Outfit Moray’s Trainee Scholarships

Outfit Moray actively develops the potential of young people in Moray, particularly those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, through our comprehensive programme of outdoor learning and adventure opportunities and, as a result, we are able to do the same with our trainees, whilst they work alongside our team of highly skilled and experienced instructors to deliver our activities to local schools, youth charities, organisations and families in Moray.

We are the only charity of our type in Moray but, despite our size, we have a strong track record of supporting young people into employment across the UK since 2017, with some trainees even going on to travel internationally or purchase their first home at a relatively young age.

By their very nature, adventurous activities help improve physical and mental health, as well as building self-esteem and resilience through positive risk taking, meaning our scholarships empower trainees with the confidence to show themselves, and the rest of the world, just what they are capable of.

Each scholarship provides a unique, life-changing opportunity for the trainee to learn new skills and gain qualifications relevant to the outdoor industry, with the aim of giving them the confidence to pursue a career in whichever industry suits their personal goals and aspirations.

After a year of working, upskilling and training, alongside our daily activities, we actively encourage our trainees to move on to a job that suits their personal goals, and support them through the whole process, from job hunting, filling in applications, CV preparation and interview techniques.

The aim of an Outfit Moray trainee scholarship is to support young people into employment, whether that’s in the outdoor industry or elsewhere, in fact our trainees have gone on to become posties, distillery workers and engineers.

Trainees will spend up to a year with us, working alongside our instructors on activities such as rock climbing, rafting, Tyrolean, crate climbing, archery, kayaking, paddleboarding, indoor climbing, canoeing, gorge walking, coasteering, weaselling, mountain biking, bushcraft and hill walking, as well as delivering Cycling Scotland’s Bikeability scheme.

During this time, they are given the opportunity to work towards a variety of qualifications during targeted training sessions, where our Lead Instructor will support them through the processes of personal skill development, training, consolidation and their assessments, to help ensure they gain as many NGB awards as possible.

By funding a trainee scholarship, our funders have a direct opportunity to have a positive impact on a young person’s future, with the potential of setting them up as employable and productive members of their community.

Each scholarship is incredibly personal to every individual, and we actively encourage sponsors to engage with their trainee, including (but not limited to) on site visits during the scholarship period, as well as awarding their trainee with a ‘Certificate of Scholarship’ at our AGM in November. Trainees will be prompted to maintain regular contact with their sponsors, and updates will also be shared on our social media, highlighting the difference each scholarship is making.