In reply to gilliesp:
Its supply and demand. Its a popular job route along with others like environmental/countryside ranger type stuff.
When I used to advertise for a climbing instructor I'd get maybe 50 people apply. Most had got SPA which only takes a couple of days to do and little cost. 95% were probably capable of doing what I wanted them to do.
If you wanted, say a summer ML, which takes a little longer to get and costs more then I'd maybe get 20 - 30 applicants. Most could do what I wanted them to do but I chose those with better people skills.
There are lots and lots of folk chasing few jobs.
When I ended up in HR/Training/Management and you advertised for someone - another trainer for example, you'd want someone who had CIPD membership and at least a diploma in personnel/training. These take a year or more to get and cost a few thousand quid for college fees/training courses and so on.
You'd maybe get 15 candidates with the right amount of skills and qualifications. You'd probably only find that a handfull of those could do the work you wanted them to do.
There are fewer people chasing those jobs.
The skill gap is different too. An SPA can do the job. There isn't a lot of difference between those who hold the qualification.
Get a trainer in management and the skill level can vary enormously along with the aptitude. You may well find they've specialist training in other backgrounds too.
If you're talking about a UIAA qualified guide you're talking similiar breadth and depth of skills, which is probably why you'd have to pay (or expect to earn) similiar amounts of money to be one or hire one.
Post edited at 12:11