I would like to be a skills scheme provider or apply for additional scheme or tutor approval/s.

Are you based in England and wish to deliver nationally recognised, quality assured Mountain Training skills courses? If so the following information will support you applying for ‘Hill & Mountain Skills’ or ‘Rock Skills’ provider (and tutor) approval

Mountain Training skills schemes

Both schemes follow the same philosophy offering quality training experiences, open to all, with no assessment element. Although participants attend for a variety of reasons the emphasis is on introducing skills in a progressive manner to ensure the safe enjoyment of the activity.

Skills schemes provider and tutor application - MTE

Application guidance

MTE Skills Provider Application Infographic V7

What is a Mountain Training provider?

What is a Mountain Training tutor?

Ongoing costs to retain approval

‘Application submission’

Mountain Training England is open to skills scheme provider applications through the year. To apply applicants must complete the application form and pay the fee (£50). Multiple schemes can be applied for, at an additional cost of £25 per scheme.

In all cases a nominated tutor (for skills scheme) is required for each skill scheme approval. Provider and tutor application is made at the same time. The application fee includes one course tutor. If additional tutors are required, the fee is an additional £25 per individual.

Applications are approved at Board meetings schedualed through the year. Dates as follows;

12th September 2024 submission deadline for the 8th October Board meeting
17th January 2025 submission deadline for the 17th February Board meeting
8th May 2025 submission deadline for the 3rd June Board meeting
18th September 2025 submission deadline for the 14th October Board meeting
17th November 2025 submission deadline for the 9th December Board meeting.

Application criteria

Mountain Training England is presently developing its delivery model with the specific aim to broaden the participation in, and delivery of, its leadership and skills schemes. Mountain Training England's Strategic Plan outlines our vision and mission. Within this three key mission goals are stated;

Increase female leadership.
Increase ethnic diversity of participation – through partnerships and support.
Develop our research and insight, and educate the workforce to support those with additional needs.

Applications are open for all of our skills schemes to those who meet our minimum requirements and are able to reliably and consistently deliver courses. Applicants who can access under-represented groups when delivering courses are of particular interest to us. As a guideline we would expect providers to run an absolute minimum of two well attended courses each year, for each scheme they are approved to provide.

Provider applications must be well considered, and evidence access to participants. Please understand Mountain Training England is under no obligation to accept new applications and the submission fee is non-refundable.

Safeguarding

All successful applicants must read our Safeguarding Policy https://www.mountain-training.org/england/safeguarding and comply with the requirements described. Successful applicants will be contacted to submit a declaration and appropriate evidence as noted below. Please prepare the following ready for submission;

Your safeguarding policy or policies
Name & contact of your Designated Safeguarding Lead

Tutor requirements

All provider applications require a nominated tutor. The individual must have the following evidenced in their account on Mountain Training’s CMS.

Essential:

Hold the appropriate Mountain Training qualification (or higher) for at least 12 months;

Hill Skills – Hill and Moorland Leader.
Mountain Skills - Mountain Leader.
Rock Skills Introduction – Rock Climbing Instructor.
Rock Skills Intermediate – Rock Climbing Instructor + FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 or L1 Climbing Coach or Foundation Coach training.
Rock Skills Learning to lead (sport and trad, combined tutor approval) – Rock Climbing Development Instructor + FUNdamentals of Climbing 1 or L1 Climbing Coach or Foundation Coach training.

Have gained a minimum of 20 quality sessions (5+ hours) sole leadership experience post assessment relevant to the scheme being applied for. This should include a mixture of venues and activities. In the case of ‘Rock Skills Learning to lead’ applicant experience should include 20+ sport and trad teaching leading sessions. Indoor experience will not suffice. Evidence of this experience must be provided through your digital logbook (DLOG), either as individual log entries or an uploaded logbook document.

Be a member of a mountain association: MTA, AMI, BAIML or BMG

Have a genuine enthusiasm for hill walking or climbing (relative to scheme)

The ‘20 sessions…’ requirement should be considered a minimum. Mountain Training England would expect applicants to have significantly more and is under no obligation to accept applicants if there is cause for concern.

Desirable:

Extensive experience as a leader or instructor in a variety of locations (relative to scheme)
Extensive personal experience mountain walking or climbing in a variety of UK and worldwide locations.
Completed Foundation Coach (climbing schemes).
Evidence of working on introductory courses or schemes.
Be a member of a mountaineering council.
Commitment to ongoing Continued Personal Development.

‘Application vetted by Screening Committee’

Once received applications are verified by a Mountain Training administrator before being passed to the Screening Committee. The role of the administrator is to ensure the application is complete and our requirements have been satisfied for both the provider and tutor concerned. This will include ensuring applicants can satisfy our safeguarding requirements.

Screening

The role of the Screening Committee is to impartially consider applications for provider and course staff approval and subsequently make recommendations to the Mountain Training England Board. Consideration is given to the full application submitted, aligned to criteria outlined.

Screening process

With the support of the Development Officer the Technical Support Administrator supports initial screening by validating evidence submitted. The original applications are supplied to the committee members.

Screening Committee members are requested to state any potential conflicts of interest with each application received. Where a potential conflict may influence impartiality, the Officer outlines the extent to which individual participate in screening. This will relate to the issue concerned.

Members are requested to comment separately on each application. Comments are collated by the Officer concerned and commonly include their personal recommendation to accept or reject an application. Where opinions differ, the Officer communicates with all to find resolution.

Although screening is primarily based on evidence submitted by applicants of adherence to outlined application criteria, the Screening Committee has the discretion to recommend rejecting applications if there are other less quantifiable causes for concern. The Screening Committee also has the discretion to recommend accepting applications on merit if they can see other significant evidence of competence and experience.

Although the aim is to reach consensus, where this is not possible the majority view is taken. The majority view is then reported to the Board.

Outcome

In the case of successful applications, probationary terms to acceptance are suggested. Where the Screening Committee recommends rejecting an application, their reasoning is outlined. The Development Officer communicates this to the Mountain Training England Board.

‘Mountain Training England Board approval’

Induction attendance

'Applicant is granted approval'

Supporting charities delivering courses

Further Guidance