Future Courses

Current Planned Courses

Important information on LCMLA training & assessment courses
Please note there are prerequisites to attending a training course, including registering with the BCA (click here). Before committing to a training or assessment course please ensure you’ve downloaded and read the most recent BCA Course Details relevant to your course ensuring any pre-requisites are met.

Training Courses at Plas Dol y Moch, February 2025

  • Mine Leader Training, 17 – 18 February 2025
  • Vertical Leader Training, 19-20 February 2025
  • Tyrolean for Groups, 21 February 2025
Click here to book a place

North Wales Panel Courses: December 2025

Further details on these courses will be published closer to the time. Watch this space!

Other Independent Course (click below for more)

Once you've submitted this form you'll receive an automated response (and in some cases be directed to a Pay Pal page for a deposit request). If you've not received confirmation please get in touch as it may be your forms not been submitted correctly.

Radon Underground: Radiation Protection Adviser role for managers

Note part of this course includes access to a excel spreadsheet created for use with the detailed exposure scheme. Your spreadsheet will include your Centre/Providers name as written here (or if left blank your name). Please do not share these spreadsheets with third parties.

Course Cost: £80

Online, normally 1pm-5pm

The following training course is aimed at those who may be required to work as a Radiation Protection Supervisor for an Outdoor Education
Centre or business running cave or mine exploration activities.

The course will cover the two exposure schemes outline within the BCAs Radon Underground guidance, including guidance on selecting an appropriate scheme based on the venues used. In addition, course members will be provided a
working template spreadsheet (in excel) which can be used to work within the Detailed Exposure Scheme mapped out within Radon Underground.

Included within the cost of the course is 12 months support in the use of the schemes.

There will be opportunities to ask questions relating to the BCAs guidance document Radon Underground during the session, however the
expectation is that participants have a good working knowledge of the BCAs guidance. Course participants must have successfully completed the BCAs Radon Underground
training module (https://classroom.google.com/c/MTc2MzIxMDI1ODYz?cjc=7odn7no)

The training course will take place on-line using Google Meets, for this participants will need to have registered an email address with Google. Participants will need to attend the course with a laptop or desktop computer, reliable internet connection, a functioning webcam and have access to Microsoft Excel.

Course run time approx. 4hrs on-line with supplementary support on request (max 4hrs over 12 months)

Maximum file size: 0.5MB

Prior to attending this course you must be registered with the BCAs Qualification Management System. You can do this by clicking here: https://britishcaving.justgo.com
Click for invoicing details
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Private, Independent or Tailored Courses

The following courses can be arranged at convenient dates. Given enough notice I can normally accommodate courses, alternatively my availability calendar may help give you an idea as to when I’m free.

Local Mine Training Course

Course Duration: 2 days

Cost: £200

Places: 6 (note this course needs at least 3 candidates to run)

Venue: Betws y Coed

Director: Gethin Thomas

This 2 day course will covers the Local Mine Leader Award syllabus as outlined in the BCA handbook.

LCMLA Mine Leader Training

Assisted hand-line underground

During the course candidates will look at the skills required to lead groups in horizontal mine systems under the LCMLA scheme. During the 2 days candidates will look at the outline of the LCMLA scheme, geology and mining processes associated with both metal and stone mines with a particular emphasis on those found in North Wales, risk identification and management, navigation underground, personal and group kit, and simple rope techniques through a series of classroom and practical sessions, including at least 2 trips underground.

There are no prerequisites to attending this training course, other than registering with the BCA LCMLA scheme (which must be completed before attending), however candidates should be comfortable exploring underground to get the most out of the 2 days.

Candidates should provide their own lunch and personal protective equipment for the course, including appropriate helmet and light, broad/load bearing belt and cows tails (made up of good quality dynamic rope). Replacement rope for cows tails will be available to purchase during the course, but please get in touch in advance so we can get these for you. Candidates should also be prepared to travel to various sites in their own transport.

Vertical Leader Training Course (inc. Tyrolean for groups)

Course Duration: 3 days

Cost: £300

Places: 4 (note this course needs at least 3 candidates to run)

Venue: Betws y Coed

Director: Gethin Thomas

This 3 day course covers the Vertical Leader syllabus as outlined in the BCA handbook, including SRT training, and Tyrolean Traverse for groups. During the course candidates will look at rigging and managing traverse, abseil, ladder and tyrolean for both group and personal progression in vertical cave and/or mine systems.

Candidates should provide their own personal protective equipment for the course, including appropriate helmet and light, harness and cows tails (made up of good quality dynamic rope). SRT kits, and replacement rope for cows tails will be available to purchase during the course, but please get in touch in advance so we can get these for you.

Personal SRT training, flexible on dates

SRT Session

SRT Session

Course Duration: 1 day

Cost: £100 (note this course needs at least 3 candidates to run)

Places: 4

Venue: Betws y Coed

Director: Gethin Thomas

This single days course would be suitable for those wanting to brush up their personal SRT skills, or prepare for the SRT for leader module for Level 2 candidates. The day will be tailored to attendees, focusing on efficient progress up and down ropes, navigating rebels and deviations.

Candidates should provide their own personal protective equipment for the course, including appropriate helmet and light, harness and cows tails (made up of good quality dynamic rope). SRT kits, and replacement rope for cows tails will be available to hire/purchase during the course, but please get in touch in advance so we can get these for you.

Cave and/or Mine Leader assessments available on request

I can assess all awards within the LCMLA, however only Group Day assessments in North Wales Caves and/or Mines. Click on the available links for further information, or get in touch

  • Core Skills, Cave and/or Mine skills day (up to 2 candidates) £200 (one or two candidates)
  • Cave and/or Mine Group day (1 candidate only) £200
  • Vertical Leader Core skills day with SRT for leader (up to 2 candidates) £200 (one or two candidates)
  • Vertical Leader group day (1 candidate only) £200
  • Optional SRT for leader (up to 2 candidates) £200 (one or two candidates)
  • Cave and Mine Transfer (up to 2 candidates) £200 (one or two candidates)
  • Additional Mines/Caves (paperwork exercise) £25
  • Additional Mines/Caves (requiring underground trip, normal for complex systems) £200

Personal tailored skills tuition

  • Bespoke exploration days £160 per day
  • SRT training £100 per person (minimum of 2 candidates needed to run this course, maximum 4)
      • + £10 per person for new cowstails & foot loop

Vertical Leader Refresher

Ideal for those wanting to brush up on their Vertical Leader skills. This is a tailored day based at either a climbing wall or suitable underground venue (minimum 2, maximum 4) £100 per person (min 2 candidates for this day to run)

Enquiry form for independent/private courses

If you’re interested in any of these courses get in touch by completing the form or click on the availability calendar to see what dates I’m free.

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