Parliamentary Briefing Paper - Defunding the Level 5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship

Potential Impact of Defunding the Level 5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship

The proposed defunding of the Level 5 Outdoor Learning Specialist Apprenticeship from 1st September 2026 risks causing disproportionate harm to a small but socially valuable sector at the point when the standard is beginning to gain traction with employers. The standard prepares practitioners to design and deliver outdoor learning programmes that support educational achievement; it also aligns with professional recognition through the Institute for Outdoor Learning.