Outward Bound Instructor

Matt Lander works for The Outward Bound Trust as an instructor. He is based at the Trust's Loch Eil centre.

How would you outline your role?

I facilitate personal development courses, primarily for young people aged between 15 and 18, helping them to discover new personal skills and qualities. The courses are residentially-based, but almost all of our time is spent having adventures, out in the West Highlands of Scotland.

What are your main responsibilities?

My primary responsibility has to be the safety of the participants on my course. However, the educational aspect of my job represents a much greater proportion of my time. My role is about creating situations in which people can challenge themselves, personally and as part of a team. Often they surprise themselves, discover hidden strengths and redefine their personal limits.

What hours do you work?

I am contracted to work 43 hours a week of. However, almost all of our courses are longer than that and includes working regular evenings and weekends. So the working pattern can be quite sporadic. Some courses run for 21 days without a break. In these instances I am able to take a healthy chunk of time back in lieu.

What is your working environment like?

The best way to describe it is big, wild and beautiful, as I work predominantly outdoors in the Scottish Highlands. It can be hot (30°C) or cold (-20°C), with weather conditions changing between dry, wet, windy and snowy. In the main it's very bumpy, rocky and often wet and fast flowing. It's the best office in the world.

Who do you work with?

Our participants are from vastly varied backgrounds and often from all parts of the globe. No two groups are the same. My colleagues are similarly diverse, but all share a passion for adventure. Some of them are some of the most inspirational people I have ever met.

What skills or qualities do you need?

As a bare minimum you have to be passionate about adventure, about people and their development. Then it is helpful to throw in an educational qualification such as a PGCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) and a range of technical coaching qualifications like rock climbing, canoeing or mountain leading awards. These allow you to introduce and use different activities with your groups.

Why did you choose this type of work?

Mountain adventures played a massive part in my education and development. Essentially, I want to provide opportunities for more young people to enjoy the same things I did. Outward Bound courses can change peoples' lives. That's a pretty meaningful thing to be involved with.

What training have you done?

I have a postgraduate diploma in outdoor education, a first aid certificate and a variety of technical qualifications, each of which involves a training course, consolidation period and assessment course. This is a job where continued professional development (CPD) is essential to improve the range of adventures you can have with your students. I now hold the Mountaineering Instructor Award, which follows the Mountain Leader and Single Pitch Awards. I took this as part of my CPD.

Do you use any special tools or equipment?

Everything from pencils to powerboats, karabiners and kayaks.

What do you like/dislike about your job?

No two days are the same. I love the variety of my job. People are constantly surprising and challenging, as is the environment in which we work. It is also incredibly rewarding to have been at the helm of the most enjoyable or important week of someone's life. It's no 9 to 5 job though. It requires huge motivation and commitment and sometimes it can be extremely intense and demanding.

What are the main challenges?

My biggest challenge at work is dealing with unmotivated or apathetic students. Thankfully they are few and far between. Most want to get stuck in and it's easy to work with anyone who has energy to give to the course.

How do you see your future?

Continually challenging and hopefully very rocky. I hope that outdoor education becomes increasingly main-stream and that my current role becomes valued, on a par with a school teacher. The Outward Bound Trust is very supportive of further training, so I imagine my skill set will continue to expand, which could lead to a variety of directions in the future.

Matt's route

• GCSEs.
• A levels and one AS level.
• BTEC Diploma in art & design and degree in fine art.
• Lifelong interest in adventures and mountains, spending a short time working at an Essex outdoor centre.
• Gap year in Australia, including three months voluntary work at an activity centre in New South Wales.
• Developed a healthy obsession with rock climbing.
• Postgraduate Diploma in outdoor education, Edinburgh University.
• A core base of technical qualification, including a Mountain Leader Training England (MLTE) Mountain Leader Award, Single Pitch Award in Rock Climbing and British Canoe Union (BCU) level 2 Canoe/Kayak Coach Award.
• Mountain Instructor Award
• Joined The Outward Bound Trust as an instructor

Matt's tips

• Live an active, healthy, dynamic and jam-packed life.
• Get a balanced CV. Technical skills are no use without development skills.
• Have lots of adventures. Work hard, play harder and continue your personal and professional development, adding further technical qualifications to broaden your experience.

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