Bushcraft qualifications have seen a surge in take-up over the last few years, largely driven by the increasing popularity of bushcraft. Bushcraft is now taught in a wide variety of settings, from outdoor activity centres, campsites, schools & colleges through to youth groups such a Scouts, Cadets and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.
And it makes sense that these organisations, and the people who make use of them, or indeed send their children to them, want to see that the people delivering the training are competent to do so. Bushcraft qualifcations and awards are a simple way to recognise that competence.
Based on the North Downs in Kent, Jack Raven Bushcraft has been delivering bushcraft qualifications accredited by the Institute for Outdoor Learning since 2013 and Gary has been an IOL assessor since 2019.
Institute for Outdoor Learning Bushcraft Qualifications
The IOL offers three awards in bushcraft designed for adults, all of which are Level 3.
Bushcraft Competency Award
Launched in October 2021, the IOL Bushcraft Competency Award has been developed for people working in outdoor centres or schools and delivering short bushcraft skills sessions. The training course itself is two days and to gain the Award, students must attend a separate assessment after a suitable period of consolidation (60 hours).
Units covered on this course :
Unit 1 – Edged tools – knives & saws
Unit 2 – Fire
Unit 4 – Water
Unit 10 – Tarp shelters & knots
Unit 13 – Campfire cooking
The IOL Bushcraft Competency Certificate has existed in it’s current format since 2016. It’s suitable for teachers or instructors to deliver progressive bushcraft learning experiences. The training course is 3 days and students must log 120 quality hours of practice before attending a separate assessment.
Units covered on this course :
Unit 1 – Edged tools – knives & saws
Unit 2 – Fire
Unit 3 – Bow drill
Unit 4 – Water
Unit 5 – Debris shelters & bedding
Unit 6 – Tree identification & uses
Unit 7 – Natural navigation
Unit 8 – Cordage
Another new award launched in October 2021, the IOL Bushcraft Competency Diploma is suitable for instructors, teachers or leaders operating autonomously with responsibility for planning and delivering bushcraft sessions and courses in a wide variety of settings. Students must hold the Bushcraft Competency Certificate to gain the Diploma. The training course is 5 days and students must log an additional 120 quality hours before attending a separate 2 day assessment.
Units covered on this course :
Unit 9 – Fire use & management
Unit 10 – Tarp shelters & knots
Unit 11 – Edged tools – axes
Unit 12 – Animal tracking & awareness
Unit 13 – Campfire cooking
Unit 14 – Plant identification & uses
Unit 15 – Carving
Unit 16 – Game preparation
You can read the IOL’s Bushcraft Competency Statement of Good Practice here. This document details the Units taught for each of the three awards and the criteria used to assess.
If you’re not sure which is right for you, then get in touch and we’ll do our best to guide you through the various IOL bushcraft qualifications available and work out which is best for you.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.