The Perfect Time For a Gap Year?
The economic downturn has hit both graduates and undergraduates. Universities are downsizing courses, leaving many school leavers stumped at the first hurdle of higher education. Graduate jobs have plummeted by over 25% in the last year and there are 50 students applying for every place; the job market looks very bleak indeed for this year’s graduates. Therefore what better time is there for a structured Gap Year?A well planned Gap Year has numerous benefits. First and foremost you will have the time of your life, but also skills gained on a well-structured gap year are much in demand.
Universities look favourably upon Gap Years; Richard Oliver of Year Out Group adds, “Students who take a year out before university arrive refreshed, focused and, if they have made full use of their time out, they will be better able to make the transition from dependence to independence.”
Employers also tend to prefer individuals who have gained skills gained from structured Gap Years, such as thinking under pressure, group management, teamwork, experiencing new cultures and the increase in confidence that comes from tackling a major challenge and succeeding.
NONSTOP Ski & Snowboard run 11 week instructor courses for those wanting the ultimate experience doing a season in the Canadian Rockies or New Zealand. They also run 3-week instructor courses perfect for those wanting to qualify as an instructor and then work for the rest of the season. Improvement courses of 2, 3 and 6-weeks are also available. At NONSTOP we believe our courses will allow you to make the most of your Gap Year. You can gain internationally recognised qualifications; develop new skills for university and the job market and make a host of great new friends.
“NONSTOP provided me with the best three months of my life. During my Gap Year I was fully immersed in Canadian culture and got to know people from all around the world making lifelong friends and contacts. Training as an instructor challenges you to think in different ways, relate to different people and perform under pressure; skills that set me up perfectly for university.” Alex Darkin, 20, Fernie 07/08 ski instructor course.
The Government has acknowledged the benefits of Gap Years for graduates. Laura Jones (The Independent) said, “The Department for Business, recently announced that it is to fund some 500 university-leavers to go on projects in India and Costa Rica. The scheme responds to the context of an increasingly tough job market for recent graduates. Furthermore, the skills developed on these projects are valued in the workplace, thus improving volunteers’ employability.”
Ben Ellinger, 24, went on a ski instructor course with NONSTOP after graduating from university and believes this is the case:
“The programme and ethos behind it were fantastic. An enormous amount of thought and consideration had gone into the development of a world class course. It teaches you excellent technical awareness and adaptability, and allows you to feel comfortable managing a group of people. Many of the skills I learnt on the course have really come into their own in my new job.”
If you are looking for advice before deciding which ski instructor course or snowboard instructor course to do we recommend this website. The website aims to give you an idea of what you should look for in a course and what you can gain from it.
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