With employment opportunities for outdoor adventure guides expected to increase by 28% over the next five yearsi, there is no better time for adventure enthusiasts to consider a rewarding career exploring the great outdoors.

Former TAFE NSW Lithgow student, Simon Colagiuri, is taking advantage of opportunities in the industry after turning his love for exploring the outdoors into a thrilling career path. After studying a Certificate III and IV in Outdoor Recreation, he is now working as a group leader at Somerset Outdoor Learning based at the Colo River near Richmond.

Simon said, “I really enjoyed studying and learning from the teachers at TAFE NSW, they have so much experience having worked in the industry.

“I learnt about how to manage people and group dynamics as well as teaching hands-on activities such as canoeing, bushwalking and challenge high ropes.

“In my role at Somerset Outdoor Learning, I take school groups on three or four day camps and Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions ranging from 1-6 days, which involves facilitating activities and supervising their experiences in the outdoors.”

From January 2020, TAFE NSW Lithgow students will have the opportunity to complete a traineeship with Somerset Outdoor Learning.

Somerset Outdoor Learning Traineeship Coordinator, Luke Crichton, said it was exciting to be working with TAFE NSW to offer students the chance to put their learning into action in the industry.

“The successful trainees will be able to assist with the activities on school camps and build up their confidence to be able to manage camps.

“Simon is one of the many TAFE NSW Lithgow graduates who have gained employment at Somerset Outdoor Learning and it made sense for us to offer other students the opportunity to work with us as we know they will be equipped with practical skills and work experience before they even commence.

“Simon has a natural ability to develop a rapport with school students, he is also proactive and energetic. We can’t wait to employ more students who share the same passion.”

TAFE NSW Lithgow partners with a number of other leading outdoor education providers such as Outward Bound Australia, The Outdoor Education Group, Southbound Adventures and Boomerang Adventures to provide traineeships to students.

To find out more about studying outdoor recreation at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515

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i National Industry Insights. 2019. https://nationalindustryinsights.aisc.net.au/industries/sport-fitness-and-recreation/outdoor-recreation