SELF-EMPLOYED OUTDOOR SKILLS INSTRUCTOR
Chat and shadow invitation: Greenway Training, Wiltshire
Charlotte and the team at Greenway Training have been championing instructor opportunities for ex-forces for a few years now. It's an ideal way to take the excellent organisational, communications and leadership skills service-leavers have in abundance and apply them in a new setting on your own terms. Charlotte invites you to get in touch with her either directly or through Ruralink and discuss how you can make the transition to this role. Including spending a day shadowing a qualified instructor at work.
Austin Hind - Self-employed Outdoor Skills Instructor
Austin Hind left the Army in 2021. Having decided he wished to be self-employed and having identified a demand for the work, he trained as a dry-stone waller before he left the army and set up Hind Dry Stone in time to start trading immediately.
However, shortly after qualifying, Austin was asked to take over as the instructor on a dry-stone walling course and then on a tractor-driving course at the same school. This has allowed him to diversify his earnings as an insurance against future ill-health.
Most outdoor instructors are certified by LANTRA and operate as self-employed "sole traders". Outdoor Skills centres, such as Greenway Training, need reliable, competent instructors to teach their programme of courses and so developing a good reputation will generate increasing opportunities. The LANTRA qualifying process helps new instructors gain initial opportunities.
Ex-military personnel with previous instructional experience may not be required to undertake elements of the LANTRA pathway.
Austin is happy to offer advice and support to anyone considering setting up as an instructor; you can contact him via Ruralink or directly through his business.
Austin Hind - Drystone waller (ex-Army)