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The tables below set out what the BEG requires of its Leaders in terms of qualifications, training and experience.
These requirements are mandatory. There is some scope for flexibility built into the specifications, but exceptions to the requirements will only be made in clearly defined circumstances, after proper and documented consideration as set out in BEG’s internal procedures.
No “desirable” components are set out – anything over and above the requirements specified will be a bonus, and will possibly be of relevance in selecting an individual over the claims of others in appropriate circumstances. But “desirable” components cannot overcome absence of “required” components.
The requirements form the basis of training programmes for BEG’s members and existing Leaders. It is hoped to provide leadership for BEG’s programme from within the Group in this way. However, if this is not possible, the Group will actively seek people from beyond its ranks.
Leadership Teams, Leader Categories and Leader Functions
BEG Leaders are categorised in terms of "status" and "function".
Status categorisation:
- Main Leader - each expedition must have one leader and one only in this category – a BS8848 requirement; he/she is responsible for all aspects of an expedition when in the field (subject to procedures)
- Deputy Leader - this category of leader must be available to take full control of and responsibility for an expedition in the event of a Main Leader being unable to fulfil his/her role (a BS8848 requirement – in the event of there being nobody so able to take over, then the expedition must be capable of being modified to bring it within the competence of other Leaders)
- Assistant Leader - to provide support in general or in specific ways to the Main Leader
- Trainee Leader - participating as part of BEG's Leader Development Programme, under clear supervision, usually with specified limited functions.
All of these categories may be represented on an expedition in the field. In addition, in some cases there may be one or more Expedition Supporters who will provide specific support functions in relation to an expedition but who do not actually go into the field.
Functional categorisation:
- Technical functions - the knowledge and competences associated with developing and mounting an expedition in the particular destination/terrain involved, in particular those related to expedition safety and risk assessment
- Logistical functions - the knowledge and competences associated with organising the support for an expedition in terms of travel, supplies, equipment etc
- Specialist functions - the knowledge and competencies associated with any special purpose of the expedition eg survey, research, education etc.
Deputy Leaders will almost always need to meet the same requirements as a Main Leader, since as a Deputy they would need to take over.
Requirements for Assistant Leaders are not so stringent as for Main/Deputy Leaders. Where there is a Deputy Leader, the requirements can be less stringent still, since it will not be necessary to over specify the qualities required in the Leadership Team overall.
The qualifications, training and experience of Specialist Leaders is bound to be slightly awkward, but in most circumstances if they are part of the Leadership Team then they must have a degree of competence to fulfil certain functions in addition to their specialist contribution. It is open to the Group to have specialists on an expedition who are not part of the Leadership Team; if so this must be made quite clear to all concerned, and their activities must be channelled through the Leadership Team.
So far as qualifications, training and experience are concerned, the crucial issue is “technical” functions. It is this dimension which demands the most stringent specification. BEG has agreed that its main basic qualification level will be the Summer Mountain Leader Certificate, supplemented in several cases by accredited training. Something not addressed yet is the issue of “continuous professional development” or “topping up” of such Certificates taken many years ago. In due course there may be additional qualification specifications established to take account of this.
It is emphasised that Leaders work as a team. In the matrices set out below, although most criteria apply to individual categories of Leader, some are specified in such a way that they can be present in any members of the Leadership Team ie that so long as one or more of the Team meets the criterion then the specification is met.
Definition of qualifications, training and experience
Qualifications involve the award of a certificate or similar by a credible organisation on the basis of assessment. The assessment applies to individual. It usually involves an assessment of their knowledge, skills and experience in some combination. It usually but not necessarily is accompanied by or follows on from a prescribed training and/or structured experience programme. In some cases the qualification involves or consists of membership of a credible association. The main established bodies responsible for “technical” qualifications in our field are Mountain Leader Training and the “national” bodies it coordinates, which provide a structure of mountain leader training. This is the famework which is the basis of the qualifications specified.
Training is a process whereby knowledge and skills are imparted to individuals. Training may in some cases lead towards a qualification, but in itself, with assessment, it does not automatically result in a qualification. A qualification is evidence that someone has been assessed as competent; involvement in a training programme is evidence that someone has been given the opportunity to become competent, or more competent. While there is no guarantee that an individual has actually benefitted from a training programme, it is a reasonable assumption that they may have done so. There are a whole range of potentially relevant training options available and possible, including some delivered by BEG itself independently or in association with partners of various sorts. The matrices below include some important elements of accredited training, some of them to supplement basic qualifications. It is not possible to be completely prescriptive about what might be required in a specific case. However, what is critical is that any training specified has some significant degree of external credibility, in terms of the credentials of the organisation delivering it and/or the status of the people doing the training.
Experience BEG has traditionally put heavy emphasis on experience, and often its Leaders have been on many expeditions, sometimes in different parts of the world, sometimes in the same part of the world, on BEG expeditions and expeditions arranged by others. The matrices build in a process of assessing people’s experience, especially for anyone aspiring to become a Leader, not just taking it as read; this system is being made more systematic. Experience is not the equivalent of or a substitute for a qualification (just as the reverse is true) – these are two quite separate things, and no matter how experienced someone may be, if they do not have a specified qualification, they do not pass the requirement, and if BEG wishes to waive a requirement on such grounds then it must do so with caution and following strict procedures.
Other requirements
There are a number of requirements not specified here. For instance, in most cases (and in all cases where minors are involved) any Leader will need to pass BEG’s checks regarding fitness to supervise minors, including in many cases undergoing a CRB check. And when an specific expedition is being set up, then it may well be appropriate to establish a particular type of qualification, training or experience as a requirement (not just something “desirable”) just for that case.
Review
The requirements will be kept under review by the Standards and Training Action Group.
August 2010
SUMMER EXPEDITIONS IN THE UK
|
MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Summer ML Training Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge in the research/educational topic involved
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years. |
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years. |
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years. | ||
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the previous five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the previous five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
Until the Trainee Leader scheme is fully established, experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference will suffice |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
|
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of the terrain in the same or similar locality. | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Experience of the locality although not necessarily of the specific sites visited within the previous five years. Unless the expedition does not include minors |
WINTER EXPEDITIONS IN THE UK
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MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML |
Summer ML |
Winter ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge in the research/educational topic involved
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years.
If only has Summer ML, training in winter mountaineering skills Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years
If only has Summer ML, training in winter mountaineering skills Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Training in winter mountaineering skills Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
Training in winter mountaineering skills Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
|
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the last five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the last five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
Until the Trainee Leader scheme is fully established, experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference will suffice |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
|
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of winter conditions in the terrain in the same or similar locality | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Experience of the locality although not necessarily of the specific sites visited within the previous five years. Unless the expedition does not include minors |
OUTSIDE THE UK GENERALLY (SUMMER)
|
MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel
|
Summer MLTraining Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge in the research/educational topic involved
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years.
Accredited training related to IML or MIA as approved by the Expedition Quality Panel; and/or Summer IML Training Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
|
Accredited training in expedition medicine Unless (in the view of the Expedition Quality Panel) the expedition is to an area where there is an established rescue or similar capability and/or the expedition includes a qualified medical practitioner of suitability approved by the Expedition Quality Panel as an alternative. |
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the previous five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the previous five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
Until the Trainee Leader scheme is fully established, experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference will suffice |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
|
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of winter conditions in the terrain in the same or similar locality | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Experience of the locality although not necessarily of the specific sites visited within the previous five years. Unless the expedition does not include minors |
OUTSIDE THE UK (TROPICAL)
|
MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
|
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of in the research/educational topic involved.
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years.
Accredited mountain leadership training beyond the ML level as approved by the Expedition Quality Panel; and/or Summer IML Training Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years
|
|
Accredited specialist training in tropical and jungle expeditions as specified by the Standards and Training Action Group.
Accredited training in expedition medicine Unless (in the view of the Expedition Quality Panel) the expedition is to an area where there is an established rescue or similar capability and/or the expedition includes a qualified medical practitioner of suitability approved by the Expedition Quality Panel as an alternative.
Accredited training in medical and related matters applicable in tropical/jungle expeditions.
GPS and radio/satellite equipment training |
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the previous five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the previous five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader |
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of winter conditions in the terrain in the same or similar locality | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Recent experience of the locality including critical parts of the sites or routes to be used.
Relevant language skills. |
OUTSIDE THE UK (POLAR,ICECAP OR GLACIER)
|
MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML |
Summer ML |
Winter ML
Specialist qualification for the conditions |
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of in the research/educational topic involved.
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
If only has Summer ML, Winter ML Training
Training from a qualified expert on relevant specialist techniques, as specified by STAG
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years. |
Training from a qualified expert on relevant specialist techniques, as specified by STAG
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
Training from a qualified expert on relevant specialist techniques, as specified by STAG
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years
|
Training from a qualified expert on relevant specialist techniques, as specified by STAG |
Specialist advanced training/qualifications relevant to the terrain concerned.
GPS and radio/satellite equipment training Accredited training in expedition medicine Unless (in the view of the Expedition Quality Panel) the expedition is to an area where there is an established rescue or similar capability and/or the expedition includes a qualified medical practitioner of suitability approved by the Expedition Quality Panel as an alternative. |
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the previous five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the previous five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader
Until the Trainee Leader scheme is fully established, experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference will suffice |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition
|
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of winter conditions in the terrain in the same or similar locality | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Recent experience of the locality including critical parts of the sites or routes to be used.
Relevant language skills. |
SEMI DESSERT OR SIMILAR
|
MAIN/DEPUTY LEADER
|
ASSISTANT LEADER
|
SPECIALIST LEADER
|
TRAINEE LEADER
|
LEADERSHIP TEAM GENERALLY ie at least one person on the team |
|
| KEY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Summer ML Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
|
||
| OTHER QUALIFICATIONS | First Aid Certificate or equivalent | First Aid Certificate or equivalent |
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of in the research/educational topic involved.
|
Qualifications/specialist knowledge of the research/educational topic involved. | |
| ACCREDITED TRAINING |
Accredited off site safety training
Accredited risk assessment training
BEG Main Leadership Training Course or equivalent update within the previous five years.
Accredited mountain leadership training beyond the ML level as approved by the Expedition Quality Panel; and/or Summer IML Training Unless the expedition is to a non-mountainous area, in which case a special exception may be made based on a written report approved by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Accredited off site safety training and Accredited risk assessment training unless there is a Deputy Leader
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years |
BEG Introductory (or equivalent) Expedition Leadership Course in previous five years
|
|
Accredited specialist training in tropical and jungle expeditions as specified by the Standards and Training Action Group.
Accredited training in expedition medicine Unless (in the view of the Expedition Quality Panel) the expedition is to an area where there is an established rescue or similar capability and/or the expedition includes a qualified medical practitioner of suitability approved by the Expedition Quality Panel as an alternative.
Accredited training in medical and related matters applicable in tropical/jungle expeditions.
GPS and radio/satellite equipment training |
| EXPERIENCE OF EXPEDITIONS |
Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as an Assistant Leader within the previous five years OR Positively assessed experience on a BEG expedition as a Leader within the previous five years OR Positively referenced experience as a Leader with another organisation, references to be verified by the Expedition Quality Panel |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition as a Trainee Leader with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition |
Experience on a BEG or similar expedition with a positive report/reference with external references obtained and considered by the Main Leader |
|
| EXPERIENCE OF THE TERRAIN | Experience of winter conditions in the terrain in the same or similar locality | ||||
| EXPERIENCE OF THE LOCALITY |
Recent experience of the locality including critical parts of the sites or routes to be used.
Relevant language skills. |
