Course Training Plan

COURSE TRAINING PLAN

TO DELIVER THE

MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER

OPERATOR TRAINER COURSE

Issue 3 (Vertical Reality) – 11 October 2013

This Course Training Plan is sponsored by HQ Land Forces Cadets Branch. Alterations and amendments to this Course Training Plan can only be made by the Cadet Adventurous Training Adviser.

This Course Training Plan supersedes any earlier versions, which must be destroyed.

REFERENCES:

A.  JSP 535 Cadet Training Safety Precautions

B.  Course Training Plan for the Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Course.

C.  The Army Cadet Adventurous Training and other Challenging Pursuits Manual.

D.  DIN 2010DIN07-167 – Mobile Climbing Tower Use.

E.  Unit Mobile Cling Tower Standing Orders.

TERMINOLOGY

1.  The following terminology is used in this CTP:

a.  The MCT refers to Mobile Climbing Towers (MCTs) fitted with or without Automatic Belay System (ABSs)

b.  MCT Operator or Operator refers to those who have been trained in raising, setting-up and lowering the MCT plus other issues.

c.  MCT Operator Course refers to the training and assessment course for MCT Operators.

d.  MCT Operator Trainer or Trainer refers to the authorised person who delivers the training and assessment of MCT Operators.

e.  MCT Operator Training Course Director or Course Director refers to the authorised person who trains the Operator Trainers; they train and assess those who wish to become Providers. Directors are appointed by the Cadet AT Adviser.

INTRODUCTION

2.  This Course Training Plan (CTP) only applies to the MCT manufactured by Vertical Reality Inc.

3.  HQ Land Forces have exceptionally authorised Cadet Force Adult Instructors to supervise climbing and abseiling on MCTs with or without ABDs. MCT Operators and Supervisors must undertake the appropriate training and assessment.

4.  This CTP sets out the criteria and syllabus to be followed by those wishing to be approved Operator Trainers, who will deliver the MCT Operator course.

5.  Those Operators certified as authorised trainers and permitted to deliver training on behalf of the company’s and were originally trained by the suppliers, are not required to retrain providing that they are current, competent and have had regular experience in training MCT operators (see Paragraph 27).

BACKGROUND

6.  In May 06, the Dyfed & Glamorgan ACF purchased a MCT manufactured by Vertical Reality Inc, a US based Company. It is fitted with an Automatic Belay System designed by Vertical Reality (ABS) When fitted with ABS, MCT are classed and licensed as ‘fairground rides’.

7.  The MCT was purchased from ‘Teamforce’, a Swansea based Adventure Training Company who provided training, which included the raising, lowering, towing and storage of the tower plus the supervision of climbing activities. They conducted an appraisal of those attending and authority to conduct activities on the MCT, G3/15/6 12th June 2007 refers.

8.  In 2006 LF-PSC-Cadets, developed an in-house site specific award for MCT climbing supervisors (revised in 2010) called the MCT Award. This course can only be delivered by civilian Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) holders or JSRCI, who have completed the MCT Provider course. Both courses are in-house courses sponsored by LF-PSC-Cadets. These courses do not cover the erection, dismantling, towing and storage of the MCT, which was covered by the original MRC Operator training course.

9.  The training of MCT operators has been undertaken by those originally trained by the Supplier of the MCT. Due to CFAV turnover, there is only 1 remaining operator who received the original training.

10.  The MCT Operator Trainer course has been produced to train new MCT Operator Trainers, who will deliver the MCT Operator Course. It will also allow a greater degree of quality assurance to be maintained.

11.  It is common for those trained as MCT Operators to also be holders of the MCT Award.

COURSE AIM

12.  The aim of the MCT Operator Trainer Course is to train and approve CFAV s so that they can train and authorise enrolled members of the Army Cadet Organisation to become MCT Operators for MCT manufactured by Vertical Reality Inc.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE TO RUN A PROVIDERS COURSE

13.  Authority. Course authority is the AT Adviser to HQ Land Forces Cadets Branch. Applications for each course are to be made to the Cadet AT Adviser at least 6 weeks prior to the course dates. Authorisation and the MCT Operator Trainer Course CTP will be sent (e-mail preferred) to the CEO / Contingent Commander and the authorised Operator Trainer.

14.  Units wishing to run a MCT Operator Trainer course must complete the form, including details of the Operator Trainer Course Director, at Annex A to this CTP and forward it to the Cadet AT Adviser.

COURSE OBJECTIVE

15.  On completion of the course the aspirant MCT Operator Trainer will be able to:

a.  Teach potential operator trainers how to instruct others in;

(1)  The safety rules for setting up the MCT.

(2)  Raising the MCT.

(3)  Setting up barriers to create a safe working and out of bounds areas, etc.

(4)  Lowering the MCT.

(5)  The routine safety inspections before, during and after use of the MCT.

(6)  The MCT documentation including risk assessment, equipment logs, insurance certificates and operation procedures.

(7)  Safe towing tips (driver familiarisation will be undertaken at another time organised by the unit.

(8)  MCT Operator Course application, reporting and results procedures.

STUDENT ATTENDANCE

16.  The course is open to all who are enrolled in the Army Cadet Organisation including Cadet Force Adult Volunteers (CFAVs), CTT and AYT members, who already hold the MCT Operator award (old or new award) and have the aptitude to train others to become MCT operators.

COURSE DETAILS

17.  Duration. The course will last for 4 hours involving both practical and theory sessions covering risk management, and MCT group management and supervision issues plus.

18.  Course loading. Once the course has been authorised it can be advertised and course loading can start. A maximum of eight candidates can attend a course.

19.  Qualification. Students who pass the course will have achieved the status of MCT Operator Trainer for the MCT Operator Course. Successful attendance on this course is a recognised qualification within the ACF / CCF for training others to supervise the operation of MCTs.

QUALIFICATION LIMITATIONS

20.  Remit. Students who pass this course may ONLY TRAIN MCT OPERATORS ON THE MRC MCT ON WHICH THEY ARE TRAINED.

21.  Invalid Course Provider Status. The status is revoked if:

a.  No courses are delivered within three years.

b.  The Continuing Professional / Personal Development requirement is not met (see Para 24).

c.  A moderation officer appointed by Cadet AT Adviser recommends that the status be revoked.

22.  Continuing Professional / Personal Development (CPD). The Operator is expected to attend annually at least one of:

a.  Recognised retraining delivered by the Operator’s unit.

b.  A MCT Operator Course.

c.  Reassessment by a MCT Operator Trainer.

23.  Exclusions. The following are outside of the remit of the MCT Providers course:

a.  Any MCT other than the one on which the Operator Trainer was trained.

b.  The supervision of climbing activities unless the Operator Trainer is also a MCT Award holder.

c.  The operation of other climbing walls or other artificial climbing facilities even if fitted with ABSs.

INSTRUCTIONAL STAFF

24.  MCT Operator Trainer Course Director requirements. The MCT Operator Trainer course must be delivered by a Director who is:

a.  An authorised MCT Operator Trainer appointed by the Cadet AT Adviser to be a MCT Operator Trainer Course Director;

b.  Current in their experience and be qualified to MCT Operator or authorised trainer:

and

c.  Experienced at delivering Operator Training.

25.  Course Director responsibilities. Instructors who are appointed as MCT Operator Trainer Course Directors are to:

a.  Ensure the course syllabus is delivered effectively and safely.

b.  Ensure that all students meet the course standard on the practical exam.

c.  Complete and return the results proforma to the AT Adviser.

MODERATION OF COURSE DIRECTORS

26.  Once Operator Trainer status has been awarded the appointee is subject to moderation. The moderator will be allocated by the Cadet AT Adviser and, by arrangement, will visit the appointee whilst delivering MCT Operator courses.

COURSE REPORTING

27.  On return of the course documentation (Annex B to this CTP), the AT Adviser will check and collate the results. He will arrange the issue of a letter of authorisation to the unit, certificates to successful students and forward a list of successful students SO2 Cadet Activities, PSC, LF.

RESOURCES

28.  The following resources are required to conduct the course:

a.  A mobile climbing tower with ABDs and a place to erect it.

b. A copy of the original Operating Instructions, produced by the MRC, issued with the MCT. These should be contained within the Unit Standing Orders for the use of the MCT.

c. Helmets for all members of the course.

d. Suitable first aid cover and a first aid kit.

e. Standing Orders including Risk Assessments and Emergency Action Plan.

f.  Each student requires a copy of the MCT Operator Trainer and MCT Operator

CTPs.

SAFETY

29.  Safety is paramount during any course. It is therefore the Course Director’s responsibility to

ensure the training is as safe as possible. A generic risk assessment (Reference B: Annex C) has been produced which is to be amended and signed by the Course Director before the course begins.

30.  Even after completing a risk assessment and allowing for every eventuality, accidents still happen. Course Directors are to be familiar with the procedures required of them in the event of an accident, as detailed in Reference A: JSP 535 Cadet Training Safety Precautions (the Red Book).

EXAMINATION AND ASSESSMENT

31.  Practical examination. MCT Operator Trainer candidates are to be assessed using the same criteria (Reference B, Annex D) as the Trainee MCT Operators:

a.  Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the MCT Safety Rules.

b.  Demonstrate raising the MCT in the approved manner.

c.  Demonstrate the setting up of a safe working area and crowd control barriers.

d.  Demonstrate lowering the MCT in the approved manner.

e.  Demonstrate conducting safety inspections.

32.  A Training Objectives Summary is included at Annex E to Reference B to assist in the training and assessment process.

33.  The original operating instructions issued by the MRC, referenced to the MCT, must be used to assess the raising and lowering of the MCT.

34.  Theoretical assessment. The issues surrounding the raising, lowering and towing a MCT will be covered throughout the course by means of discussion arising from practical use of the facility. Areas to be covered include:

a.  Safe management of a MCT including the setting up of a safe perimeter, walkways, drop zones, use of helmets, etc.

b.  Supervision of waiting climbers and spectators and enforcement of the out of bounds areas.

c.  Completion of MCT Operator Course procedures and documentation.

35.  The results of assessment will be in one of two ways:

a.  Pass: where a satisfactory knowledge and application of the syllabus, skills, knowledge and attributes were demonstrated. The Course Director will annotate the course report with ‘Pass’.

b.  Fail: Where the performance has been generally weak, or the necessary experience and / or attributes not shown. The course must be retaken before another complete assessment is undertaken. The course report will be annotated ‘Fail’.

SYLLABUS

36.  The syllabus at Reference B, Annex D is to be followed. Additional areas to be covered are to be found at Annex C to this CTP and are supported by a Training Objectives summary (Annex D).

ENQUIRIES AND AMENDMENT

37.  Any enquiries about the content of this CTP or advice on delivery should be raised with the Cadet AT Adviser in the first instance. The contents of this CTP must not be amended in any way without the authority of the AT Adviser.

R J Ayres

Lt Col

Cadet AT Adviser

HQ Land Forces Personnel and Support Command - Cadets

11 Oct 2013

Annexes:

A. Application to conduct a Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Trainer Course.

B. Course Report – Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Trainer Course

C. MCT Operator Trainer Course Syllabus – Additional Areas.

D. Training Objective Summary

E. Example MCT Operator Trainer Course Lesson Plan Outline

7

APPLICATION TO CONDUCT A MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER OPERATOR TRAINER COURSE

Send completed form to:

cadet,

Cadet AT Adviser

10 Betchton Road

Malkins Bank

Sandbach

Cheshire CW11 4XL

I wish to apply for authority to run a Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Trainer course. I understand that this course WILL NOT COVER any aspects concerning the supervision of climbing activities.

Signed: ______Course Director

ACF Commandant / CCF Contingent Commander’s Endorsement

I have approved the conducting of the Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Trainer course.

Signed: ______Name & Rank:

ACF Commandant / CCF Contingent Commander

Note: CCAT reserves the right to be able to monitor the training being delivered.

A-1

COURSE REPORT - MOBILE CLIMBING TOWER OPERATOR TRAINER COURSE

I certify that the students listed above have attended the full course of training, and in my opinion are competent to be Mobile Climbing Tower Operator Trainers.