Designed for leaders of mountain bike and cycle groups to provide, safe, effective and enjoyable mountain biking and road riding for participants of any ability, the Leader Award Scheme provides a range of qualifications. Each award suits different environments and capabilities of the leader.

A substantial emphasis within the scheme is placed around the leader meeting the needs of the participants, therefore providing a service which enthuses and rewards them. This ethos is continued as part of the scheme, with courses based around the needs of candidates as well as aiming to meet those of the qualifications.

Road Leader
Site Specific Leader
Assistant Leader
Trail Mountain Bike Leader (previously Level 1 Leader)
Technical Mountain Bike Leader combined training and assessment course
Technical Mountain Bike Leader split training and assessment courses (previously Level 2 Leader)
Advanced Mountain Bike Leader (previously Level 3 Leader)
Leader Trainer

Find out more about the qualification name changes here.

Scheme Layout

Qualifications operate in two distinct ways within the scheme. They either combine training and assessment into one course in an effective course completion system or seperate out training, gaining of experience and assessment into three seperate areas.

The qualifications work to individual criteria approved by national organisations and to UK standard safety procedures.

Combined Training and Assessment courses

Many courses, notably the Trail Leader Award as well as the Combined Technical Leader, Road Leader and Assistant Leader courses use modern teaching and assessment methods to combine training and assessment into one course. In these cases, candidates who reach the required standard for the awards will leave the course qualified. Each course has it's own pre-requisites for entry, to make sure that you are fully prepared for the level of capability required at this stage. OTC's specialised, experienced and engaging course tutors can then take you through your course providing the right opportunities for your learning and experience, as well as award achievement.

For more details, see the information on each specific award.

Split Training and Assessment courses

On higher level courses,training and assessment may be split into a three stage process: The diagram below shows the usual route through the split Technical Leader, Advanced Leader and Leader Trainer awards.

TRAINING COURSE

LOGGED EXPERIENCE

ASSESSMENT

Training Courses

Covering all the aspects of leading of mountain bike groups within the remit for each award, training courses provide a great deal of information and insight as well as initiating and developing your practical experience in controlled environments. A great deal of emphasis is placed on practical involvement during training, with feedback throughout the course and final action planning towards your goals.

Logged Experience

Between training and assessment, candidates are expected to build their personal riding and leading experience within the context of the award. This provides evidence of experience 'in the field' and enables candidates build the knowledge to complete the assessment successfully. The minimum logged experience is not substantial, in order to enable those with previous experience to minimise the period prior to assessment. Where candidates have little previous leading experience, should complete more than the minimum requirements.

The actual logged requirements for each award comprise different amount of leading and riding. For more information, see the information on each specific award.

Assessment

The assessment of each qualification is made up of two specific and separate aspects: the Riding Proficiency Expectations and the Leader Assessment

Riding Proficiency Expectations

An assessment of your personal riding capabilities against a set criteria. Guidance on and assessment against Riding Proficiency Expectations for each level of Leader Award is available during each training course. For more information click here

Leader Assessment

An assessment of your leading capabilities within the remit of the qualification, in real group leading situations.

Pre-Assessment Interview

Where qualification candidates have substantial experience in all aspects of the awards, special dispensation may be provided for them to attend a Pre-assessment Interview. This may enable the candidate to avoid a training course. For more information click here.

Selecting the right course

To help you determine the right course for you, we have developed a special guide to identifying your current abilities, leader desires and employment demands. See our guide to choosing the correct course.