The Quality of an Avon Tyrrell Apprenticeship

Many businesses today see Apprenticeships as an economically driven opportunity to expand their business. 

We at Avon Tyrrell, as part of the National Charity UK Youth, place huge value on Apprenticeships as a way to provide training to assist young people with hands on experience in a sector of interest; helping young people experience, learn and develop.

Learn to work as a team in the outdoor environment.

Our aim is to equip our apprentices not only with work based experience and a formal NVQ, but with high quality awards and qualifications from governing bodies that they can then take away and use in their future career. Suffice to say in our experience not all outdoor centres feel or do the same.

As a youth charity, we want to make a difference to the lives of young people.  All of our apprentices are 18-25 and are either on a Level 2 (Intermediate) or Level 3 (Advanced) Apprenticeship.  As part of our selection process we select apprentices from a variety of backgrounds who, we believe, will benefit most from the opportunity and who have a passion to work in our sector.  Our aim is to increase engagement with education and training, reducing the number of young people who are not in employment, education or training.

Our outdoor apprentices, much like many others, are not always the strongest academically, but have a keen interest to further invest in learning through practical training and hands on experience, so they can work and demonstrate their strengths and ‘earn whilst they learn’.

Take part in discussions.

From our experience the quality of outdoor apprenticeships varies considerably, lacking continuity with the worst on offer simply drawing down the funding and only providing the national minimum apprenticeship wage with no additional benefits.  As a result of this they then get tied into an organisation as they don’t hold nationally recognised qualifications and are only trained in house. Their ‘qualifications’ don’t mean anything elsewhere, making it harder for them to leave and further their careers.

Despite guidelines regarding the qualifications that should be provided as part of an outdoor apprenticeship a number of centres take advantage of this and substitute top quality national qualifications with the cheapest most cost effective option, often not related to the outdoors such as a Food Hygiene Certificate, or specialised qualifications such as powerboat qualifications which are not widely used across all centres.

This then has a detrimental effect on their ability to pursue a career in the outdoor industry because:

•  Once you have done an apprenticeship at a certain level, you cannot do it again leaving them with very limited options.
• They cannot get a seasonal or advanced apprenticeship as they don’t hold the expected level of industry qualifications.
• They can’t re-do their year as it won’t be government funded any more
• Self - Funding qualifications, can be expensive and time consuming

Present work from your portfolio.

Although the cost for us to train our apprentices is more than the income from the government, we believe in investing into the young people and providing them with a solid career path.

  

On top of this we know that we are then delivery a high quality of service to the groups and young people that visit us at Avon Tyrrell.

So, what do they do…?

NVQ 2’s are typically in their first year in the industry with little to no experience and their 12 months with us is spent attending NGB (National Governing Body) Courses, in house training, developing their college portfolio and shadowing sessions until they are ready for sign offs, to then lead and deliver sessions alone to a high standard.

The foundation skills developed in year one enables the intermediate apprentices to only work with certain youth groups, primary school visits, friends and family groups and children visiting on fundays/parties. In and around sessions, the apprentices are working around site doing safety checks, repairs and upgrades to equipment and assisting maintenance where needed. We also put our apprentices into PODS’ with senior instructors so that we can offer additional support, training and mentoring where needed.

  

Lead on outdoor sessions providing learning outcomes.

Many of our first year apprentices have the opportunity to stay on and complete an NVQ 3 with further training and development in areas of individual interest and opportunities to work with more demanding groups such as Princes Trust and NCS. Whilst we are not always able to provide this to everyone, the qualifications gained during their NVQ2 gives them strong opportunities for employment elsewhere.

We are extremely proud to say that the apprentices who have completed their programmes with us, have successfully moved on to some very respectable jobs within the industry, including; Senior instructors, managers and trainers, experts in selling outdoor equipment, establishing their own outdoor businesses, working with challenging young people and being school teachers - the list goes on! The point is that apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to establish a future career path and the quality of the apprenticeship schemes that we provide really holds our employees in high regard within the outdoor industry and demonstrates the work that we do for young people as part of the National Charity UK Youth.

What they get from their apprenticeships with us.

NVQ 2			NVQ 3
NGB Qualifications	In House Qualifications	College Portfolio	NGB Qualifications	In House Training	College Portfolio	Additional Responsibilities
First Aid at Work	Raft Building/Pioneering	Functional skills Level 1 in English and Maths	ERCA Rescue	Abseiling	Functional skills Level 2 in English and Maths	Take on overseeing an activity base
ERCA High and Low Ropes Instructor	Environmental Activities – Night Walks, Bushcraft, Shelter Building	Level 2 award in employment awareness in active leisure and learning	ERCA Zip Wire	Advanced Soft Skills	Level 3 award employment awareness in active leisure and learning	Become positive role models for new staff
BCU 2 Star	Safety Checks	Level 2 NVQ in active leisure learning and wellbeing operational services	Outdoor Leader		Level 3 BTEC in skills and activities for sport and leisure (outdoor education)	Provide assistance with additional training and support for new staff.
BCU Foundation Safety and Rescue	Fundays	Level 2 certificate in leisure operations	*CWA (Climbing Wall Award)		Level 3 NVQ diploma in outdoor programmes- outdoor recreation
BCU UKCC Level 1 Paddle sport Coach	Child Protection and Safeguarding		*BCU 3 Star/s
RLSS National Pool Lifeguard (NPLQ)	Pool Water Testing		* BCU UKCC Level 2 Paddlesport Coach
NICAS Level 1 and 2 Climbing Awards	Adventure Challenge Course		* British Cycling Level 1 (or 2) Mountain Bike Leader
	Inclusion and Disability Awareness		* Bushcraft and Forest Schools Qualifications
	Soft Skills

We also offer additional apprenticeships across the centre as we believe young people should sit at the heart of what we do.

To find out more about a day in the life of an apprentice please watch this short YouTube clip written, directed and acted by one of our learning pods earlier this month.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AegBevxkgeo 

If you have any thoughts on the subject, please feel free to comment.

Thanks

Avon Tyrrell

Young People Engaging with Heritage

To many people, heritage just is what it is, but what does it actually mean? And how can young people today continue to engage with it in new and exciting ways?

In part, heritage is a lot about the sentiment of a place and for many visiting; Avon Tyrrell is still in their thoughts many years on as we have such a large impact on young people's lives.

" I was one of a number of pupils who went to A.T. in 1962. Loved it and will never forget it. Thanks to A.T. I still have an interest in photography, archery and camping and went on to be a Cub Scout leader in New Zealand where I now live, I even still have contact with a friend who was with me at A.T. He now lives in Australia. Just thinking back that 50 years brings a smile to my face."

For the work that we do with young people and the history of the site, it is extremely important that they understand the importance of heritage and what that means for the future of the charity, Avon Tyrrell and the conservation of their local area.

Our apprentices and volunteers that join us from Microsoft, IBM, Natwest and Jaguar Landrover do a fantastic job of ensuring developments and improvements fit in with the natural standards needed to ensure the heritage of Avon Tyrrell remains, and for the apprentices that work here and that join us from these organisations, learning and understanding the importance of the history is how we get them involved. 

Incorporating the history of the site into our activities which are linked to the National Curriculum, means that we are able to provide a high level of service to young people that helps them further understand how important conservation of heritage and the natural environment is. With outdoor learning it provides opportunities for young people to be inspired by their environment and to learn to engage with their surrounding in different ways and with this we have seen children take a new outlook on working outdoors and protecting the environment.

The John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme that we run that focuses on encouraging responsibility and engagement with the natural environment to ensure young people connect, enjoy and care for wild places. With four challenges at the heart of each Award; discover - explore - conserve – share, it stands to provide young people with an opportunity to engage with conservation and walk away not only with the award itself but a better appreciation for how and why we work to maintain the heritage of the site.

There is a lot of history here

Avon Tyrrell is a calendar house, built in 1891 by Lord Manners with his winnings from the Grand National. Designed by the Arts and Crafts architect W.R. Lethaby, requisitioned by the army during the Second World War as an intelligence gathering post and hospital, donated to the UK Youth national charity and opened by the then Princess Elizabeth

As you may or may not be aware heritage is no one thing, but a combination of a lot of different things and for Avon Tyrrell heritage can be defined through the place and the memories that are evoked here as well as 3 crucial areas from the past

The History of the local family

Let’s take you back to 1881…Lord Manners purchased a new horse called Seaman and went on to win the 1882 Grand National. Ridden by the family until his death, he is buried within the grounds at Avon Tyrrell.

Winnings….What would you do if you won £28,000? Not a lot today right? Well back then that money was the equivalent of £2.8million today and Lord Manners built a Calendar House within the grounds at Avon Tyrrell. With 365 windows (days), 7 outer doors (days per week), 52 rooms (weeks), 12 Chimneys (months) and 4 wings (seasons) where Manners lived with his family.

War….The war pursued, the Manners family relocated and Avon Tyrrell opened it’s doors as it was requisitioned as a hospital, rehabilitation centre and mortuary (I know morbid right.) After the war the Manners family donated the estate.

The History of the UK Youth Charity

Avon Tyrrell was donated to the ‘Youth of the Nation’ back in 1946 and is now managed by the national charity UK Youth. It is interesting to note that Avon Tyrrell has been a residential activity centre longer than it ever was a family home and actually piloted many youth work programmes and activities that are now nationally recognised and used across the UK today.

The Natural History of the Place

Being in the New Forest National Park and having a wide range of habitats that we use to run our programmes, Avon Tyrrell is a site of interest for its conservation value. The natural history recognises the importance of English Heritage (with the main house being Grade I listed and the grounds Grade II listed) as there aren't many listed historical homes in the country. This puts Avon Tyrrell in a stronger position to ensure young people understand the importance of conserving it.

It may not be so important to ask why we place 'value' on our heritage or to be able to express sentiment but to recognise that we place a high intrinsic value on our heritage, irrelevant of anything else.

If you are interested in finding out more about the heritage of Avon Tyrrell, we have our ‘Walk Through Time Mystery Trail’ in March. Alternatively, we have packs that you can collect from reception if you wish to find out more about the history of Avon Tyrrell and explore the trails.

Walk Through Time Mystery Trail

Saturday 28th March

Walking over ground shaped by events n living memory is a great way for people from different age groups to connect. Mission based theme trails are a great way to explore historic areas, using clues provided by plaques, monuments and  building along the way to answer questions and solve the Avon Tyrrell mystery.

The trail will take approximately 2 hours so you can arrive between 10:00 and 14:00 to start.

Visit our Online Booking Portal for Events

Getting You and Your Kids More Actively Involved With the Outdoors

With so many things to see and do, now is the time to step outside and seek new experiences outdoors. We understand that money may be tight but there are so many things you and your children can do without spending much money at all. A lot of what all these activities require is an imagination, fresh air and maybe a coat. Walking is a great form of exercise, great for the environment and something you can all do together as a family, and it doesn’t even have to be for long.

10 Benefits to Walking with Your Kids

1.  Its Free, you can be spontaneous and you can do it virtually anywhere
2.  Is great for the well-being of both Children and parents as it keeps you both physically active and healthy in body as well as mind.
3. Visually pleasing as you discover new things and explore new places.
4. It makes children feel calmer and happier in themselves.
5. Promotes independence and freedom as children are not constrained to a set car journey
6. It promotes environmental protection and you can teach your child about the importance of nature.
7. You will teach your children different things about safety, the environment and help them discover and gain new interests.
8. Outdoor learning and environmental power will help kids appreciate their surroundings and protect it.
9.  Gets them outdoors in the fresh air away from technology
10. Children will appreciate spending time outdoors with their parents away from their busy lives.

If you are interested in guided walks within the New Forest, or just fancy a weekend walk, Avon Tyrrell has some great trails that start from the activity centre or check out our calendar of events for you and your family as a great way to spending time together outdoors. 

https://avontyrrell.cinolla.com/avontyrrell/

Our Family Adventure Walks mix outdoor walking on the New Forest Trails with fun challenges and activities to show you and your children how great and interesting the outdoors can be. Activities may include; Animal Tracks, Mammal Trapping, Art in the Environment, Shelter Building, Bushcraft, Navigation and Orienteering.

We have also picked 31 outdoor activities that all children should do before they grow up, so hand over the list to your kids and see how many they have done and how many they can do this year. We guarantee they will have so much fun doing these.

31 Things Kids Can Do to Get Outdoors More

1. Climb a Tree
2. Roll down a big hill
3. Camp in the wild (or the back garden)
4. Skim a stone across a lake, river or the sea
5. Run around in the rain
6. Build a den in the garden.
7. Go on a long bike ride
8. Make a mud pie
9. Create a dam in a stream
10. Make a daisy chain
11. Create some wild art using sticks, leaves and anything else you can find outdoors.
12. Pick flowers or blackberries growing in the wild (check before you eat anything though.)
13. Visit a farm
14. Go walking barefoot and feel the ground beneath your feet
15. Climb a huge hill
16. Explore a cave
17. Go hunting for different bugs and insects
18. Try and catch a falling leaf
19. Try and catch raindrops in your mouth.
20. Track wild animals in the New Forest
21. Make a home for a wild animal
22. Catch a crab
23. Go on a nature walk at night with your parents
24. Plant some seeds and watch as they continue to grow.
25. Go swimming in the sea
26. Build a raft
27. Go bird watching and see how many different species you can see.
28. Find your way to a destination with a map and a compass
29. Cook on a campfire
30. Canoe on a river or in the sea
31. Go horse riding

If you are concerned about your child’s safety when they play outdoor, check out this article by the New Forest National Park Authority to see what they have planned - http://bit.ly/1G70dsT

Remember Experience, Learn and Develop

Avon Tyrrell

Outdoor Adventure Hobbies are a Route to Expanding Horizons.

"A unique place with a very special atmosphere"

With the New Year upon us it is a fresh start for us here at Avon Tyrrell and what better way to start a fresh year than by letting everyone know about outdoor adventure and how you can all get involved.

Outdoor activities are a great hobby for both young people and adults and with opportunities for challenge, discovery and adventure, why would you not want to be a part of it?

Zip Wire Across the Lake

Every year we are sure you make resolutions to try and experience new things and we are also sure that every year this doesn’t last as long as you had hoped. Well make a change this year and do something that you love, now is the time to get out there and get active (It doesn’t all have to be about going to the gym.) The outdoors is a fantastic environment for your well-being and to stay fit in and with so much to do; you won’t have a chance to get bored.

Outdoor Climbing Opportunities

From adrenaline sports like Climbing and Kayaking to Mountain biking, Swimming and Running there are many amazing places and sports that you can do across the UK and beyond and you can start all of this from Avon Tyrrell.

As an outdoor activity centre located in the New Forest National Park we have the facilities and services to get you started. Be it for fitness, a new hobby or just for a fun adventure we can equip you with the drive and determination to achieve something new for yourself. Avon Tyrrell is home to UK Youth, a national charity working for and with young people across the country giving them learning opportunities, new experiences and opportunities to develop skills.

Outdoor adventure hobbies and activities are a route to expanding horizons and greatly contribute to personal growth and showing young people what they can achieve is a large part of how we help.

Archery Courses and Sessions Available

There are so many great opportunities out there for young people and it can all begin on a school residential, a Funday or a short adventure break away with friends or family at Avon Tyrrell. Through adventure breaks, apprenticeships and training and development programmes we here at Avon Tyrrell give young people the opportunity to experience, learn and develop.