Through our partnership with Box Hill TAFE and Outdoor Training College, our Traineeships kick start your career. As a Trainee, you will lead outdoor education programs while studying and training towards a nationally recognised Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership – all while receiving a salary. At the end of your Traineeship, with a year of hands-on experience, you can launch your career in the outdoor industry.
If you have a real passion for the outdoors but have no experience, you can learn while you earn with us! As a Trainee, you'll complete your Certificate IV in Outdoor Leadership, incorporating hands-on industry experience while working and developing your skills with Australia's largest outdoor education provider.
Throughout your studies, you'll work closely with experienced members of The Outdoor Education Group and attain all the knowledge and skills required to guide extraordinary outdoor education programs in amazing locations. Upon completing your Traineeship, you will have gained a nationally recognised qualification, a year's worth of invaluable experience and have become a part of a community of passionate outdoor professionals.
You'll be ready to take the next step in your career and you'll discover many opportunities for outdoor education jobs and career development.
Brendan Reilly, successful Trainee, New South Wales, said, "I was surrounded by positive people with similar interests who wanted to see me grow. We had fantastic staff teaching us fun outdoor skills in beautiful bush settings. During my Traineeship, I was constantly thinking of how I could bring students back to these incredible places and help open their eyes to the wonder, beauty, and lessons found while out in the bush."
Our national Training Calendar encompasses all our professional development opportunities for our team members around the country. We provide 25 skillset training units, 5 of which are induction and 22 are training and assessment units providing an internal qualification and ensuring our teams deliver high-quality outdoor education programs.
Our Outdoor Essential Practice (OEP) framework will guide you through the practical steps needed to deliver impactful outdoor education programs, covering three areas: Outdoor Leadership, Education and Group Management & Logistics.
Darcy Walsh, successful Trainee, Victoria, said of his Traineeship, "The highlight of my Traineeship was the first few weeks before I began group leading. I assisted with logistic support, operations/catering support, teacher replacements and other Outdoor Educators at a centre-based camp. The experience gave me a complete understanding of how the company worked to achieve the goal of educating students in the outdoors. It enabled me the experience to learn from other team members and observe the styles in which they worked and sometimes didn't work with a group of students. The scenarios and exams in my workbooks directly related to what I was doing on a daily basis. It was invaluable to be studying in an environment that allowed me to learn while leading groups of students."
Because The Outdoor Education Group delivers Camp, 30-day Journeys and everything in between, during your Traineeship, you can choose to work in a centre-based camp or journeys environment.
If you're looking for permanent, stable hours and wish to be home on weekends and evenings, a Camp Traineeship might be perfect for you! If you're keen to explore further afield and are more flexible with your time, a Journey Traineeship might suit you best.
Unlike a TAFE or university course, where there are few unpaid placement opportunities provided and no minimum prerequisite for client-facing time, we guarantee consistent time working with clients and students.
Initially, Trainees begin by accompanying our Senior Outdoor Educators, observing not only how they facilitate and lead but also how they manage their student groups. Trainees then move onto a supportive role, assisting our Outdoor Educators and working alongside them – all while earning a salary.
Some TAFEs and Universities will provide simulated experiences. As a Trainee with The Outdoor Education group, nothing is simulated – you will gain real industry experience.
As part of your Journeys Traineeship, our partners, Box Hill TAFE, will conduct training trips, where you will learn the basics. After some time with us, practising what you've learnt and extending your skills, Box Hill TAFE conducts assessments in bushwalking, canoeing, mountain biking, high ropes, search and research, group management and river crossing and more.
Camps Traineeships are in partnership with Outdoor Training College. The team from Outdoor Training College conduct several weeks of training, including canoeing, high ropes, access rescues, and bushwalking mid-year and towards the end of the year.
As your employer, The Outdoor Education Group allow you enough time to complete your studies while working with us throughout the year. Coursework is completed online, with interstate students required to join us in Victoria for some assessments.
You don't need to be a master navigator or an expert paddler. To apply for a Traineeship with The Outdoor Education Group, you don't need to have any experience! We accept applicants for an interview who are at least 17 years of age, have been Australian residents for more than six months and are ready to begin an unforgettable adventure!