Representatives from the Mountain Leader Training Association, British Mountain Guides, Association of Mountaineering Instructors and British Association of International Mountain Leaders met at Glenmore Lodge on 2nd August to explore ways of working in collaboration and to provide Mountain Leader Training with information about the way that its qualifications are used by their members.
It is hoped that in the long term this collaboration may also bring benefits in articulating to the public a more unified message about the scope and remit of the UK's range of qualifications for leaders, instructors and guides of mountaineering activities.
THE ASSOCIATIONS COLLABORATION WORKING GROUP
This new group, gathered as a working group of the main MLT (UK) board, and is made up of representatives from the:
British Mountain Guides - Mark Diggins
- British Association of International Mountain Leaders – Issie Inglis
- Association of Mountaineering Instructors - Tony Halliwell
- Mountain Leader Training Association
Through discussion it became immediately apparent that there are many ways in which this forum could enable all the Associations to work more closely together.
The group is chaired by Steve Long, Chief Officer with MLT and, during the first meeting, the following Role and Objectives of the group are being proposed:
Role of the Group
To support MLT by providing information which will:
- enable better understanding of how Award holders are currently using their qualifications,
- how the Awards could interrelate more effectively
- how the Awards might be more easily understood
Objectives
To create:
- Opportunities to share ideas
- Clear and unambiguous information about the awards and assoications to the public
- Mutually beneficial co-operation between Associations
Some Discussion Topics
1. To develop a full mutual understanding of all the current award processes
a. Training and assessment
b. How and where the Awards are used
2. Professionalism, accountability and standards
3. Effective ways of presenting the award structure to the public
4. Ongoing development after gaining a qualification
5. Collaborative communication and marketing
The British Mountain Guides held a series of meetings this weekend in Leysin, which I attended as observer. Both meetings were very efficient and further progress was made in paving the way for collaborative work with MLT award holders as well as the UIAA Training Label. On the Sunday we showed guests from the BMG's new sponsor, Arc'teryx, around the local crags. More photos from the weekend at http://www.flickr.com/photos/46624718@N03/sets/72157626924557330/
