Additional Scheme Approvals, Course Director and Tutor Applications 2020 - DRAFT

This page supports existing Mountain Training England providers applying for additional scheme approvals, course directors and tutors. If you are applying as a new provider please view the information here.

Additional Scheme Approvals

We presently have a good number of excellent providers delivering courses across England. Although we are open to applications from new and existing providers for all of our schemes (with the exception of Rock Climbing Development Instructor) Mountain Training England will not consider them unless applicants can clearly evidence the following:

• They are suitably experienced.
• They wish to run courses in areas where we do not have provision and/or have access to a previously inaccessible market.
• They are able to generate a solid, sustainable market to reliably run a significant number of courses into 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.

Provider Application

If you wish to apply for additional scheme approvals you will need to evidence the following;

Sustainable business

Applicants must demonstrate they have a solid, sustainable business plan to reliably run a significant number of courses into the future. Applicants may have evidence of previously running leadership/skills courses or an effective means of generating new business.

Target markets

Applicants must demonstrate they have access to a specific catchment of candidates. Evidence should be supplied on application, in particular; any links to relevent organisations, marketing material or details 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.
• Applicants connected to youth organisations
• Applicants specifically accessing the following areas;

• Potential 'Hill & Mountain Skills' providers based and with markets in
• Potential 'Lowland Leader' providers based and with markets in
• Potential 'Hill and Moorland Leader' providers based and with markets in
• Potential 'Mountain Leader' providers based and with markets in
• Potential ‘Rock Skills’ providers based and with markets in
• Potential ‘Indoor Climbing Assistant’ providers based and with markets in
• Potential ‘Climbing Wall Instructor’ providers based and with markets in
• Potential ‘Climbing Wall Development Instructor’ providers based and with markets in
• Potential ‘Rock Climbing Instructor’ providers based and with markets in

Course places

Mountain Training England expect providers to run a good number of courses each year, and for growth in course places to be aspired to. Applicants who wish to deliver a very limited number of courses with minimal numbers would not be seen as beneficial to the future delivery plan, and are unlikely to be accepted. As a guideline we would expect providers to run a minimum of two well attended courses each year, for each scheme they approved to provide.

Course base and facilities

Applicants must evidence they have access to suitable briefing and teaching areas, conducive to the training and assessment of candidates. These teaching areas must be close to approperiate venues to minimise travel.

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 Leadership Awards 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 12 noon, 8th Jan 2021. 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 Board. Please understand Mountain Training England is under no obligation to accept applications and the submission fee is non-refundable. Applicants will informed of the outcome by 5th February.

Successful Applications

Induction workshops

All new course directors and tutors must attend the relevant induction workshop(s) below. Provider adminstrator attendance is optional. Workshops are only run once a year at Plas y Brenin. Each induction event costs £50 per person.

Our induction workshops are now available to book on CMS:

• 1st March: Rock Climbing Instructor, Climbing Wall Instructor and Climbing Wall Development Instructor
• 2nd March: Indoor Climbing Assistant
• 3rd March: Lowland Leader, Hill and Moorland Leader and Mountain Leader
• 4th March: Hill & Mountain Skills
• 5th March: Rock Skills

Probationary approval

Provisional approval is given to start running courses following attendance at the specific 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 we are 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 and course directors/tutors 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 new providers as soon as possible. Providers may be contacted at any time to arrange a moderation visit.

Further Guidance

For informal, verbal guidance regarding applications you may contact Mark Walker at Siabod Cottage on 01690 720314.

Application Forms

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