Jobwise

Sun Herald

Sunday November 5, 2000

ADRIAN SCARDILLI

Malcolm Haskins, 29

Adventure tour guide

Describe your job:

I do different things in the outdoor adventure scene. I teach outdoor education to schools and guide people in the Blue Mountains. This involves rock climbing, abseiling, whitewater rafting and bushcraft skills. I work for Katoomba Adventures and Southbound Adventures. And I freelance, so my role is always changing.

What training/experience do you need?

There are really no set requirements for the job. First you have to love and know the outdoors. I haven't done the TAFE course but I have completed different sections of it through the Australian School of Outdoor Technical Training [now called Outdoor Expeditions]. I did CIA [Climbing Instructors Accredited], VTAB [Victorian Tourism Authority Board] courses. But there is no use doing any course if you are not familiar with the outdoors. One feeds off the other.

What is the best thing about your job?

I love being outside and getting paid for it is even better. I have been an outdoors type of guy since I was a kid, so I guess this is a dream career path.

Any negatives?

Being away from civilisation for so long can get a bit hard. Sometimes you are away for a month. Also, the industry is still growing and the career path can be a bit ambiguous.

Salary:

Pay varies from about $120 to $140 a day.

Courses:

TAFE offers a Certificate in Recreation (Outdoor Leadership). The one-year course covers first aid, weather interpretation and navigation. For more information, check out the Backpackers and Adventure Travel Expo at Sydney Town Hall next weekend (10am to 5pm).