Wages And Conditions Of The Victorian Outdoor Education Profession

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this research is to investigate remuneration packages and working conditions of the Victorian Outdoor Education profession. A varying range of Outdoor Educators working in a diverse range of programs and conditions were surveyed at the Victorian Outdoor Education Association's (V.O.E.A.) state wide 'Conference 2000'. The results reflect variability within remuneration packages and working conditions, however, some clear trends were evident. These included the majority of participants receiving such benefits as public liability insurance, superannuation and workcover. However, no participants indicated that they received overtime; rather they received time off in lieu of additional hours worked. The majority of participants received a benefit such as a company vehicle, meals, accommodation and usage of a mobile phone whilst physically working on programs, however, the data indicated that these benefits were not continued for the majority of participants for personal use. When the results are compared to data obtained in similar research that was carried out in South Australia, the average remuneration for the Victorian outdoor educator is generally higher than that of South Australian colleague. This research attempts to provide a more in-depth examination of what remuneration and working conditions exist for the Victorian outdoor educator, however, for a more comprehensive reflection of the industry standards a greater cross section of participants may be useful. Further investigation on not only a state wide level, but perhaps more importantly, a national level is recommended to obtain greater insight and understanding of remuneration and working conditions for Victorian and Australian outdoor educators Background Over the past decade in the profession of Outdoor Education there has always been some intermittent and spasmodic dialogue about longevity, pay and working conditions for the outdoor education professional. In more recent years this dialogue has appeared with more regularity. In April 2000, a forum in South Australia was held to examine the issue of professional wages and conditions in the Outdoor Education and Recreation professions (Polley, 2000). Results from this forum in South Australian indicated that there was a great variation in pay rates: and conditions. A 'summary of pay scales and levels of responsibilities and qualifications' was developed. It was suggested that this be used, as a starting point for further discussion, and that other issues raised in relation to pay and working conditions should be investigated further. In Victoria Lugg and Martin (2000) were focusing on the working conditions in Victorian secondary schools and Cheney and Thomas (2000) were examining the common practices of residential outdoor campsites including staff turnover and human resource management practices. Lugg and Martin (2001) found that in the Victorian Education sector, Outdoor Education is taught predominately by "enthusiastic, underqualified, overworked teachers who are trying to achieve in their own time what most other teachers get paid to do during work hours" (Lugg & Martin, p48, 2001). McArthur (1999) found when he examined benchmarks for best practice in Outdoor Education that a senior school teacher package has been promoted as a benchmark for wages and conditions for a well qualified outdoor educator. He argues, however, that clients are not prepared to pay commercial rates for their outdoor experiences and therefore stand-alone programs cannot provide salaries and conditions that meet this benchmark. Edwards and Gray (1998) explored the reasons for burnout within the outdoor profession. They suggested that we look after our clients/students better than we look after ourselves, and as a result the outdoor profession is plagued by high rates of attrition and instructor turnover. McArthur (1999) supports this, saying that there is an acceptance in the outdoor profession that staff who work full time in field positions, have a 3 -5 year 'shelf life'. …