The Galloway Activity Centre work placement packages are about developing your skills, confidence and ability.  Filling in the gaps that College doesn't cover, giving you real life experience and training you up to Instructor level, in 2 outdoor disciplines.

Many HNC and HND college courses provide a great introduction to becoming an outdoor instructor.  What many don't do is actually qualify you to teach and give you real on the job experience.

Having first piloted this new scheme in 2009 with outstanding success we are looking for 4 more candidates for our 2011 programme.  Enquire now>

You will never look back, the amount of knowledge, experience and confidence you will gain will put you light years ahead of your peers.  Imagine leading a group of 30 school kids in an outdoor activity day, or how about take your own windsurfing group, or even work alongside our experience Instructors teaching advanced sailing.  We aim to get you there!

 

What Is Included?
Our work placement scheme is not about making tea and rigging boats.  We offer a training package that will train you from a basic sailor or paddler, to a fully qualified National Governing Body Instructor.  The training doesn't come free, but through an work placement scheme we make it affordable and the course will improve your CV, vastly.

Learning Outcomes
There are 3 main disciplines that you may decide to become qualified in.  We will work with you to decide what package best suits your current skill levels.  You will choose 2 out of the following 3:

 -  RYA Dinghy Instructor
 -  RYA Windsurfing Instructor
 -  BCU level 1 Paddle-sport coach

2011 dates
The two possible start dates for the 2011 season are as follows;

option1: 4th April Start date
Gain Paddlesport Lev 1 coach and either RYA Dinghy or RYA Windsurfing Instructor qualifications.

option2: 2nd May Start date
Gain either RYA Dinghy or RYA Windsurfing Instructor qualifications.

How Can I Afford This?
We fully understand that most candidates will be coming to us as students.  Our work placement package is designed to offset the cost of the training with what you earn at the Centre after becoming qualified - in effect we give you a loan to cover the costs of your instructor courses.  The training runs from April - June by which point you are ready to instruct your own groups over the summer season.

All your living costs and food are included in the deal.  You will receive a living allowance for the duration of your stay at the centre.  There are no big payments to fork out and no hidden costs.  Just turn up with an open mind, ready to enjoy and learn from the experience.

Contact Kieran on 01644 420626 to apply or Enquire now>

Or download our application pack

	2010 Student Placement Application Form
	P38 Student Tax Form

 

What do our 2009 placements say?

Jazmine Lightfoot; Age 18 South Devon College
Quote to remember - "Oow aarr a like cider, it wer fab.  Hey Hey!"

I chose to go to GAC for my work placement as it offered a great range of activities that would allow me to gain a wide range of experience taking different types of groups.  The centre is also far from home which would be a new experience and challange for me.

During the course it was great to mix with all the different Instructors.  It showed me that there are many different coaching methods which i could learn from.  The experienced instructors also gave me lots of help and tips during my training.  Ooo and the Partys were fab!

Now that im back at College i have loads more confidence in what i'm doing.  If anything it all now seems a little slow and boring, can't wait to come back! 

 

Aainsley Vernals-Shaw; Age 18 South Devon College
Quote to remember - "Where be blackbird ther it be, oow arr.  Iz got a combineharvester"

I chose to go to GAC because it had loads of different activities on offer, and also a wide range of equipment.

During my season at GAC i experienced so much, developing my confidence and practical sailing abilities.  When i first arrived at GAC i was so nervous to even walk down the corridor, but with in a week i was loving it, it was such a good opertunity.  I made loads of new friends which i am still in touch with now, and learnt loads of new skills which i use at College.

Going all the way up to Scotland from devon helped me in so many ways, i learnt to grow up and do my own washing :), and i also gained so many qualifications which will be with me for ever now.  Since i have been back in devon i have realised that everything i did over the summer has had such a big effect on me and at college.

 

Nickoli Yost; Age 23 James Watt College Largs
Quote to remember - "It was a walk in the park!"

I was interested in finding a centre that would provide me with some practical experience to go alongside the theory i had learned at college.  To find out that i would also become a qualified instuctor was a bonus!

The whole season was great.  The best part for me was the amount of knowledge i picked up.  The parties were pretty good too!

The course has helped massivley now that i'm back at College.  I have a greater understanding of what i'm being taught and i feel more confident in my practical abilities.  I have even used my Dinghy Instructor Award to help teach elements of the sailing modules to my College mates.

Sinse summer i have also been back down to GAC to develop my skills by completing my Advanced Sailing Instructor Award.

 

Andrew Rankin; Age 18 James Watt College Largs
Quote to remember - "My highlight was getting recued by the RNLI"

I was recomended the placement through Nickoli and decided to take it on because i wanted to put my summer to good use and gain as much experience and qualifications as possible.

It felt great to become qualified as a Windsurfing Instructor and gain real teaching experience, but the highlight of the course for me were the people i met, and good times i had throughout the summer.

Now that i'm back at College i have found that the experience in taking a range of customers and knowlege that goes with my new qualificiations have given me a huge confidence boost.  Nothing that my College course throws at me phases me now.