Thomas Valentine
Summary
I love climbing and on my off days I am working towards the Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor accreditation. A favourite personal achievement is a successful solo traverse of the Cuillin Ridge. I am also a keen cyclist and runner.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Senior Lead Instructor
Challenging Adventure UAE
2025.10 - 2025.12
- As Senior Instructor I was charged with welcoming teachers and ensuring they were comfortable during their stay. One of the most rewarding experiences was training the instructors for the upcoming season and honing their rock climbing instructor skills.
Seasonal Activity Instructor
Brenscombe Outdoor Centre Dorset
2025.03 - 2025.10
- Working for Brenscombe Outdoor Centre has been a fantastic opportunity to develop my abilities. I learnt new skills such as bushcraft whilst honing existing skills like target sports and paddling. Leading rock climbing session on Dancing Ledge allowed me to acquire the skills and logs to undertake the Rock Climbing Development instructor training.
- Instructing Gold D of E groups during their residential has been the highlight of the season. Teaching highly motivated young people who want to be in the outdoors has been very rewarding.
Assistant Senior Instructor
Carlingford Adventure Centre Ireland
2024.02 - 2024.10
- In this role I needed to be ready to adapt to the needs of the Adventure Centre ad hoc, whilst ensuring the clients enjoyed a fun and safe session. In the mornings I was responsible for the building, which in the peak season this could be up to 250 people. I needed to ensure the instructors were waking residents for breakfast, getting residents ready for their activities with beds stripped for housekeeping to turnaround. I could also be tasked with ensuring the activities for the day were staffed correctly and able to go ahead weather permitting. I would make changes to the plan if the weather fell outside of the operating procedures which would usually only affect water activities.
- The days varied a great deal and I could be leading sessions through variety of activities, such as zip-lining, archery, high ropes, kayaking, canoeing, SUP, rock climbing or Gaisce hill walking to name some. Other days I could be in a support role writing the activity plans for the centre, performing site work or dropping into a group as cover for staff sickness. It was the role of ‘Group Lead’ I found most rewarding. When Group Lead you were with a group from their arrival until their departure ensuring both their stay and activities. You ran their sessions and built a rapport with them. For me this really helped me deliver a top tier session as I could tailor the activities to their skills and abilities which allowed me to challenge them accordingly.
Toolroom Manager
Berry Plastics
2015.08 - 2023.07
- Working in dynamic environment taught me to collaborate effectively with people from all levels of an organisation and adapt to new challenges. Meeting the demands of the production departments was a rewarding endeavour, particularly whilst managing a highly skilled team of engineers. I also had the opportunity to guide and mentor junior colleagues. This experience honed my leadership and communication skills while instilling a sense of responsibility and accountability.
Contract CNC Machinist
2013.01 - 2015.01
Education
BA - Digital Photography
London South Bank University
2010.01 - 2013.01
ONC - Mechanical Engineering
2005.01 - 2010.01
Skills
- Rock Climbing Instructor
- Rock Climbing Development Instructor trained
- Summer Mountain Leader
- Enhanced DBS
- ERCA Traditional High & Low Ropes Instructor
- British Canoeing Paddlesport Instructor
- British Canoeing Paddlesport Touring Leader
- British Canoeing Multi Day Paddlesports Touring Award
- British Canoeing Foundation Safety & Rescue Training course (FSRT)
- British Canoeing White Water Safety & Rescue Training course (WWSRT)
- British Canoeing Start, Discover & Explore Awards in Canoe, Kayak & SUP
- Scottish Canoe Association Raft Guide Award (Grade 2)
- Outdoor First Aid Certification (16 hour)
- National Powerboat Certificate (Level 2) - Ireland
- Risk assessment in the Outdoors module
- Trailer (BE) licence
- Child wellbeing & protection in Sport safeguarding course
Training
Active Outdoor Pursuits Instructor Training Course (ITC) July 2023 – October 2023
Timeline
Senior Lead Instructor
Challenging Adventure UAE
2025.10 - 2025.12
Seasonal Activity Instructor
Brenscombe Outdoor Centre Dorset
2025.03 - 2025.10
Assistant Senior Instructor
Carlingford Adventure Centre Ireland
2024.02 - 2024.10
Toolroom Manager
Berry Plastics
2015.08 - 2023.07
Contract CNC Machinist
2013.01 - 2015.01
BA - Digital Photography
London South Bank University
2010.01 - 2013.01
ONC - Mechanical Engineering
2005.01 - 2010.01