About the role
What is a skydiving apprenticeship? A GoSkydive skydiving apprenticeship is a structured career pathway designed to develop aspiring skydiving professionals from little or no previous experience through to becoming a qualified Tandem Instructor. The pathway is delivered across three progressive training modules, with GoSkydive making a significant financial investment in each apprentice’s development throughout the programme. This investment supports comprehensive skydiving and related ground-role training, coaching, equipment, qualifications and practical experience. At the heart of the programme is our commitment to investing in great people who can deliver an exceptional customer experience. We look for individuals with the right personality, attitude and genuine care for others — people who are naturally engaging, supportive and positive, and who take pride in making every customer feel safe, confident and valued. We believe these personal qualities are fundamental to being a great GoSkydive team member. Skydiving knowledge, technical skills and operational competence can be taught and developed through training; genuine warmth, empathy and a desire to give people an unforgettable experience come from the individual. Our role is to identify people with those qualities and invest in giving them the training, experience and opportunity to build a long-term career in skydiving. From Zero to Tandem Instructor The programme is built around three modules. Progression through each is always earned, dependent on you meeting the required standards of competence, safety, attitude and performance, never on jump numbers alone. Module 1 – Learn to skydive & operational development. You’ll learn to skydive and progress through the initial licence structure, building towards around 200 jumps and developing strong canopy control, packing, and general skydiving skills. Alongside the jumping, you’ll learn how a professional drop zone actually runs: ground operations, customer management, aircraft operations, radio procedures and DZ control, becoming a vital member of the operational team. Module 2 – Commercial camera flyer. Camera development begins before you reach 200 jumps, with training in camera flying techniques and progressive practice before you move into commercial camera work. Equipment is supplied as you progress. You’ll continue building jump numbers and operational experience, developing from around 200 towards 800 jumps and becoming a competent commercial camera flyer. Module 3 – Tandem Instructor Development Having developed the experience, competence, and jump numbers required to become a professional tandem instructor, you will consolidate your training through mentorship from our experienced tandem instructor team. This support will help you work towards achieving your Handcam Rating once you have completed a minimum of 500 descents as a Tandem Instructor. What we invest in you GoSkydive makes a substantial investment in every apprentice, around £34,000 of training and development per person, on top of your employment costs. It means you build hundreds of jumps, qualifications, equipment and professional experience that would otherwise represent a very significant personal cost. Depending on your stage, that investment covers: Aircraft and training jumps to build experience Use of skydiving equipment during development Professional training and qualification courses Tandem Instructor development Specialist coaching and mentoring Camera-flying development Personal skydiving and camera equipment, supplied progressively Course fees and associated qualification costs Agreed travel and accommodation where required for specific training The programme is designed to develop professional people for the wider GoSkydive operation, so alongside the skydiving, you’ll build real experience in: Customer service and management Drop zone operations Safety procedures and operational discipline Parachute packing Aircraft and enplaning operations Flight manifesting Communication and teamwork These are skills that hold their value well beyond the eventual Tandem Instructor qualification. Have You Got What It Takes? This is an honest one, because it matters. Skydiving is a seasonal, weather-dependent, outdoor industry, not a Monday-to-Friday office job. The normal operational pattern is centred on Friday to Monday, and in the main season, particularly May through September, days can be long and physically demanding. There’ll also be days when the weather stops jumping altogether. You’re still an employee on those days, and you’ll be expected to contribute to the wider operation and your own development. We operate from three drop zones, Salisbury, Headcorn and Swansea, so expect some travel between sites as part of your development. Where GoSkydive specifically requires travel and accommodation for the programme, that’s supported in line with company arrangements. Who we are looking for Reliable and dependable · hardworking · safety-conscious · physically capable of working in an active outdoor environment · comfortable with long, sometimes demanding days · willing to learn and take constructive feedback · professional around customers · comfortable in a close team · flexible about the work they take on · prepared to support the wider operation alongside their own development · willing to travel between drop zones · and committed to developing over a number of years, not looking for a short-term experience.