Written by Cath Luke, MTE Responsible Officer to Ofqual 28/9/15

Mountain Training England has renewed its recognition with OfQual

MTE is an Awarding Organisation recognised by OfQual with four qualifications currently regulated. OfQual regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

Mountain Training England’s qualifications existed for many years before they appeared on OfQual register. The qualification titles are therefore widely known by our candidates and user groups. OfQual conventions and requirements mean that we could not submit them to the register with their existing names. The qualification names appear on OfQual register in the form outlined below. The titles they are known by in the public domain appear, followed by the titles as they appear on the OfQual register. VRQ stands for Vocationally Related Qualification.

The following MTE qualifications are currently regulated by OfQual:

• Climbing Wall Award – MTE Level 3 Award in Climbing Wall Supervision (VRQ)
• Single Pitch Award – MTE Level 3 Award in Single Pitch Rock Climbing Supervision (VRQ)
• Climbing Wall Leading Award – MTE Level 3 Award in Climbing Wall Leading Instruction (VRQ)
• Mountain Leader Award - MTE Level 3 Award in Mountain Leadership (VRQ)

OfQual recognition means that the potential for our candidates to obtain funding for these qualifications from national sources is there. We are not aware of any actual public funding streams in existence at the moment but being recognised by OfQual is a positive step towards our candidates being able to access funding should any become available in the future. Also, ELCAS, the organisation that provides funding for retraining for people coming out of the armed services, require any qualifications they fund to be recognised by OfQual.

One of OfQual’s requirements is that we sign a statement each year to say that we are in compliance with all of its general requirements. Before we signed up we conducted an audit of our business, our methods of operation, our procedures and our policies. MTE values this review opportunity and views the process as a mark of good practice and good governance.

On Tuesday 8th September, having completed this annual audit, the Chair of MTE signed our Statement of Compliance. We look forward to next year, when we will be changing the emphasis of our review in line with OfQual’s shifting focus on qualification validity.

Our Plans for the Future

The following qualifications are not currently regulated by OfQual:

• Hill and Moorland Leader Award
• Lowland Leader Award
• Expedition Skills Module
• Mountaineering Instructor Award
• Mountaineering Instructor Certificate
• International Mountain Leader Award
• Coaching Awards

Our intention is to submit these qualifications for regulation within the next six months.