Arbtalk.co.uk | Discussion Forum for Arborists

Considering doing it some time soon. Who's done it? Would you recommend it or not?

My nearest centre would be Westonbirt; great place to spend a day a week. I'm just waying up the cost of losing one day per weeks wages. Ouch!

id love to do it, im waiting for them to do an online version as i cant afford the time off myself either

Cool, did you start a new category for this?!

I think that you can do it by distance learning now Steve - have a look on the treelife training site. I think they call it Treemail - they send you all the info by post. Although the day off will hurt the pocket, I would prefer to do it on-site if possible. I find the discipline of self-study at home very difficult. Especially with all these forums to distract me!!

aha, been meaning to, you just gave me the excuse

I'm doing it at the moment, it's damned hard, I somehow passed the first 3 written exams, but got a day of oral exams in September that I'm dreading. Compared to the RFS cert, it's much harder, and strongly geared towards the new BS5837 and legislation and guidance notes and APNs and all sorts of other things I should know more about. I think it's pretty hard and strongly geared for tree officer types to get formally recognised qualifications.
If anyone's got any tips for the on-site exams, they'd be much appreciated!

I've got the application forms but can't decide for sure whether to enrol for this year or not. I want to do the course and increase my knowledge, but it's alot of money to spend off my own back if it doesn't necessarily equate to better money when I've got it!

I don't really want to be a tree officer for a local authority and I've heard some say that the tech cert is quite geared towards this. However it also seems like the best step up in terms of knowledge from my NC. Any thoughts?

I know that Myerscough College are also doing the AA cert. online:-

www.myerscough.ac.uk

I'm thinking of taking it on once I've completed my RFS. But looking at the syllabus - is it just an expansion of the units covered at Level II??

cheers

darrenm

Hi MisterTee

I wouldn't say the Tech Cert is wholly geared to tree officers. According to the syllabus it's geared to:

• The individual who has been involved in the practical side of the industry and who wishes to progress into a more managerial role.

• Individuals working in related disciplines such as horticulture, forestry,
  countryside management, landscape architecture and planning.

• The award also gives the opportunity for Tree Officers, technicians and those involved in tree survey work to achieve a recognised vocational qualification.

almost making it sound like tree officers is an afterthought.

I guess the question is can you see yourself anywhere in that list? It's certainly a very well respected qualification. If you're considering doing it at Westonbirt I guess you're looking at Treelife? Why not give them a ring and chat to them about whether it's right for you? Yes, I know they're trying to sell you something, but they're also very experienced educationalists who understand well that some qualifications suit some folk better than others. I'm sure they'd have some good advice.

Cool, thanks darrenm and Frimsley. I think I am going to go ahead and do it at Westonbirt - what a cool place to do a course. Hoping there will be lots of time wondering about the arboretum.

Started this course on Monday - from what I could tell from the first session it is going to be a great course. Got a pile of books to read - it's going to take a lot of study to pass this - but hey, if it was easy it wouldn't be worth doing!