully immersed in their learning experience and life at Longridge. 

“This programme sees apprentices develop into competent Outdoor Activity Instructors and grow as people, gaining confidence, independence and resilience which they carry forward into their careers within the sector. It has been great to see the programme evolve and I’m looking forward to seeing the next wave of apprentices undertake their training.”
Stuart Kendrick, Director of Learning and Development CSL 

“In 2016 we met our first cohort of apprentices. The aim was to provide a work based training programme that really did provide a stepping stone to employment.  Five years later, and in a very different world we welcomed our 2021 cohort this week to start their new adventure! Some of our graduate apprentices are now in Australia, Europe and across the UK in a wide range of roles. With this year seeing a 2016 apprentice return to lead the activity team as their manager. We are proud of all of their achievements, on and off activities. Having apprentices changes the teams dynamics and provides more experienced staff with opportunities to mentor and share their knowledge.” 
Suzie Skehill, Head of Centres 

CSL would like to take this opportunity to wish this 4th cohort of Outdoor Activity Instructors every success on their apprenticeship journey, and if you would like more information regarding the programmes CSL offer then please click here for our full offer.