MIA holders instruct on multi-pitch climbing routes. Photo: Sukhjeet

MIA holders instruct on multi-pitch climbing routes. Photo: Sukhjeet

The body that oversees training of mountaineering leaders in the UK has announced a review of its Mountain Instructor Award.

Each of the eight different qualification schemes is regularly subject to periodic review by Mountain Leader Training UK, the governing body for those who lead groups in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. MLTUK wants to hear from interested parties, including those who hold the MIA.

The Mountain Instructor Award is viewed as the appropriate qualification for anyone who acts as a technical adviser at climbing walls and is the minimum for those who want to deliver Mountain Leader training and assessment schemes. The MIA is for instructors working in summer conditions and covers multi-pitch rock climbing, scrambling and other mountaineering skills.

There are currently 939 award holders, and a total of 2,634 registered with the scheme, which will include those undergoing training and consolidation of their skills. Would-be MIAs must hold the Mountain Leader award before they can register for the higher award. Experience of working with mixed groups and a minimum of 20 mountain days while an ML holder are necessary before signing up. They will also need to have logged at least 30 multi-pitch climbing routes at VS 4c or higher.

Training takes place over nine days and, after passing a further five-day assessment course, MIAs are qualified to lead multi-pitch climbing routes in the UK and take charge of training courses.

An online survey can be completed by MIA holders, their employers, voluntary organisations and other interested parties. Deadline for the survey is 31 October.

The leader awards in the UK are: Climbing Wall Award, Single Pitch Award, Walking Group Leader, Mountain Leader (Summer), Mountain Leader (Winter), Mountain Instructor Award, Mountain Instructor Certificate and International Mountain Leader Award. In addition, the Mountain Guide Award includes skiing skills.

The online survey should take about 25 minutes. Full details of the various leader schemes are available on the Mountain Leader Training UK website.