Level 2 certificate in arboriculture (abc or rfs)

[Littlearb]

Hi all,

 

I'm due to start my CS30,31 Soon and was looking into other courses to complement the practical side of it.

 

I've seen the level 2 certificate which looks very interesting and will give me a fair amount of knowledge understanding how things work and so on.

 

There are 2 options i have found,

 

1 home study (ABC)

2 College study at duchy college here in cornwall (RFS)

 

Just really wanted any opinions and advice to which course to take?

 

Thanks for taking the time to read

[Jack Gooding]

I'm also thinking about doing a level 2 certificate, and have read a number of threads on the forum about this; opinion seems divided on which is best.

 

Jack

[Alinicoll]

If you have the chance, do it at collodge. Correspondance is ok but nothing beats being taught.

[Littlearb]

I was thinking that especially with the little ones running about and drawing in all my course work!

[John Hancock]

I’ve done the two and my advice would be to do the RFS Cert Arb, then when you know the exam dates book yourself on the ISA Cet Arb exam. If you pass the RFS, you’ll pass the ISA and you’ll have two qualifications.

 

The RFS is a good, well recognised qualification and when combined with the practical elements, makes for a well rounded, knowledgeable Arborist.

[Littlearb]

Thanks peeps for your replies, think i'll go the college route as i can ask the tutor and other students for advice if i get stuck on certain points of the course

 

[Jack Gooding]

I'm sure a call to the college(s) would answer the question, but better to ask you very knowledgable chaps...

 

I assume with the college route, you'd need to start at the beginning of the academic year (or play catch-up), but is this the same for home-study/distance learning? Or can you just start whenever and just have a time limit to finish it all by?

[Alinicoll]

hcc send the stuff the next day.

[Littlearb]

The self study type you can start whenever you like and the college route started in september i have my name on list and would have to play catch up. College is once a week so hopefully some one will drop out. Lynher training here in cornwall do a similar course with just the basics and certificate of attendance which i was thinking of taking aswell to help me with the Rfs

[Topper]

Remember that the r.f.s. is THEORY qualification, a very good one but you will do no practical work during the course at college, you need to top it up with extra c.s. and n.p.t.c. units to achieve the full award.