I'm posting here to offer some good advice to climbers really coming into their own in technical terrain.

"What the **** is SPRAT?"

When most climbers think about the possibility of making a living using their technical skills, typically you think of getting into guiding or maybe try going at the pro-sponsored level. But realistically, how many people though are really at that level and can maintain it as a profession?

The simple fact of the matter is that while climbing is a kick-ass vocation -- it don't pay very well for the vast majority involved.


Rope access is another avenue to think about and also earn a living using your talent. Also to mention, get other perspectives on safe rigging tactics within the industrial sector. These are specialized skills that can carry on through from laborer to engineer/scientist as a career.

Here is a website about what SPRAT is:

www.sprat.org/

Some incredibly talented climbers have taken this route and Colorado now has a fabulous resource with the new VRS facilities at PMI in Denver.

It's certainly worth thinking about.


& No, I don't work for these organizations involved with putting together these programs.

Though, yes, most days I'd rather be climbing.

A bit misleading title. More like "Pay for training. Then, maybe get a job."

Most "climbing bums" that need a job don't $1200 to pay for training in hopes of maybe being able to find a job. But, sounds like if you landed a job, it might be an alright gig.

No intention to misled people with the heading. Sorry about that. I've renamed the heading to reflect the item more accurately.

Thanks John for addressing that. Much appreciated.
As Mark stated in his post, there aren't a whole lot of jobs in the world out there that allow climbers to use their skills and get paid for them. Rope access is one of those gigs. No, the training does not guarantee a job in rope access. But it is a good place to start. Yes, it costs money to take the class, but we've tried our best to make it as affordable as possible.
Sorry for the misleading header at the start of the post.
Be safe!

I agree with the previous posts. I am SPRAT and IRATA level 1. It takes more than climbing ability to make a living at it. If you train through ropeworks, you can take both tests at once. IRATA seems to be a much bigger and more well know org.

Thanks for the topic, fellas.
I am Level I certified tech and use my RA skills for rigging work, though not very often. I would be interested to know if any of you have advice on finding these jobs - an industry specific db like craigs list, if such a thing exist. I've just recently heard about the turbine gig, that sounds pretty sweet. I am doing my own searches, but if you guys have anything specific, I'd sure appreciate it.

Thanks.