Where can you work as an IML?

It trains and qualifies you to lead groups throughout the mountain regions of the world, during all seasons and to altitude.

It is important to note that the IML qualification offers much more scope than leading in one or two central European countries. For more information about working in the EU as a UK citizen see our page, Working in the EU.

Being part of a growing UIMLA gives UIMLA IMLs more opportunities for using the qualification abroad as more and more countries recognise the value in it as a qualification and the mutual recognition it provides, especially as more countries are looking to regulate the profession and the UIMLA IML becomes the defacto standard. UIMLA has 27 members and counting the list of current members of UIMLA can be seen here.

Where do the different organisations fit into all of this?

Whilst it is a confusing picture of who exactly does what, simplistically:

MTUKI

Oversees the scheme registration through the Candidate Management System (CMS), and management of the training and assessment processes.

Glenmore Lodge & Plas Y Brenin

The National Centres advertise and deliver the IML training and assessment courses on the ground, both at home and overseas.

UIMLA

Own the qualification of UIMLA IML and licence its use through its national association members (that’s BAIML for UK & Ireland)

BAIML

Represent the needs of its professional membership post-qualification primarily. Ensure the delivery of the award in collaboration with our above stakeholders meets the UIMLA requirements and our members maintain the required professional standards. And not least manage the issuing of the all-important ‘carnet’ (licence) to our IMLs.

Still clear as mud? For a more detailed explanation of the intricacies see the MTUKI Roles and Responsibilities guidance document here.

Where to get the ball rolling

Head over to the MTUKI site and find out more about the schemes. Here, you will register for the schemes and start your journey.

Who delivers courses?

Training and assessment at Summer Mountain Leader level is provided by a number of commercial providers in addition to the national mountain centres of Glenmore Lodge in Scotland and Plas-y-Brenin in Wales, but only the national centres are able to deliver training and assessment courses at IML level. Whilst three of the four courses are delivered overseas they are still delivered by the national centres.

To see the full syllabus and guidance notes for the IML award and entry requirements, go to the MTUKI website.

I haven’t done my Summer Mountain Leader yet, do I have to commit to the IML scheme right at the start?

No need to commit at the start as it is not for everyone, a key strength of the MTUKI scheme is the space for personal development and taking it at a pace that suits. You can’t register until after you have completed your Summer ML, so you have plenty of time to consider it.

Joining BAIML

Aspirant membership of BAIML is available once you have completed your IML summer training and is complementary for the remainder of the year, this process happens automagically and you shouldn’t need to do anything. Prior to qualification, you can choose to renew as an aspirant member.

Upon qualification and your wish to work as a UIMLA IML and wear the UIMLA badge, then membership of BAIML is a requirement. Like all professional qualifications (think doctors, lawyers, engineers etc) you need to maintain membership of your professional body for your qualification to remain valid.

Total minimum effort

The total minimum effort required including the prerequisites is 40 days of training, 14 days of assessment, first aid, 8 nights camping with 4 nights wild camping, and 100 QMD’s (Quality Mountain Days) – In total, a minimum of 154 days or 964 hours. A document describing the total minimum effort required to complete the MTUKI IML award can be downloaded from the Working Abroad pages in the members area of the website.