Can a Week in the Wild Make You a Better Leader? Rolls-Royce Thinks So.
National Apprenticeship Week 2025
The apprentices dip their paddles into the cold, steady waters of the River Esk, working together to guide their canoes downstream. The landscape around them is raw and quiet, apart from the occasional call of a curlew overhead. They’re heading towards the estuary at Ravenglass, a journey that requires teamwork, patience, and trust.
Just a few days ago, Max, Oliwia, and Louis were in a very different environment, learning how to lead projects, teams, and technical systems. But leadership isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about adaptability, decision-making, and trust. This week, they’re learning those skills in a way they never expected.
Why are Rolls-Royce apprentices in the wild?
Every year, hundreds of Rolls-Royce apprentices swap workshops for wilderness as part of their training. During National Apprenticeship Week 2025, 84 apprentices from Derby, Bristol, and Glasgow arrived at Outward Bound Eskdale, ready for something completely different.
It’s more than just a break from routine. The programme, designed in partnership with Outward Bound, is about building resilience, confidence, and leadership.
Real learning doesn’t just happen in the workplace. It happens when you’re cold, tired, and still pushing forward. It happens when you trust your team. It happens when you think you can’t, but do it anyway.
Can a Week in the Wild Really Make You a Better Leader?
Leadership isn’t built in a boardroom, it’s shaped through experience. The challenging outdoor environment of Eskdale forces apprentices to make decisions, work under pressure, and trust their teams in ways they’ve never had to before.
For Rich, an Outward Bound instructor, this is where real leadership development happens:
"Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about making decisions, adapting under pressure, and trusting your team," he explains. "The river doesn’t care about your job title or experience level. Out here, the people who step up, support their team, and take responsibility - those are the ones who truly grow."
Meet the apprentices
Oliwia – Confidence in the Current
For Oliwia from Bristol, this experience has been an unexpected twist in her career journey. "I knew an apprenticeship would give me hands-on experience, but I didn’t expect to be learning out in the wild too," she laughs. The days have been filled with paddling challenges, navigation exercises, and moments of leadership she didn’t see coming.
"We’ve been thrown into real challenges—canoeing, navigating, leading teams—and I’ve realised I’m capable of more than I thought. I’ve also bonded with my team so quickly - they feel like friends I’ve known for years. This week has made me more confident, and that’s something I’ll take back into my work."
Max – Learning to Trust the Process
Max from Derby, is used to precision, control, and technical problem-solving. Out here, things are less predictable. He’s navigating the current of the River Esk, eyes scanning ahead for changes in the water. It’s not his comfort zone, but that’s the point.
"It’s taught me the value of being vulnerable and putting trust in others," he says, reflecting on the past few days. For someone who usually works in high-stakes environments, handing over control isn’t easy. But out here, trust isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Louis – Seeking the Challenge
Louis from Glasgow, came here with one goal: to push himself. He’s not the type to back down from a challenge, and this week has delivered plenty.
"I came here to get stuck in and not shy away from big challenges," he says. The canoeing stretches were tough, but that’s exactly what he wanted. The sense of achievement at the end of the estuary, the deep satisfaction of making it through a full day on the water. It’s those moments he’ll take with him.
More Than Just an Outdoor Course
At Outward Bound, the apprentices aren’t just learning how to navigate the wilderness. They’re learning how to lead, adapt, and believe in their own resilience. They’re developing the kind of skills that don’t just help in a workshop or an office, but in life.
For Rich, the transformation he sees is proof of why this experience matters:
"Out here, apprentices face real challenges - not simulations, not theoretical problems. They have to lead when it counts, support each other, and step up. That’s when they realise what they’re truly capable of."
Why This Matters
With over 300 Rolls-Royce apprentices taking part in Outward Bound courses in 2025, this is more than an isolated experience, it’s an investment in people. It’s about preparing the next generation of engineers, project managers, and innovators to face uncertainty with confidence.
The Lake District may be a world away from a Rolls-Royce facility, but the lessons learned here are just as valuable. And as the apprentices head back to their roles, they take something intangible but powerful with them: They haven’t just learned how to canoe down a river, they’ve learned how to lead.
Further Reading
What Does School Really Teach Us?
6 January 25
How outdoor learning can complement the classroom
Is It Time to Rethink What We Value in E...
9 September 24
What do we truly value in our education system?
Beyond Workplace Boundaries
7 February 24
Apprentice, Callum Haynes, shares his Outward Bound experiences