Cave Leader training

[thehungrytroglobite]

Hi,
Does anyone know the process of getting a local cave leader qual? The BCA qualification system seems very convoluted and it won't even let me register. Is it as simple as attending a training and assessment or are there online modules I need to cover or a book with content like they have for Mountain Leader quals?
There also don't seem to be any events at all for cave leader training. The only events showing up are cave/mine leader updates and CIC training. Where do I need to go / who do I need to contact to attend training?

 

[Babyhagrid]

LCMLA

The Local Cave and Mine Leader Assessment (LCMLA) Scheme provides an award recognising the competence of those wishing to take responsibility for others underground, for the benefit of employers or…

british-caving.org.uk

This page has a lot of information for local cave leader

 

[Tim Pickering]

Not sure why it won't let you register. That could be a bit of a glitch. Once you're registered, there'll be a list of CL trainers. You could also try an online search. Once you've done the CL training, you need to amass a certain amount of quality trips before you can do the assessment, and get your OD first aid certificate. It's pretty similar format to the ML award.

 

[LadyMud]

and it won't even let me register

Maybe it's not recognising you as a BCA member. You're not really called The Hungry Troglobite, are you?

 

[ChrisB]

You don't need evidence of BCA membership to register for Cave Leader Training. Many of the registrants are general outdoor instructors, not cavers. I've sent you a message.

 

[thehungrytroglobite]

View attachment 21896

LCMLA

The Local Cave and Mine Leader Assessment (LCMLA) Scheme provides an award recognising the competence of those wishing to take responsibility for others underground, for the benefit of employers or…

british-caving.org.uk

This page has a lot of information for local cave leader

It takes me to a JustGo page which seems different than the old one. Wants me to add random attachments without telling me what sort of attachments they want

 

[badger]

I would say the training is not convoluted, I found it enlightening to how little I thought I knew.

 

[badger]

It takes me to a JustGo page which seems different than the old one. Wants me to add random attachments without telling me what sort of attachments they want

As a person, who people who know me will say, IT incompetent, found the process very easy. And yes you register through Just Go.

 

[badger]

If your still having issues you could try e mailing Mary Wilde, at the QMC,

 

[mikem]

LCLA justgo is different to membership

 

[JoshW]

LCLA justgo is different to membership

Im pretty sure that’s not true. There was a thing when BCA moved to justgo about combining numbers on the system as it’s all one log in.

 

[Tim Pickering]

It takes me to a JustGo page which seems different than the old one. Wants me to add random attachments without telling me what sort of attachments they want

I followed that link and it took me to the login page, which then took me to the right place. It think it's a one-stop-shop sort of thing, as my BCA membership details are also on it aswel as my LCML award stuff, and you don't need to be a member of the BCA to enrol on the award.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

Pete Knights website seems to have clear overview of the main points and gives you some appreciation of costs

LCMLA | Pete Knight – Underground Specialist

undergroundspecialist.co.uk

 

[Pete K]

Thanks Tom.
@thehungrytroglobite I'd be happy to talk you through anything that you don't understand about the scheme or answer any questions you might have. Feel free to PM or email me.

The very quick answer is: Do a training course, consolidate group leading experience, do a core skills assessment day, do a group leadership assessment trip, job done. Add vertical stuff to your award in the same way by doing the next level.

 

[BCA Membership]

LCLA justgo is different to membership

We were different systems until September 2024. Now membership, training and BCRA membership are all on one system.

At what stage are you not able to register?

Mary - who looks after the training scheme for BCA, is very helpful!
Her email is trainadmin (at) british-caving.org.uk

​

Just in case you have found an old/ dodgy link somewhere here is the link to the online system:
https://britishcaving.justgo.com

If you were a 2024 or 2025 BCA member you will already have an account. Your username will be the email address you use for BCA membership. Put that in the login box, and click forgot password. You should get an email with a link to set a password.

 

[Ian P]

Just for general information.
There are grants available for anyone using the awards in a voluntary youth section capacity.

 

[cavetroll]

I’d also add that it’s a really niche qualification with small numbers of candidates, so don’t expect the same polished experience of the ML or other outdoor awards with full time staff and trainers running dozens of courses a year.

It is however getting much much better. I did my level 1 in 2015 and it was absolute chaos. My more recent experiences have been really positive.

 

[flashheart]

Hi,
Does anyone know the process of getting a local cave leader qual? The BCA qualification system seems very convoluted and it won't even let me register. Is it as simple as attending a training and assessment or are there online modules I need to cover or a book with content like they have for Mountain Leader quals?
There also don't seem to be any events at all for cave leader training. The only events showing up are cave/mine leader updates and CIC training. Where do I need to go / who do I need to contact to attend training?

As far as I know, there is no single recommended book that covers all the content for the awards, but this page:

LCMLA

The Local Cave and Mine Leader Assessment (LCMLA) Scheme provides an award recognising the competence of those wishing to take responsibility for others underground, for the benefit of employers or…

british-caving.org.uk

has a section called QMC Documents for Award Holders, which has various resources. These should contain lots of interest for all cavers, not just those interested in the leadership scheme.

 

[Ian P]

There is no “Manual” as such for these awards. Sourcing suitable learning material is a bit of a challenge, the resources Flasheart linked to are good, Pete Knight has some nice resources on his website.

Certainly for “starters” Andy Sparrows book has lots of good information set out in a very readable way. Some of the “technical” stuff has obviously evolved so don’t take everything as current, but the geology etc is still relevant. An updated version of this book would be really nice. (Andy ???)

 

[cap n chris]

That IS the updated version of Andy's book.