The LCMLA and CIC Leadership Awards are nationally recognised and adopted award schemes for instructors and guides who lead groups underground. These awards are managed using our Qualification Management System (QMS) which you can access via the link below. Anyone can register an account free but in order to join the award schemes you must purchase a license. If you register the system will provide you will details of how to do this online. This license fee covers administration and support for the online system and scheme. Other fees will be charged by the Trainer/Assessors for training courses. Once qualified you will need to keep your award up to date by attending an update workshop every five years, for which there is an additional payment to the BCA.
The BCAs Qualifications Management Committee (QMC) manage a range of Nationally recognised leadership awards appropriate for those wishing to evidence their competence to lead groups underground.
- Local Cave & Mine Leadership Awards (LCMLA)
- Local Cave Leader
- Award appropriate for those wishing to lead groups in caves
- Local Mine Leader
- For those wanting to lead groups in mines
- Vertical Leader
- A supplemental award for those wishing to lead groups in vertical systems (simple pitches up to 18m)
- Includes optional additional awards: SRT for Leader & Tyrolean for Groups
- Local Cave Leader
- Cave Instructor Certificate (CIC)
- Award for those wishing to lead others in more complex systems
Latest News
Important Message for LCMLA and CIC Schemes
In September 2020 the Qualification Management Committee (QMC) launched the Qualification Management System hosted by Go Membership (now re-branded Just Go). This marked a massive shift away from very old databases which the BCA’s Training Administrator had to maintain using outdated software. Nearly 4 years on the majority of award holders have engaged with the system, which has streamlined the management of the award scheme and ensured award holders personal data stored by the BCA/ QMS complies with GDPR.
Following the success of the system BCA is now in the process of transitioning the BCA’s membership administration to the same online system, essentially creating a one-stop shop for BCA and BCRA services. In the coming weeks award holders will notice some changes in the QMS (including the systems name) as the BCA roll out the adoption of the system. The addition of the BCA/ BCRA membership schemes to JustGo will create additional options in the membership area, once logged in. However if an award holder navigates to the QMS section the structure and use will be unchanged, and function as it does currently. As a
result award holders will be able to manage their BCA and/or BCRA membership, be it as an individual, or via their caving clubs, as well as administer their award via the JustGo on-line system. BCA are looking to launch the integration this Summer. We will endeavour to keep award
holders of any significant changes, however as ever if you’ve any queries or require support with the system please don’t hesitate to contact the Training Administrator either via the QMS or by email: ..uk
Older news items can be found in the archive of Leadership Awards news.
Info for Military Personnel
Military caving award holders who wish to gain the BCA civilian LCMLA and CIC awards can gain exemption from training by:
Registering with the BCA LCMLA/CIC scheme through the Qualification Management System which creates an account, then buying a license – click the link below
Qualification Management system
Under “Qualifications’ within your profile click “add qualification”
Select the appropriate military qualification you hold:
• CVF (gives you exemption from Cave Trader training)
• CVT (gives you exemption from Vertical Leader training)
• CVI (gives you exemption from CIC training)
Follow the instructions entering the name of the T/A who delivered your course & date
Upload a copy of your certificate to support your application
Once submitted your application will be reviewed within 30 days and, if successful, the qualification you added to your profile will be approved and you may begin the assessment process.
Info for Trainers/Assessors
Trainers/assessors can find guidance, documentation, and resources on the Trainers/Assessors Info page [password protected]
Elliot and Ball Voluntary Youth Sector Grant
Grants are available for those working in the voluntary youth sector to help fund their training and assessment under these schemes.
These awards commemorate Dave Elliot and Nigel Ball, two inspirational cave instructors who were influential in development of caver training and of the BCA instructor and leader award schemes.