Phil Thompson

Phil Thompson, programme manager at Ardroy Outdoor Education Centre in Argyll speaks about his role and offers advice on how to begin a career in the outdoors.

I studied geography at university and by the time I was 22 had gained national governing body awards, which I used to become an instructor. These included rock climbing, canoeing and hill walking.

My first outdoor job was with The Outward Bound Trust and I worked there for three years. I then completed a PGCE in outdoor education. I initially started working at Ardroy as an instructor working full time with groups and also teaching trainee staff towards national governing body awards.

I’m essentially responsible for the smooth running of the centre and the programmes it provides. We deliver personal and social development courses largely to primary school children from Fife Council, who part-fund our centre. My job involves managing the instructional team, planning the programmes and liaising with schools. Good instruction is all about having the right group, instructor, weather and equipment, all at the right time. I try to achieve this in my programming! My job is largely administrative and managerial so it’s mostly 9-5 but weekend and evening work are part of the job, especially for instructors who are with groups all the time. 

A typical week would combine me sitting at my desk and being outside ensuring the programme is running smoothly. There’s a fair bit of customer contact and liaising between departments. The booking department would come to me wanting to book in a school and I’d say yes or no depending on the group numbers and staff. Then I’d begin planning what they can do based around their desired learning outcomes. I’m also responsible for safe delivery of the activities, so I try to regularly drop in on groups and instructors, often un-announced, and reassure myself that what should be happening is happening. I’ve recently been out coaching our trainee instructors towards the national governing body award (in climbing), which is far more enjoyable than staring at a computer screen!

You need a broad range of skills to do a job similar to mine. You need to be a sociable person who enjoys working with people, you need to be good at IT and planning, and most of all you need to have the ability to think on your feet. It’s a dynamic job and you have to be able to adapt to changing circumstances and conditions.

I enjoy the management side of it and feel a great sense of satisfaction when the centre is running smoothly and safely. I love the diversity of people who work in the industry, there’s no one typical career path. I have worked with people who have previously designed underwear for Marks and Spencer, through to IT specialists and ex soldiers. If you’re looking to enter a career in the outdoors I’d say any kind of previous work experience is valuable. Three qualifications are essential – the SPA (single pitch award) in rock climbing, the mountain leader award and level 2 in kayak or canoe.

It’s not all sunglasses and glamour, it’s physically hard work and it rains a lot! You have to be prepared to work in what are often difficult conditions, but I enjoy the unpredictability of the job and the opportunity to inspire people through the medium of the outdoors. 

     

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