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TRAINEE LEADER

DEVELOPMENT SCHEME

In the early stages when Lakeland Mountain Guides was merely a potential concept in a self-evaluation essay at university, the idea of providing opportunities and support to aspirant leaders was always going to be an output of the company.  Lakeland Mountain Guides prides itself on being able to put back into the outdoor community, and we have a desire to provide a platform for all enthusiasts to develop their skills. When trying to obtain professional qualifications such as the Mountain Leader Award there is no requirement to get out with groups, however imagine passing your driving test having not actually driven on a road with other cars? Gaining this valuable experience puts you in a far more confident and employable position for when you are a full award holder. 

So if you want to gain experience alongside experienced instructors, attend subsidised workshops, receive mentoring and put yourself in a great position to work for us after then apply now! 

Advanced Navigation Sessions

Security on Steep Ground Workshops

ML Training Course

LMG Transparent white.png

LMG Scheme Application

Application Approval

Consolidation & 

Development

Group Management Experience

Mentoring

&

Guidance

Successful Assessment

Operate as an Award Holder & CPD. 

What is the Trainee Leader Development Scheme?

The TLDS is a scheme whereby support, mentoring and opportunities are provided to Trainee Mountain Leaders who are keen and committed to achieving the award. We will do this through providing the chance to supervise our varied groups throughout the year, on all of which you will be shadowing an instructor who has gone through the very same steps in the past. This is an excellent opportunity to see how professional instructors work, manage groups, assess risk and ensure each day is fun. 

Secondly, throughout the year we will provide a series of subsidised skills courses exclusively for the trainees on the scheme. These courses will be directed at improving and fine tuning the skills required to cruise through the assessment process. These courses will range from Security on Steep Ground days, Navigation Courses and Night Navigation Sessions.

We hope that by giving trainees the support and guidance through their training phase it will help shape them into more developed leaders for when they work with groups of their own, other providers, or even ourselves. Opportunities for supervision and the workshops will be run in either the Lake District or Snowdonia. There is no minimum level of commitment to apply for the scheme, but the more you can put into it the more you will get out of it. 

What is Required From the Trainees Who Apply?

 

There are just 6 places for 2022. We are not aiming to be elitist, but we would seek applicants to have:

 

  • Enthusiasm and willingness to learn at every opportunity

  • Committed to completing their ML by Autumn / Winter 2022 (preferably not much before in order to get the most out of the scheme)

  • Well mannered and presented.

  • Lake District or Snowdonia based, or willingness to travel to the Lake District / Snowdonia to assist with groups / attend scheduled skills courses throughout the year.

  • Own personal hill walking equipment. 

  • Completion of the Mountain Leader Training Course

  • BMC Membership for personal insurance purposes

Night Navigation Workshop
How do you apply to be part of the TLDS? Applications are closed for 2022

 

The application process is straight forward. Simply fill out our application form (downloadable here) and send it to us at lakelandmountainguides@live.co.uk. Please send it to us along with your Mountain Leader Training certificate or a link to your Dlog on the Mountain Training Association website, a copy of your BMC Members card and First Aid Certificate if applicable. We will get back in touch as soon as possible and arrange an informal meeting if possible.

What can you expect from Lakeland Mountain Guides?

 

As well as the aforementioned mentoring from professional instructors, discounted skills courses and supervision opportunities, Lakeland Mountain Guides will also be able to offer you:

  • Access to our trade accounts with brands such as Berghaus, Leki, Aku, Ruffwear & Aquapac. 

  • Endorsements and References for future employment upon successful completion of the scheme. 

  • Please note, this is not a paid role. It is a development scheme for which the more you put in the more you get out of it. 

 

Further Opportunities Post Assessment

 

On successful completion of your Mountain Leader Award you will have the opportunity to join Lakeland Mountain Guides on a freelance basis. You will also be provided with company uniform to use within your career. A host of opportunities to work with experienced instructors and be part of any continual professional experience will also be on offer.

 

For further information, or to discuss your suitability to joining this scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us.

"The experience and training was a great help in getting me ready for assessment. I would recommend anyone going for their ML to apply. 

Here is why...
There is a big gap between doing the ML training course and the ML assessment. 
The program gave me a good mix of experience in different mountain areas, along side qualified ML's doing their job. That made it much easier to answer questions on assessment and put what I was doing into a professional context. 
In addition the extra training was a great refresher and proved very worth while. On assessment they are looking for technical skills to be demonstrated quickly. You should be slick and focus more on group management. 
You can log QMD's solo or with a few friends and family, but the ones with real clients who need real help and support are much more valuable. We were reminded on assessment that the ML award is as a 'Leader', it's in the name! You are responsible for others. Good leadership is ultimately what the assessment is looking for and where the experience on Lakeland Mountain Guides Scheme really helps out. 

In addition to all that.. 
I got to meet a great group of people. 
Make some new friends & good memories. 
It was really good fun! :) "

John Newbury - 2016 Candidate

Download Application Form Here

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