Applications for Additional Scheme Approvals, Course Directors and Tutors

For information only as applications are closed for 2018

This page supports existing Mountain Training England providers applying for additional scheme approvals, additional course directors and tutors.

Additional Scheme Approvals

We presently have a good number of valued, approved providers across England for all our schemes. Provider applicants must consider their currency, competence and potential market very carefully. Please be aware Mountain Training England will not consider applications unless potential providers can evidence they:

• Are suitably experienced
• Wish to run courses in areas where we do not have provision/have access to a previously inaccessible market
• Able to generate a solid, sustainable market to reliably run a significant number of courses in the future

In all cases a nominated and approved course director (for leadership schemes) or tutor (for skills schemes) is required for each scheme approval to run each course. Providers are able to apply for multiple course directors or tutors, for a variety of schemes, in the same application.

When Mountain Training England considers applications to approve additional scheme approvals a number of criteria are taken into consideration:

Sustainable business

Provider applicants would be expected to demonstrate that they have a sustainable business with evidence of previously running, demand of leadership/skills based courses or effective means of generating new business.

Target markets

Provider applicants must demonstrate a specific catchment of candidates. Evidence should be supplied in particular any links with organisations that would support the application, marketing material or detail of existing client groups.

Although provider applications are open for all our schemes we are particularly interested in the following;

• Applicants connected to underrepresented groups outlined in the Strategic Plan. This includes women and BME groups.
• Applicants connected to youth organisations
• Applicants specifically accessing the following areas;

• Potential 'Hill & Mountain Skills' providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Suffolk.
• Potential 'Lowland Leader' providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Cornwall or Plymouth
• Potential 'Hill and Moorland Leader' providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Suffolk.
• Potential 'Mountain Leader' providers based and with markets in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear, Durham, Stockton-on-Tees, Darlington, Hartlepool, Redcar and Cleveland, Leicestershire, Leicester, Northamptonshire, West Midlands, Warwickshire, Bedford, Milton Keynes, Central Befordshire, Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire , Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Cornwall, Plymouth
• Potential ‘Rock Climbing Instructor’ providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire or Suffolk.
• Potential ‘Climbing Wall Instructor’ providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Cornwall or Plymouth.
• Potential ‘Climbing Wall Development Instructor’ providers based and with markets in North Lincolnshire, Lincolnshire, Rutland, Peterborough, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, Cornwall or Plymouth.

Rock Climbing Development Instructor

We are presently refining our application and induction process and as such are not accepting applications at this time.

Course places

Mountain Training England expect providers to run a good number of course places each year, and for growth in course places to be aspired to. Applicants who only identify the means to run very limited course places would not be seen as beneficial to Mountain Training England’s future delivery plan, and would be unlikely to be accepted as a provider. As a guideline we would expect providers to run a minimum of 2 courses for each scheme they approved to provide, each year.

Course base and facilities

Courses must have access to suitable briefing and teaching areas. Providers must ensure that suitable facilities and equipment are available and that appropriate venues can be arranged which are conducive to the training and assessment of candidates without excessive travel. Where a reliable and previously untapped market is proven to be accessible, it is permissible to deliver courses remotely from the base.

New Course Director and Tutor Applications

Providers are able to apply for course directors or course tutors for new or existing scheme approvals.The application must be submitted by the provider not the potential course director or tutor. Course directors and tutors have no status unless they are attached to approved providers. Mountain Training England does not approve ‘floating’ course directors and tutors.

Course directors and tutors must read and ensure they understand their responsibilities as outlined in the Quality Manual and the Skills Schemes Quality Manual. Applicants are strongly advised to read the Quality Manuals in advance of submitting application(s).

Essential and desirable qualities for course director and tutors are outlined in the application form.

Application Process

Mountain Training England accepts applications from providers once a year at the September Executive Committee meeting. We welcome informal, verbal communication prior to application but will not comment in writing without formal submission.

Applications must be formally submitted by 9.00am, 6th August. Formal submission incurs a £50 charge. This includes one free course director or tutor. There is an additional charge of £20 for all additional course directors or tutors. Please submit all applications electronically to Katherine@mountain-training.org

Applications are considered by the Mountain Training England Screening Committee and their recommendations are subsequently approved by the Executive Committee. Please understand Mountain Training England is under no obligation to accept new applications and the application submission fee is non-refundable. Applicants will informed of the outcome by 8th October.

Successful Applications

Induction workshops

All new course directors and tutors must attend award specific induction workshop(s) in November. Existing provider adminstrator attendence is optional. Workshops are only run once a year.

Induction workshops dates are available to book on CMS:

• 25th-26th October: Hill & Mountain Skills - £50
• 1st-2nd November: Lowland Leader - £50
• 8th November: Hill & Moorland Leader and Mountain Leader - £50
• 9th November: Indoor Climbing Assistant - £50
• 21st – 23rd November: Rock Skills including; 21st - All Rock Skills providers and tutors - (free), 22nd - Rock Skills 1 and 2 tutors - £50, 23rd - Rock Skills 3 tutors ‘Learning to lead…sport and trad’- £50.
• 29th November: Climbing Wall Instructor and Climbing Wall Development Instructor - £50
• 30th November: Rock Climbing Instructor - £50

Probationary approval

Provisional approval is given to start running courses following attendance at the appropriate induction workshop. The probationary period is an opportunity to review performance and ensure new approvals are used actively and appropriately.

Probationary approval is reviewed after 12 months to ensure conditions have been satisfied. If Mountain Training England is satisfied with the conduct, performance and delivery, probationary applicants will be given full approval. Please understand Mountain Training England is under no obligation to give full approval if there is any cause for concern.

Probationary conditions:

New providers will be presented with probationary conditions. These will stipulate the terms of acceptance which will relate to the application submitted.

Moderation visit:

Mountain Training England aims to moderate providers with probationary approval as soon as possible. Providers may be contacted at any time to arrange a moderation visit.

Further Guidance

The Mountain Training website outlines our work and gives specific detail on the schemes.

Applicants are welcome to view the Provider and course staff area. This may help individuals understand the requirements and processes involved within course provision. Prior to submission it is worth consulting the 'Mountain Training England Strategic Plan' within and viewing Learn Lead Inspire and Our Ethos to get a feel of who we are and what we do.

For informal, verbal communication regarding applications you may contact Mark Walker/Guy Jarvis at Siabod Cottage on 01690 720314.

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