Do I need outdoor qualifications?
In the UK their is no requirement for an outdoor operator to hold any form of qualification or licence, unless they are operating commercially with under 18's. There are however qualifications for people working professionally in the hills and mountains and these will increase your employability and your skills as a leader.

What courses are we involved in?

I regularly work on Mountain Leader and SPA (Single Pitch Award) training and assessment courses for centres in North Wales and elsewhere in the UK. I am also a provider for the new Climbing Wall Award (CWA). Here is a very brief summary of the three awards:

Climbing Wall Award:
Qualifies the holder to supervise people climbing at climbing walls across the UK. There will be bolt on elements to cover abseiling and lead climbing on climbing walls. We will initially be running these courses at Vertical Limit Climbing Wall in Worcester. Please email for dates and availability. If you have a group of 4 people we can run the course on dates to suit you.
Two day training course
One day assessment

Mountain Leader Refresher Courses:
If you have already completed a training course and would like to brush up on some of the core skills before attending an assessment course then we offer a two day refresher based in North Wales looking at the key issues that candidates struggle with at assessment. Read more here

Single Pitch Award:
Qualifies the holder to supervise people climbing and abseiling on single pitch crags across the UK.  Begore registering and attending a training course you will need to be happy leading your own climbs. Before attending assessment you will need to be happy leading Severe.

If you would like to get your own skills in place in preparation for an SPA training course then our 5 day learn to lead course is ideal. Follow this link

If you are looking for a training or assessment course then follow this link to Blue Peris Mountain Centre who run a number of courses throughout the year.

Mountain Leader Award:
The appropriate qualification for leading groups in the UK Mountains in summer conditions, the syllabus covers group leadership, navigation, security on steep ground, expedition skills, emergency ropework, rescue drills and environmental awareness.

The Mountain Leader award is for people who are experienced hill wlakers who would like to lead other people in the mountains. Before you attend a training course you should be a competent navigator and hill walker. If you would like to get your own skills in place in preparation for an ML training course then our 2 day hill skills course is a good place to start. Follow this link.

If you are looking for a training or assessment course then follow this link to Blue Peris Mountain Centre who run a number of courses throughout the year.