Coaching qualifications review launched

Twelve years on from the launch of the UK’s climbing coaching qualifications, Mountain Training UK & Ireland is conducting its first full review of the qualifications during 2025. Since they were launched in 2013, 3,912 individuals have completed training and 838 people are now qualified Foundation, Development or Performance Coaches.

 

Over the last twelve years, the perception of climbing coaching has changed enormously thanks to several factors including an increase in the number of climbing walls, the growth of NICAS delivery to young people and increased media coverage of competition climbing and the Olympics. Alongside this the growing appetite for information about training for climbing and improving personal performance has led to professional coaches working with new and developing climbers of all abilities.

 

“Coaching in climbing has really come of age and as the UK’s main coach education provider, Mountain Training is committed to our ethos of ongoing review and development to support the sector. The context in which coaches work forms a key part of this review and I am looking forward to working with our partners as we seek to better understand how employers and deployers view coaching within their environments, as well as what skills coaches need to thrive in them.” Guy Jarvis, Strategic Lead for the review and Mountain Training England Executive Officer.

 

The review will include an extensive and detailed analysis of the content and syllabus at each of the three levels as well as how syllabus competencies are trained. Several external surveys and focus groups are currently being created to better understand the experience of candidates engaging with the qualifications as well as to understand why some climbing coaches may not be involved in the Mountain Training pathway.

 

As part of Mountain Training’s ongoing review and development of coaching, former GB Climbing Head Coach, Tom Greenall, has joined the Mountain Training team as its Coaching Development Officer.

 

Tom said, “Since the scheme was launched twelve years ago the landscape for coaching climbing in the UK has changed significantly. There are hundreds of coaches now working in climbing centres and outdoor spaces across the country and abroad. We aspire to deliver a cutting-edge coach education pathway that facilitates and meets the needs of all our coaches, from grassroots to Olympic podium. We therefore need to truly understand our qualifications’ strengths and limitations as we look to develop it into something fit for purpose for the next ten years.”

 

Part of the review process is being completed in collaboration with Leeds Beckett University to map the coaching qualification syllabuses and content to identify potential gaps in best practice.

 

In addition to this, Libby Peter will be active in providing moderation and support to the current provider team so we can learn from them and ensure delivery is the best it can be for all candidates.

 

“Our providers are an extremely dedicated team who have delivered over 1400 courses across the UK and Ireland since 2013. Part of our work is focused on supporting and learning from their experiences so we can both enhance the scheme for our candidates and further develop our provider team as we stay current with the rapidly evolving world of coaching.” Libby Peter, Mountain Training UK & Ireland Technical Officer.

 

Some key projects included within the 2025 review:  

1. A syllabus gap analysis of the existing qualifications. 
2. Surveys of organisations and individuals to better understand the needs of the sector. 
3. Focus groups to capture insights from industry coaches. 
4. Moderating provider delivery and analysis of course reporting to identify any content gaps and overlaps and to monitor methods of delivery. 
5. Mapping qualification content, relevant training and CPD.

 

The research is expected to take place between April and September 2025 with a list of recommendations being put forward to the Mountain Training UK & Ireland board in the Autumn of this year, ready for implementation in 2026.

What does this mean for current and future candidates?

 

Q: What will the outputs of the review be and what's the timeline for this?

 

A: Once our research data is collected, this will then be collated into a report of its findings from which a series of recommendations will be made to drive the strategic development of the scheme in the coming years. A specialist oversight group will be in place to manage this process together with Mountain Training technical staff. The current project timeline to produce the report and recommendations for the Autumn of 2025.

 

The strategic plan will then implement the recommendations in 2026.  

 

Q: I have completed a training course for one of the coaching qualifications but not yet taken the assessment. Does the review mean I will need to re-do the training course?

 

A: No all-historical training will still be valid with no requirement for re-training.

 

Q: I have registered for Foundation Coach but haven't booked a training date yet. Should I wait until after the review is complete to do this?

 

A: This is up to you as the candidate to decide but all historical training will be valid to support you progressing to an assessment. If the review recommends any changes to the syllabus, there will be a transition period and we will notify all affected candidates so they can prepare appropriately.

 

Q: Will any changes to the scheme invalidate any historical versions for candidates?

 

A: All historical training and assessments will be valid so candidates who have already passed assessment will not be required to retrain or reassess against any changes made to any of the qualifications.  

 

Q: As a climbing centre manager, will this mean I need to retrain all my staff?

 

A: No. Existing training and qualifications will remain valid. There will be a logical and well communicated timeframe for when any changes will be made and when they will take effect.  

 

Q: Why is the review happening now?

 

A: Mountain Training is committed to the on-going development of its qualifications and routinely reviews them to ensure they are current and relevant for its candidates. The last review of the climbing qualifications took place in 2016 and did not include the coaching qualifications. The coaching scheme in its entirety has not undergone a formal review and is long overdue. Additionally, we have now progressed through two cohorts of the Performance Coach training courses, meaning we are in a good position to gather data on the entire Mountain Training coaching pathway. 

 

Q: I would like to share my experiences, where can I get involved?

 

A: A survey for all registered Mountain Training Coaching candidates will be sent via email in April. Additionally, further consultation with coaching employers/deployers will take place in the summer. There will also be surveys made available via a link for coaches not registered with us as well as an online focus group to gather insights. Keep an eye on our news page for the latest updates. 

 

For more details please contact:  

Guy Jarvis: guy@mountain-training.org

Tom Greenall: tom.greenall@mountain-training.org

 

Header photo: Andy Flemming @Parthian Climbing