These guidelines outline how course providers, directors and tutors use Mountain Training's Candidate Management System (CMS). The information presented below aims to suppliment guidance given at induction and update workshops. Please note that 'participants' attend skills scheme courses and 'candidates' attend leadership award courses. In the context of the CMS system, we refer to all individuals as 'candidates'.
Requirements
- All courses must be created on CMS as soon as possible and at least 10 days in advance of the course start date.
- Candidates and participants must be added as 'bookings' on courses as soon as possible to subsequently hit 'minimum numbers' 5 days before the course start date.
- Directors or tutors are required to submit course reports via CMS to Mountain Training within 21 days of course completion.
Mountain Training understand exceptional circumstances can occur. In these cases a technical officer should be informed prior to the course start date. All communication should be recorded in 'Confidential Comments' on the course report form.
Provider Information
If you are the owner of a provider account you can add general information about the organisation. This information is public and helps potential candidates and participants gain a better understanding of the provider's setup. It is also possible to add a company logo ('Profile Picture').
Adding Course Directors, Tutors and Staff
Providers can link multiple members of staff to their provider account. If these staff hold course director/tutor approval a cost is incurred. Linked staff are able to create courses, view candidate bookings (incl. DLOGs), view course reports and past events linked to them directly. If you become 'linked' to an another provider please inform us.
1. Event Type & Provider
When creating courses providers must ensure all relevant sections are completed to ensure candidates and participants are well informed.
Event Type
Please choose the 'Event Type'. In this case a 'Course'
Provider
If you are linked to multiple providers you will need to select the appropriate one.
Event Category
Events can only be created for schemes the provider has current approval for.
2. Event Details
The course dates selected should give the start and the end of the course. In the case of module courses the start date of the first and the end date of the last module should be used. Please also include the 'Total Days'. Directors and tutors should add an explanatory note in 'Confidential Comments' in the course report form.
Course Cost:
Providers have the option to input two prices. One for ‘Non Residential Cost’ and the other for ‘Residential Cost’. Providers should include details regarding what is covered in the course fee when 'Pricing'. If prices are set as £0, they will show as FREE, if the box is left empty, the price will show at 'Not Set'.
Edit Event
Details:
To be completed as appropriate. By ticking the 'Visible to Public' box the course will not be displayed on the public side of the website. Providers may include links to relevant sections of their own website for more course and booking information.
CMS will default to the course provider's address. If the course is being delivered away from this address the location should be changed.
Course programme details can be added in the 'Notes' box.
Files:
Relevant files can be uploaded for candidates or participants use prior to course attendance. This may include a course programme, booking terms and conditions and location map etc.
Enquiries:
Candidates and participants are able to submit an enquiry about a particular course via CMS. Enquiries are viewable in the 'My Course Enquiries' section of the provider account.
Bookings:
Once a candidate or participant confirms their place on a course, course providers are able add them as bookings by use of the 'bookings' tab. By searching with the MTID number the correct individual can be selected without mishap. MTID numbers can be
supplied by the candidates or participants at the booking stage.
CMS will only allow candidates or participants to be added as bookings to a course if they are registered for that scheme. For leadership award assessment courses they must have a training record for that scheme. If an error appears ‘this person is not allowed to be booked onto this course’ then it will be for one of the reasons above. Providers should contact the customer services team for further guidance if required.
Once candidates and participants are added they will receive an auto-email informing them that they are now booked on the course. The number of places available on the public course finder will subsequently update.
Course reports can be created after the course has begun. Select the ‘Create Course Report’ option from the 'Bookings' page to do this. A course director or tutor must then be selected from the list.
Course staff and observers
Following selecting a course director or tutor, course staff and 'observers' (if appropriate) may be added to the report. Searching by MTID number avoids mishap when searching for individuals.
Day Reports
'Day Reports' can be completed at the end of each day. Directors or tutors should include as much information as possible for each section and refer to syllabus headings.
Skills schemes
The ‘Venue’ is the general area where the group went (e.g. Birkdale Common).
The ‘Valley Base/s’ is where the day started (e.g. Kirkby Stephen Cafe).
The 'Syllabus covered' box should include the key aspects covered during the day. Tutors are welcome to 'cut and paste' from the relevant syllabus and remove the sections they did not cover e.g. Planning, Clothing and Equipment, Navigation in the hills.
Basic information about the day should be included in the 'Notes' box. In the case of the skills schemes this should include a brief outline of the route taken and any notable experiences which positively added to the quality of the course e.g. Navigated in poor weather to Nine Standards and returned via Pothill. A meeting with a council access officer prompted a good discussion.
Walking qualifications
The ‘Venue’ is the general area where the group went (e.g.Glyder Fawr, Snowdonia).
The ‘Valley Base/s’ is where the day started (e.g.Ogwen Cottage).
The 'Syllabus covered' box should include the key aspects covered during the day. Directors are welcome to 'cut and paste' from the relevant syllabus and remove the sections they did not cover e.g. Leadership (1.4), Hazards of steep ground (4.1), Navigation (2) and Access and the environment (3)
Basic information about the day and route taken should be included in the 'Notes' box e.g. Followed Y Gribin up from Cwm Idwal, walked over Glyder Fawr and down via the Devil’s Kitchen using a 1:40k map.
Climbing qualifications
The ‘Venue’ is the general area where the group went (e.g. Upper Tier Tremadog).
The ‘Valley Base/s’ is where the day started (e.g. Tremadog Cafe).
The 'Syllabus covered' box should include the key aspects covered during the day e.g. Personal climbing skills (4.2), Management of Participants (9.6) Equipment (1.1) Belaying (3.3)
Basic information about the day should be included in the 'Notes' box e.g. A theory session reviewing equipment and group management strategies was delivered before leaving for the crag. The crag was quite busy prompting good discussion.
Please note:
Please do not add anything into the 'Day reports' that could, in the candidate or participant's opinion, compromise the validity of the course or be considered grounds for a complaint (e.g: We only had time for a couple of navigation legs each. Everyone was finding it really hard to understand the skills involved). The 'Confidential Comments' section is more appropriate for recording sensitive information or feedback.
Confidential Comments
Mountain Training encourages directors and tutors to use 'Confidential Comments'. This is only viewable to the provider's linked course staff and Mountain Training. Comments should include any notable events and a general overview of how the course went. Please save all input using the ‘save’ icon.
Candidates must be debriefed in advance of submitting the course report. Providers have up to 21 days to submit a course report, which allows for candidates to submit further information if necessary. Once submitted, Mountain Training technical staff have up to 10 days to process the course report, in line with quality assurance. Once the course report is processed by Mountain Training the candidates will receive an email with their course result. Please note course reports may take up to 10 working days to be processed, once submitted.
Awaiting Accreditation is the default result for candidates on course reports. Course directors must change this result to one of the following:
Completed:
The candidate attended and completed the training course.
Pass:
Used for successful assessment candidates. Directors should not include comments for candidates with a Pass result. The Pass result is also used for candidates deemed competent who have attended the Expedition Skills Module or Indoor Climbing Assistant in full.
Defer:
Used where the candidate has generally performed well and has shown the necessary experience and attributes, but where complete proficiency has not been attained in certain aspects of the syllabus or where a lack of experience has been identified.
Defer - First Aid ONLY:
Used where candidates demonstrate competency in all syllabus areas with the exception of First Aid. Please do not use this result if the candidate has been deferred for lacking competency in other syllabus areas.
Fail:
Used where the candidate’s performance has been generally weak, or the necessary experience and attributes have not been shown. A complete assessment course will need to be attended.
Exemption:
Candidates with substantial experience who apply for exemption from the training course, approved by Mountain Training, will receive an ‘exemption’ result. Exemptions are only issued by Mountain Training. Further information about exemption.
Not yet completed:
This result should be used for candidates who do not complete the required hours for a course. In all cases an action plan should be created for the candidate and the detail recorded in 'Confidential comments' e.g. Sam did not attend day 2 of the course due to personal circumstances. Sam needs to attend a further mountain day with a focus on Leadership skills (1.4) and Hazards of steep ground (4.1) In all cases the candidate should return to the original provider to complete the course. This should be within 3 months.
Withdrew:
This result should be used for candidates who withdraw themselves from the course. The candidate is required to undertake the course in full. In these cases please add a note to explain why this was the case in Confidential Comments.
Did not show:
If a booked candidate does not attend the course, this result should be used.
Participants should receive onward advice in advance of submitting the course report. Once submitted, Mountain Training technical staff have up to 10 days to process the course report, in line with quality assurance. Once the course report is processed by Mountain Training the participants will receive an email with their course outcome. Please note course reports may take up to 10 working days to be processed, once submitted.
Awaiting Accreditation is the default outcome for participants on course reports. Tutors must change this result to one of the following:
Completed:
The participant attended and completed the skills course.
Not yet completed:
This result should be used for candidates who do not complete the required hours for a course. Please add a note on why this was the case in 'Confidential Comments'. Participants may wish to complete the course in the future and therefore will need guidance on how to do so.
Withdrew:
This result should be used for participants who withdraw themselves from the course, while the course is ongoing.
Did not show:
If a booked participant does not attend the course from the start, this result should be used.
When a candidate's performance merits a defer or fail result the written report submitted becomes the formal record. All relevant information must be included to support the deferred/failed candidate and the assessor who conducts the re-assessment. Feedback is individualised and should relate directly to the candidate in question.
In many cases candidates will benefit from gaining further experience prior to re-assessment. Although recommendations may be given, course directors may only actually demand additional experience to match the minimum requirements of the scheme.
Structuring the report;
- Write in 3rd person (he/she/they).
- Use the candidate’s name not ‘you’ or ‘the candidate’.
- Consider our definition of ‘defer’ or ‘fail’ before writing.
- Start with a positive.
- Keep it factual, evidencing throughout.
- Use simple terminology.
Lowland Leader assessment - example:
Candidate performance:
Danny performed well and demonstrated competence in many syllabus areas. His environmental knowledge was particularly good. Unfortunately however, he was unable to demonstrate competence in the following;
4.1 Demonstrate the ability to recognise and manage common hazards in the environment whilst leading groups - Danny was unable to consistently identify key hazards, explain how they might pose a risk to groups and how he might effectively manage them. For example, he was unaware of the significance of the slippery, broken slabs close the Hereford Canal tow path and exposed steep ground below the disused train track (GR543234).
7.3 Orientate the map. Relate the map to the ground and vice versa. Recognise key features in the landscape and identify them on a map - Danny struggled to relate the ground to the map to identify his position on a number of occasions. For example, Cross Foxes junction and the path junction at GR 342123.
Before further assessment it is recommended that experience is developed as follows:
Danny now needs to develop a greater understanding of risks posed in the lowland environment and appropriate group management strategies. Additionally Danny needs to refine his navigation skill with an emphasis on map and ground interpretation. Shadowing experienced instructors and additional training may assist this process as will further practice or attendance on relevant CPD events with the Mountain Training Association.
It is recommended that the reassessment take the following form:
It is recommended Danny be reassessed for 6 hours min. in Lowland Leader terrain. During this time Danny should be given the opportunity to demonstrate his awareness of key hazards and how he might manage them effectively as a Lowland Leader (4.1 Demonstrate the ability to recognise and manage common hazards in the environment whilst leading groups). Danny should also be given the opportunity to demonstrate his ability to identify key features on the map and ground and relate one to the other (7.3 Orientate the map. Relate the map to the ground and vice versa. Recognise key features in the landscape and identify them on a map). There may be an advantage in using mock students to support reassessment.
First Aid:
It is possible to defer candidates for lacking an appropriate first aid qualification alone. To do this please tick ‘Defer – first aid only’ in the 'Results' tab. Please do not use this result if the candidate has been deferred for lacking competency in multiple areas of the syllabus.
If you use this option please state the following in the 'Comments' box (this should auto-fill);
Candidate Performance:
The candidate performed at the standard in all elements of the syllabus but did not have a valid first aid certificate.
Before further assessment it is recommended that experience is developed as follows:
Attend a first aid course in line with the assessment prerequisites.
It is recommended that the reassessment take the following form:
Presentation of a valid first aid certificate to any approved Mountain Training provider.
Practical reassessments cannot take place within three months of the initial assessment to allow sufficient time for practise and preparation. All deferral reassessments must be completed within five years.
Directors must comment in ‘Confidential Comments’ that the assessment course was a re-assessment. If the candidate was unsuccessful directors must comment ‘second assessment’. The first assessment is considered their actual assessment. The second assessment is the candidate's first re-assessment. This allows only one more re-assessment to be completed (two re-assessments in total). If unsuccessful on this second occasion, candidates must attend a further assessment in full.
Once candidates have been booked onto a course on CMS the 'My Candidates' tab reveals a table that includes a link to deferral reports. These reports can be downloaded easily. Directors should comment on which deferral it is when completing reports.
When re-assessing providers may find it helpful to ask candidates to print off their deferral report and/or email their Defer PDF as part of the booking process.
In the case of first aid reassessment a new, separate assessment course report form must be submitted.
When directors and tutors complete courses (i.e. submit the course report) CMS records the course places online. To make payment for course places click on the payment tab in the provider section. Providers are able to see what courses they ran, who attended and how much payment is due. Ideally payment is made as the director or tutor closes the course. Payment is made via credit or debit card.
If providers don’t make payments CMS sends an email asking the provider to complete the payment. If this is ignored the provider receives a further email reminder. If the provider does not pay within 30 days Mountain Training England may choose to suspend the account. This means the provider will not be able to create or run any courses until payment has been received.
When providers add candidates or participants to courses, directors and tutors are able to view their DLOGs. Directors and tutors are unable to view DLOGs prior to booking unless candidates or participants specifically 'share' their DLOG. To do so, candidates or participants should be asked to click the 'Share' button, and input the course provider or director/tutor contact email address. CMS will send an email confirmation.
For leadership award courses Mountain Training expects directors to check candidate logbooks/DLOG before candidates arrive on the course.
In exceptional cases, training course candidates may arrive on courses without a complete DLOG satisfying the course prerequisites e.g. due to late booking. In these cases course directors may consider holding back the course report form until the candidates have provided evidence of satisfying the prerequisites. Course directors have 21 days to submit the course report. If it is the intention of the course director to withhold submitting a course report please communicate this to all candidates. This ensures the other candidates understand the cause of the delay in accreditation. If candidates do not provide adequate evidence within 21 days the course director may consider not crediting candidates with training attendance. If the director wishes to do this candidates should be marked as ‘Did not complete’ in the course report form. A note should be added in ‘Confidential Comments’ and they could be encouraged to apply for exemption when they can show evidence of the training prerequisites. This would incur a cost (standard exemption fee). Providers should outline this in course notes so the candidates are well aware of the expectation upon them before attending the training course.
Guidance for candidates and FAQs are available here
Directors or tutors are required to submit course reports via CMS to Mountain Training within 21 days of course completion. Once the director or tutor is happy with the report they should click the 'SUBMIT' button at the bottom of the course report. CMS will then notify technical officers a course is ready to be quality assured ('processed') by Mountain Training.
Reports are checked by Mountain Training staff for appropriate staff or tutor qualifications, ratios and venues. Candidates and participants will not be accredited with attendance until Mountain Training staff have signed off the report. If it is the intention of the director to withhold submitting a course report for the full 21 days (e.g. to allow an award scheme candidate to present a valid first aid certificate, for example) please communicate this to all candidates and participants. All candidates and participant accounts will not be updated until the course report is processed.
- Provider Agreement
- Leadership Schemes Quality Manual
- Skills Schemes Quality Manual
- Scheme Information
- Resources and Downloads
- CMS and Course Reporting
- Branding and Marketing
- Reasonable Adjustments
- Safeguarding
- Incident and Near Miss Reporting
- Applying for provider, course director and tutor approval
- Mountain Training England Candidates Complaints Process
- Mountain Training England Candidate Appeals Process