In March 2020, temporary scheme adaptations were introduced across all national Mountain Training organisations, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The aim of these adjustments was to maintain the quality and standard of training and assessment courses, whilst reducing the exposure of candidates and staff to the risk of contracting or spreading Covid-19. We did this by enabling Mountain Training providers to deliver courses adhering to guidance from the relevant government.

It is a testament to our training providers, course directors, staff and our candidates’ adaptability that so many courses were delivered through this very challenging period.

Our adaptations were only intended to be active whilst formal government restrictions were active. This is now no longer the case in the UK or Ireland so there is no requirement for our adaptations. Mountain Training would like to advise all Mountain Training scheme providers and their staff that with immediate effect our temporary scheme adaptations are removed. We return to the scheme requirements and guidance as outlined in the appropriate scheme handbook.

NOTE: under the temporary scheme adjustments, minimum ratios on all schemes were reduced to a minimum of two candidates; this is now the approved minimum number of candidates for all Mountain Training schemes – see scheme specific handbooks for details.

Covid-19 has not gone away and providers are advised to consider, as part of their operational risk assessments, what control measures they can take to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on their courses and attending candidates.

Providers should also take into account that some candidates, for a variety of personal and medical reasons, may be somewhat reluctant to be in sustained close proximity to other candidates e.g. whilst camping or snow holing. Mountain Training asks that providers and their staff please take these concerns into account and if necessary apply a policy of ‘reasonable adjustments’. If you require clarification in this regard please do not hesitate to contact your national Mountain Training organisation Technical Officer.