NOCN Level 2 Award in Introductory Work in the Outdoors (QCF)
Qualification summary
The NOCN Level 2 Award in Introductory Work in the Outdoors aims to provide an induction into working in an outdoor centre, together with more specific training, for young people and adults aged 16 years and over entering employment in this area. This qualification has been developed following consultation with SkillsActive, the British Activity Holiday Association and other employers in the outdoor activity field.
This qualification comprises mandatory and optional units, which in combination provide a flexible framework for training based upon the learners’ own employment roles within an outdoor centre. It will enable learners to gain general introductory knowledge about working in an outdoor centre, plus training for different employment roles within a centre, for example, organising outdoor and other activities, customer care, health and safety, hospitality and pastoral care. It provides links with wider transferable, generic employability and Functional Skills. It offers opportunities for progression to further training, study or employment within the outdoor activity or related industries.
The units in this qualification, which are specific to the outdoor education industry, are mapped at unit level to the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for Activity Leadership at Level 2, developed by SkillsActive.
Qualification details
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF
Section 96 website.
For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS
Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the
DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the
DELNI and
DENI websites.
The NOCN Level 2 Award in Introductory Work in the Outdoors enables progression directly to employment and further learning opportunities within employment in a range of occupational areas, for example, the leisure industry, sport and recreation, health and fitness, the outdoors, playwork and caravan industries. The qualification relates academically to NVQ Level 2 and to GCSE grades A*-C (for example, vocational GCSE Leisure and Tourism). Learners will also be able to progress to other Level 2 or Level 3 qualification provision as appropriate within the same or related occupational areas, such as Active Leisure and Learning, or Sport, Recreation and Allied Occupations, for example:
• NVQ Level 2 Activity Leadership
• NVQ Level 2 Coaching, Teaching and Instruction
• NVQ Level 2 Operational Services
• NVQ Level 2 Instructing Exercise and Fitness
• NVQ Level 3 Outdoor Programmes: (Outdoor Education) / (Outdoor Development Training) / (Outdoor Recreation)
• NVQ Level 3 Leisure Management
• NVQ Level 3 Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise.
Progression routes could also include study for general qualifications such as Applied GCE AS/A Level Leisure Studies.
Leisure Centre Assistant
Outdoor Activities Instructor
C. Prepare for employment
C1. Prepare for employment in a broad occupational area
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08 Leisure, Travel and Tourism
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08.1
Sport, Leisure and Recreation
Oral Examination
Portfolio of Evidence
Practical Demonstration / Assignment
Practical Examination
Assessment of the following units requires learners to be working within the outdoor education or activity industry mainly, but not exclusively, within an outdoor education or activity centre:
• General Induction for Outdoor Centre Staff (J/600/3821)
• Essentials of Customer Care for Outdoor Centre Staff (D/600/3825)
• Responding to Health Emergencies for Outdoor Centre Staff (K/600/3827)
Assessment of the following units requires learners to be working within an outdoor education or activity centre:
• Organising Participants at an Outdoor Centre (Y/600/3824)
• Organising an Activity Session at an Outdoor Centre (H/600/3826)
• Working in Hospitality and Support at an Outdoor Centre (T/600/3829)
To successfully achieve the qualification, learners must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Learners must successfully complete the mandatory unit from Group A and one of the two units from Group B, plus one of the three optional units from Group C.
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QS -
Qualification Structure
The qualification structure - To successfully achieve the qualification, learners must complete a minimum of 9 credits. Learners must complete the mandatory unit from Group A and one of the two units from Group B, plus one of the three optional units from Group C.
Credit Value required: Minimum 9, Maximum 10.
Sub-components required: Minimum 3.
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A -
Mandatory Unit
Learners must complete this unit to achieve the qualification.
Credit Value required: Minimum 3, Maximum 3.
Sub-components required: Minimum 1, Maximum 1.
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J/600/3821 - General induction for outdoor centre staff
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B -
Optional Units
Learners must complete either of the two units to achieve the qualification.
Credit Value required: Minimum 1, Maximum 2.
Sub-components required: Minimum 1.
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D/600/3825 - Essentials of customer care for outdoor centre staff
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K/600/3827 - Responding to health emergencies for outdoor centre staff
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C -
Optional Units
Learners must complete one of the three optional units to achieve the qualification.
Credit Value required: Minimum 5.
Sub-components required: Minimum 1.
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Y/600/3824 - Organising participants at an outdoor centre
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H/600/3826 - Organising an activity session at an outdoor centre
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T/600/3829 - Working in hospitality and support at an outdoor centre