Bushcraft/survival training jobs
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SimonM
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Hear, hear! As a teacher I am sick of this phrase! I gave up a job in industry (industrial electrician) to re train at enormous personal risk.
I feel that a history of "instructing" others in the outdoors (Scouts / TA / ACF), plus my working experiences has given me the skill set needed to teach. But even in schools we come across teachers who can not effectively do their job. This is no different to any other line of employment - so why does everybody pick on teachers?
Sorry rant over - back on task!
If,as you say, you already have the skills needed for Bushcraft why not start passing them on as a volunteer - contact your local Scout group and ask if they need any new leaders. When they stand up again and have recovered from the faint assure them that you mean it!If you are in East Lancs (Clitheroe I think you mentioned in another thread?) you could even volunteer at the local Scout campsite (PM me if you want details - I do not want to put details in an open forum).
Simon
one way into getting an instructors job would be to hire yourself out as a freelance specialist in something. Though I teach most of my courses myself there are times when it is more appropriate to get an expert in to do it for me. Likewise I have been hired in by other bushcraft schools to do forgework and knife related courses for them.
sounds positive thanks budd,if u ever need an extra pair of hands give me a shout maybe not blacksmithin though i dont know much about it
My personal experience,
I made the decision a few years ago that becoming a Bushcraft Instructor is what I want to do with my life. Since then I have spend time developing my skills beyond those I was taught, gaining teaching experience through my day job and other means and learning from anyone I can along the way.
Currently I am working with various bushcraft and outdoor education companies in addition to my full time day job by working my days off (currently I am in the middle of a 38 day stretch without a break) with very respected instructors and should I still be doing this in a few years time, then I am happy to still be learning my craft. Not until those who have taught me belive that I am ready to teach will I put myself forward as a Bushcraft Instructor
I would prefer to be a good instructor in 5 years time, than a poor one in 5 months.
I made the decision a few years ago that becoming a Bushcraft Instructor is what I want to do with my life. Since then I have spend time developing my skills beyond those I was taught, gaining teaching experience through my day job and other means and learning from anyone I can along the way.
Currently I am working with various bushcraft and outdoor education companies in addition to my full time day job by working my days off (currently I am in the middle of a 38 day stretch without a break) with very respected instructors and should I still be doing this in a few years time, then I am happy to still be learning my craft. Not until those who have taught me belive that I am ready to teach will I put myself forward as a Bushcraft Instructor
I would prefer to be a good instructor in 5 years time, than a poor one in 5 months.
just checked out your website budd i fancy doing some of your courses.ill have to wait till ive got the funds though .i like the forks id like to have a real long one for toast and crumpets
Another factor to consider is this: would you be happy spending your working hours teaching something about which you are passionate? It seem a strange thing to ask because, obviously, most people who frequent this website are passionate about bushcraft but - and it's a big 'but' - working in that profession, with all the paperwork and other unromantic aspects of working life, can taint the pleasure of the wonderful freedom we all enjoy when we go out on our own account to live it up in the woods. Responsibility for others, providing a full and well-delivered bushcraft curriculum, preparing ahead for the coming days' activities all add up and can make the burden on you quite trying. The desire to share one's knowledge with others is more than highly commendable but you have to take off the rose tinted specs and try to view the whole process coldly and objectively.
The two qualities which strike me as essential in bushcraft are experience and keeping an open mind. On a more mundane, but no less important, note, a really good wilderness first aid course qualification - kept up to date - will be essential.
I am thinking along similar lines as you. I am a qualified teacher and am trying to clock as much extracurricular time practising my skills and - yes - going on a course or two to pick up new ideas and different ways of doing things. But I still haven't sorted out in my own head whether or not I should take the plunge and do it. A good few years ago, I had a similar choice with mountaineering. I got qualified and then hummed and haa'ed about whether to make it my livelihood. I picked up the English books instead and never regretted the decision (I'm still holding them!). But bushcraft does seem to present an ultimately satisfying way forward.
I've rambled on enough. I'll shut up and go and do some marking. Think carefully and good luck!
The two qualities which strike me as essential in bushcraft are experience and keeping an open mind. On a more mundane, but no less important, note, a really good wilderness first aid course qualification - kept up to date - will be essential.
I am thinking along similar lines as you. I am a qualified teacher and am trying to clock as much extracurricular time practising my skills and - yes - going on a course or two to pick up new ideas and different ways of doing things. But I still haven't sorted out in my own head whether or not I should take the plunge and do it. A good few years ago, I had a similar choice with mountaineering. I got qualified and then hummed and haa'ed about whether to make it my livelihood. I picked up the English books instead and never regretted the decision (I'm still holding them!). But bushcraft does seem to present an ultimately satisfying way forward.
I've rambled on enough. I'll shut up and go and do some marking. Think carefully and good luck!
thats why id rather work for some1 else, let them do the paper work.at the minute im just enquiring as i would rather work doing something i like
Also bear in mind that you will be employed by a Bushcraft School for a maximum of about 6 months per year and that would be for a really busy school, and not always on a continuous basis, so you need another source of work that is flexible to enable you to earn in between periods of teaching or when the season is over.
I think quite a few schools have recruited from the ranks as it were, students that have performed well on courses ( skills and attitudes) invited back to assist on following courses and have taken it on from there.
The problem with qualifications in 'bushcraft' is that the subject is so vast that no one person could cover the whole array of skills, and who is to say my method of shelter building is better or worse than yours, just because the cirriculum version differs from mine.
I wish you well in your search.
I think quite a few schools have recruited from the ranks as it were, students that have performed well on courses ( skills and attitudes) invited back to assist on following courses and have taken it on from there.
The problem with qualifications in 'bushcraft' is that the subject is so vast that no one person could cover the whole array of skills, and who is to say my method of shelter building is better or worse than yours, just because the cirriculum version differs from mine.
I wish you well in your search.
Jup, I think Pablo is right.
I also think most people forget that if you desire something that you have to start small and build it up graduately. That way you'll have a solid base wich will provide satisfaction in the things you have achieved in the long run.
Most people these days want instant satisfaction wich means that it will be a short term, superficial feeling of satisfaction rather than a feeling of pride and acheevement.
I think it's very important that you start to discover what it is that atracts you to this profession so that you can take it and mold it to something of your own. Is it the teacher student part? the guiding of groups, the being able to show your skills or pass them down, gaining skills? working outside? contributing something to.. whatever? And do you have an idea when you want to have achieved what? you cannot BE an instructor tomorrow if you get a job today. I think it takes time to grow into that. and all this costs you. it costs time, money and hard work.
I also think most people forget that if you desire something that you have to start small and build it up graduately. That way you'll have a solid base wich will provide satisfaction in the things you have achieved in the long run.
Most people these days want instant satisfaction wich means that it will be a short term, superficial feeling of satisfaction rather than a feeling of pride and acheevement.
I think it's very important that you start to discover what it is that atracts you to this profession so that you can take it and mold it to something of your own. Is it the teacher student part? the guiding of groups, the being able to show your skills or pass them down, gaining skills? working outside? contributing something to.. whatever? And do you have an idea when you want to have achieved what? you cannot BE an instructor tomorrow if you get a job today. I think it takes time to grow into that. and all this costs you. it costs time, money and hard work.
What an interesting read this thread is turning out to be. I (day dream) about being an instructor as well, but as people have said before; to teach a subject, first you need to know it inside out. I'm sure you had teachers at school who didn't understand parts of the curriculum 100%.
With this in mind I'm doing as much learning as possible now, so that I have one of the main requirements part sorted from the start. Then I'll worry about the teaching element, then the formal quals (first aid, mountain leader, etc) afterwards. I think I've a head start there as I'm dyslexic.
Anyway, I'll continue to read this thread and continue to learn.
H2O - if you're passionate about doing this and believe in yourself, you will make it happen.
Chris
With this in mind I'm doing as much learning as possible now, so that I have one of the main requirements part sorted from the start. Then I'll worry about the teaching element, then the formal quals (first aid, mountain leader, etc) afterwards. I think I've a head start there as I'm dyslexic.
Anyway, I'll continue to read this thread and continue to learn.
H2O - if you're passionate about doing this and believe in yourself, you will make it happen.
Chris
Great words of wisdom from all over the place. I certainly subscribe to the idea of being a good instructor in five years rather than a poor one in five months.
This is a great thread.
This is a great thread.
I did a stint of instruction in the Army. I taught the operation and theory of the Combat Engineer Tractor, and how to maintain it in barracks and in the field. I have changed over 6 engines, these are big C6TFR Rolls Royce diesel engines that require a big crane and a lot of nerve to remove, as they have less then an inch of clearance on the way out! I have also removed the gearbox, a nightmare job but I have done three or four! I've changed Fuel Injection Pumps, injectors, fixed BCF fire extinguishers, the odd bulb or two! I've done all sorts on them, and though many CET Operators hated them with a passion, I loved the challenge of working on them. I also loved to teach other people, whether they wanted to learn or not, about the finer details in how they tick. I diagnosed hydraulic faults in the gearboxes that nobody knew about and a vehicle that had been off the road for months was working in ten minutes! Others learnt from my experience.
When it came to the actual course though, I hated instructing parts of the course. Some of it was so boring, not required, out of date or whatever, but the syllabus had to be adhered to. There were better ways of doing things, but the syllabus ruled. I could have sat in the guts of that vehicle everyday, if people had left me be and taught people how to really operate it, but that was not to be.
After four weeks of instructing, I was glad to finish the course off, the first week and a bit was all classroom and very tedious, but the driving instruction and digging operations were great fun, if not sometimes a little scary!
When it came to the actual course though, I hated instructing parts of the course. Some of it was so boring, not required, out of date or whatever, but the syllabus had to be adhered to. There were better ways of doing things, but the syllabus ruled. I could have sat in the guts of that vehicle everyday, if people had left me be and taught people how to really operate it, but that was not to be.
After four weeks of instructing, I was glad to finish the course off, the first week and a bit was all classroom and very tedious, but the driving instruction and digging operations were great fun, if not sometimes a little scary!
So it should be! It is constructive advice towards gaining employment in a field that everybody here loves. I hope that maybe a few people can get into it.
Edit: See what you mean! Only 38 views?
Edit: See what you mean! Only 38 views?
It's fascinating, even for me who has no intention of doing any instructing of any kind.
There does appear to be something wrong with the 'thread view' number - I saw a
thread the other day with twice as many responses as views...
There does appear to be something wrong with the 'thread view' number - I saw a
thread the other day with twice as many responses as views...
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