Future Courses

Current Planned Courses

Corona Virus...
Current COVID lockdown restrictions do not apply to these courses as they satisfy the criteria of a “reasonable excuse” to travel both in and out of the county. Should the regulations change preventing the course from taking place candidates will be given the option of a refund in full or a place on the next available course.
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.

North Wales Panel Courses

The North Wales Trainer/Assessor Panel for the LCMLA scheme run a number of courses each year around the second week of December. These courses are delivered by a number of panel members, as well as provide an opportunity for those in need of an assessment.

If you're interested in any of these courses you can book a place by clicking here

Log into the QMS here: https://britishcaving.azolve.com/ You'll need to register with the BCAs Leadership Award Scheme prior to attending any courses
Note a copy of your booking enquiry form will be sent to your invoice address in addition to your own address,

Assessment Candidates, please read


Before presenting for assessment please double check you have the minimum log-book experience as outlined in the BCA Handbook

  • Have at least 1 year cave/mine exploration
  • 30 trips in 10 different systems (including 2 different type of mines for Mine Leader)
  • A proportion of these should be as a leader under supervision
  • Some trips may be above and beyond the remit of the level 1

5 of these must be quality days, defined as satisfying at least 4 of the following. Please nominate and highlight the 5 trips you consider best reflect quality days in your logbook when presented

  • Exploration of a new route or system
  • Incorporate at least 4 or 5 hours underground exploration
  • An experience that develops an individuals caving/mine exploration knowledge, skills and awareness
  • Incorporates skills above the level of the candidates qualification
  • Self led
  • Involve some vertical skills or digging
  • Exploration of a cave that responds to rainfall

Please be prepared to present your log book on request. This can be done by posing or dropping off your log book to Oaklands OEC, or by sending us photos or a scan of your logbook.

Independant Course Booking Form

Prior to attending this course you must be registered with the BCAs Qualification Management System. You can do this by clicking here: https://britishcaving.azolve.com/
Click for invoicing details
If you're choosing to be invoiced I'll need confirmation from the person/Centre/School paying the bill before your place can be confirmed. Once you hit submit an email will be automatically sent to whoever email address you've entered below.
Enter a contact name, Centre or School name so I can get in touch with them and confirm your invoice
If you work for an Outdoor Education Centre, School, or employer who will be paying for your course, please provide an email address for whoever is paying the bill. If you're paying yourself please leave this blank.
You only need to fill the following 4 sections if you are booking an assessment

COVID-19

Please confirm, by ticking the boxes below, that you will not attend this course should you develop any of the symptoms outlined below.

Please also confirm you understand the measures we will need to take to ensure we are as safe as reasonably practicable prior to attending and during the course

Note should you not be able to attend this course due to COVID you will be offered a full refund or a place on the next course

Agree that you will not attend this course if any of the following apply to you *
Please tick to confirm you understand and will follow the guidelines listed below during the course

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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