About Learn the Ropes

Providing bespoke essential training for professionals at Outdoor Activity Centres, and leaders in the outdoors.

Why we are here...

Learn the Ropes was established to meet an unfulfilled need for tailored training for professionals in the outdoors. In particular for those who are early in their journey in the industry. 

Our aim is to provide essential introductory safety training designed specifically for instructors working in outdoor education and adventure. Our online courses cover core compliance areas including PPE Inspections, COSHH awareness, fire safety and manual handling - subjects which we know form the core basic knowledge required to start out at an outdoor centre. However, our goal is to tailor these to the context of the outdoors, an improvement on the generic courses available elsewhere. 

We know that training new staff takes up valuable management time, and so our aim is to offer cost-effective, engaging online training which instructors can engage with at their own pace either at their desks or via a smart phone/tablet. This removes the need for senior staff to deliver repeated training sessions across the year as new staff join a team. Furthermore, our courses provide certification following completion and proof of understanding of the content, checked via quizzes and exams through the course.

By providing easy-to-access training, we aim to help the outdoor industry build teams of staff with a good working knowledge of safety and risk management. Ultimately this will help organisations safeguard their people, their customers, and their reputation.

Our Team

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Steve and James were inspired to set up Learn the Ropes after working as Centre Managers and getting frustrated that they couldn't find online courses which met the compliance needs of their centre whilst being relevant to the outdoor industry. 

They've also drawn on experience from a number of other trusted advisors and experts from across the sector to build Learn the Ropes' range of courses. You can learn a bit more about them below.

James

Director
hello@learntheropes.co.uk
James has over 15 years experience working in the outdoors, including over 10 years as an Activity Centre Manager.
With experience ranging from instructing on site, D of E assessing, and leading groups of young people on the hill, to managing centre facilities, statutory compliance and HR in a range of settings.

Steve

Director
hello@learntheropes.co.uk
Steve has worked all over the world constructing and maintaining High Ropes Courses, Climbing Walls and Adventure Courses. He is a PPE Competent Person, Wire Ropes Inspector, and Pole Inspector.
Steve also has nearly two decades' experience as a senior manager in Activity Centres.

Mark Garland

Advisor & Contributor
www.garlandmountaineering.co.uk 
Mark has been working in the outdoor industry for over 25 years and is is an experienced Mountaineering Instructor, International Mountain Leader, BCU Coach and Technical Advisor to Climbing Walls and Activity Centres. 
He has also held numerous roles on committees with the AMI, BMC, Mountain Training and Institute for Outdoor Learning.

Matt Prince

Advisor & Contributor
www.ropescourse.co.uk
Matt is a Mountaineering Instructor, Technical Advisor, ERCA Trainer and Ropes Course Inspector, as well as having over a decade of experience as an instructor and in centre management. Matt also shares our passion for getting quality, relevant safety information out to early career instructors - check out his YouTube channel for some top quality content. 

Why Choose us?

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Engaging Content

Our courses feature a mix of written text, videos and audio content, along with interactive content. We therefore aim to cater for a broad range of learning styles.

Built with Experience

Our team have extensive experience in managing outdoor education centres, training staff, and delivering outdoor activities.

Cost-effective

Our goal is to deliver our courses at an affordable rate, because we know budgets are tight. Speak to us about bulk deals and subscriptions. 

Save Time

Remove the need for senior staff to deliver repeated courses by allowing learners to study at their own pace and on their own device.

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