Recognition as a professional in outdoor learning values your experience and will further demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and continued professional development.
To recognise skills, knowledge and experience in any area of outdoor learning
Professional recognition benchmarks a level of education, responsibility and experience working in any area of outdoor learning.
Professional
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Do you have responsibility for shaping effective outdoor learning in any setting by exercising autonomy and judgement within medium / long term parameters?
- Do you have five or more years of outdoor learning work experience?
- Statements of support confirm your experience as an outdoor learning specialist, manager, advisor, workforce teacher trainer, or researcher.
- Do you have relevant learning at first degree level or equivalent?
- Regulated qualification at RQF/CQFW Level 5 / SQCF Level 8 or higher. e.g. Relevant Degree, Masters, Diploma in Management, QTS, QTLS, etc.
- An equivalent experience process is available for those without a relevant degree.
Professional Recognition Process
Attaining professional recognition will further demonstrate your commitment to professional practice and your own continued professional development.
Submissions will be reviewed by an application review team against the published requirements. Depending on your eligibility, you may need to:
- Provide details of your outdoor learning work experience (template provided)
- Provide statements of support that confirm your experience (template provided for signature by peer or senior manager)
- Provide copies of certificates of relevant qualifications at the required level
- Provide evidence of an equivalent, existing professional membership at the level
- If required, additional information will be requested from applicants before a decision is reached
Professional Recognition
Recognition as a professional in outdoor learning values your experience and will further demonstrate your commitment to professionalism and continued professional development.
- Benchmark your knowledge, skills and education at a level matched to other professions
- Demonstrate your level of experience to customers and employers, and the value you bring
- Help improve the strength of our representation and voice inside and outside the sector
- Combined with IOL Membership to automatically become a Fellow of the Institute for Outdoor Learning
Professional Recognition Application Routes
Self-declaration of suitable experience on application form
Suitable qualifications:
All qualifications and awards that are directly relevant to your work in outdoor learning and are at RQF/CQFW Level 5 / SQCF Level 8 or higher may be suitable. For example:
- First or Higher Degrees in Outdoor Adventure Leadership, Outdoor Adventure Education, Geography, Environmental Science, Management etc.
- Level 5 Certificate / Diploma in Management and Leadership, Level 5 Certificate / Diploma in Effective Coaching and Mentoring
- Post Graduate Certificate in Education, Level 5 Diploma in Education and Training, etc.
- Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), Qualified Teacher Learning and Skills (QTLS)
Suitable qualifications should include a period of learning (total qualification time) sufficient to gain the breadth and depth of knowledge, thinking and understanding required to support professional competence in outdoor learning.
Statement of equivalent learning:
Equivalent learning can be recognised for those NOT holding a suitable qualification as above.
A Statement of Equivalent Learning should demonstrate relevant knowledge, thinking and understanding at least equivalent to RQF/CQFW Level 5 or SQCF at Level 8. It is in two parts:
- Professional Development Record (signed by a supporter)
- Personal Statement showing that you clearly meet the professional recognition experience requirements
Suitable experience
Professionals in outdoor learning have a total of at least five years' experience in outdoor learning including at least two years in a position of responsibility for:
- Shaping effective outdoor learning by exercising autonomy and judgement within broad parameters
- Building programmes of learning using outdoor experiences by drawing on relevant research
- Thinking and operating medium / long term and planning and developing courses of action
- Initiating and leading complex tasks and processes and positively influencing the work of colleagues
- Delivering value to customers and the profession and role modelling professional practice
Experience may be full time, part role or volunteer in any area of outdoor learning, as either a practitioner or academic, and include the responsibilities of one or more of:
Apply for Professional Recognition
Professional Recognition recognises a certain level of education, training and relevant work experience in outdoor learning. It complements each individuals’ specialisms, e.g. teaching qualifications, instruction/coaching awards, IOL Accreditation, association memberships, etc.
To apply for Professional Recognition you need to be a current member of the Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL) and pay the current fee.