Advice for a newbie

[Freebird]

Hi all,

Hope I don't come across as too much of a numpty but I'm looking for some advice as to getting involved in tree work.

Not sure if much of this is relevant but a bit of background info about myself. I'm a 22 year old in the St.Helens/Ormskirk area, I spent a couple of years as an apprentice laboratory technician (applied to be a sheet metal worker but the training company thought I'd be better of in a lab due to science A-levels. Escaped after 2 years to to get a 12 month apprenticeship at an outdoor activity centre, loved every minute of it but eventually came to an end and due to the nature of the apprenticeship being used as way to get cheap labour was left unable to progress in the industry due to lack of NGB's. While visiting a while back one of the old hands (been there for years before the present company took the place over from the council, typical fontain of all knowledge) asked if I'd looked into tree work n reckoned I might enjoy it.

 

Since then I've been e-mailing a few places to see if I can drop by n work as a labourer for free for a few days to get a taste for the work, but so far haven't had much luck yet. Been reading around a bit and think that it could it could be my cup of tea, I enjoyed working outside in all weather, enjoyed physical practical work (being an instructor wasn't particularly strenous, but I enjoyed doing site maintainence) and have a decnt head for heights (I climb when I can, mostly indoor or seconding outdoor as I haven't got much gear or technical experience) which may help in the future.

 

Getting to the point I'd be grateful for any advice you can give towards getting a foot in the door in this industry, ideally I'd like to work towards working with woodlands rather than focusing on gardens but any experience is good experience. In regards to courses I'm hoping to do a 16 hour outdoor first aid course in the near future (working towards SPA and ML awards in my own time just to keep options open) would this be valid for Utility arb work in the far far future? As two birds with one stone would be great.

 

Looking at getting the chainsaw maintainence and cross cutting NPTCs but it looks like its going to be a while before I can afford them as currently I'm only working part time retail, do I have any chance of being able to get experience with out them?

Also any suggested books and sites to read to get a basic understanding of the work?

 

Sorry for the wall of text, got many more questions but these are the main ones at present, any help you could give would be great.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

freebird, firstly, this work is great, and often it is the location and the sites that make the work special. While your average day to day will seem a drag, just once in a while youll get exposed to something amazing and youll be reminded why this is truly one of the greatest occupations, it can at times be a drag literaly, at others it feels like getting paid to have a blast!

 

Your location suggests your in america?

 

Have you tried looking at the ISA international society of arboriculture website?

[Freebird]

Sorry Hama my mistake with the location, keep forgetting there's a more well known St.Helens over the water. My location is NW England between Liverpool and Manchester.

Cheers for the tip about the ISA though.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Freebird, welcome to the industry and you'll get as warm a welcome n good advice here as anywhere.

 

Most people, IMO, enter the industry either directly by managing to secure a 'labouring' role and then train up, NPTCs etc., or do the training first then look for a job...not sure whihc approach is best but, ideally, prob the first one as you probably get more opportunity to consolidate your skills BUT NPTCs etc. are v. expensive for the employer.

 

Gotto dash at the mo unfortunately but more than happy to discuss further, and other topics etc., if you wanna give me a call at the office on Monday (tel. 01242 522152 or 01803 845140).

 

Cheers..

Paul

[Frankie Lawrence]

Your going the right way about it by asking for free WE thats how I got in although I was still at school. If or when you do get in with a tree gang andthy offer you work look into an apprentership scheme at your local arb college. Im doing one now and its worth it if your worried about pric to it tkes the edge off that I think when your over 19 its 600-700 and you get cs30/31/38/39 and few more and you get a emergencey first aid.

 

This is my apprenteship and my college so it may be differennt were you are.

 

good luck with it all youve piicked the best industry

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Hi Freebird, welcome to the industry and you'll get as warm a welcome n good advice here as anywhere.

 

Most people, IMO, enter the industry either directly by managing to secure a 'labouring' role and then train up, NPTCs etc., or do the training first then look for a job...not sure whihc approach is best but, ideally, prob the first one as you probably get more opportunity to consolidate your skills BUT NPTCs etc. are v. expensive for the employer.

 

Gotto dash at the mo unfortunately but more than happy to discuss further, and other topics etc., if you wanna give me a call at the office on Monday (tel. 01242 522152 or 01803 845140).

 

Cheers..

Paul

 

Do give paul a call at the Arboricutural association, you couldnt ask for better advice, as well as that youll get in here. I was working in the industry for a decade before i got my NPTC's but things where only just begining to change to the current climate. If your having trouble with financing it, get in touch with a local AA approved contracter, i think Grisswood and Toms still do the Birmingham stuff?

 

I am sure if you explained your circumstances and was prepaired to work hard for a low rate they would contribute to your training for NPTC's and you would gain valuable experiance and insight into the game of LA contracting in the "real world" youll also get lots of MEWP experiance with LA contractors.

 

Once youve got your foot in the door and some hours in, youll be able to start negotiating for a sensible pay rate.

 

i have to say i admire all you young guys coming into this game with such enthusism, the pay standard is low until you have proved your skill and worth to a point that wages get close to being "sensible" for want of a better word!

 

You will be grounding to begin with, and i would say most important is to stay alert, there is nothing more fustrating to a climber than being in an awckward position with a branch to drop only to see the groundie walk right in its drop zone and having to hold it till you suss out whats going on. the climbers will drop you from a gang if your not "switched on" LA contracts are often pressured and this will increase stress factors!

 

The more in tune you are with the climber the more you will become valued, the lead climber is your best ally, get on his side and youll be well on your way, take care of his needs and he will look after yours.

[grumpydavesmith]

Hey Freebird

 

im pretty much in same situation as yourself, i'm leaving the army to pursue a career in the industry, with zero quals and even less experience. luckily the army pays for all my quals before i leave. at least you got youth on your side i'm 34!!!

 

ive also had same trouble as you trying to find some work experience. i find it amazing that they pass up on free labour, and it does get me down especially as im mature and a real grafter. the army trusts me to look after £100 million of state of the art kit, but a company wont let me drag logs!! crazy!!!! anyway dont give up mate i aint!!!

The government have allsorts of schemes for young people so poss worth looking into that in your case!!! I'm too old and earn too much!!!

i have managed to sort a bit of work experience out but not till i got my tickets, i have sent tons of emails , i got it by going down to their office and speaking to their boss, emails get forgotten about and phone calls forgotten mate!!

 

good luck and dont give up!!!!

 

Dave

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hey Freebird

 

im pretty much in same situation as yourself, i'm leaving the army to pursue a career in the industry, with zero quals and even less experience. luckily the army pays for all my quals before i leave. at least you got youth on your side i'm 34!!!

 

ive also had same trouble as you trying to find some work experience. i find it amazing that they pass up on free labour, and it does get me down especially as im mature and a real grafter. the army trusts me to look after £100 million of state of the art kit, but a company wont let me drag logs!! crazy!!!! anyway dont give up mate i aint!!!

The government have allsorts of schemes for young people so poss worth looking into that in your case!!! I'm too old and earn too much!!!

i have managed to sort a bit of work experience out but not till i got my tickets, i have sent tons of emails , i got it by going down to their office and speaking to their boss, emails get forgotten about and phone calls forgotten mate!!

 

good luck and dont give up!!!!

 

Dave

 

Hi Dave, I hope you're very soon 'HAPPYDaveSmith' as it sound slike you've got all the required character attributes to work well in this industry.

 

I'm sure you don't need me to say BUT DON'T GIVE UP and best of luck!

 

Paul

[Freebird]

Sorry for not replying, been away for a few days. Cheers for the offer Paul, it's great to know there such helpful people about, though for the momment I think I'll be ok, just a matter of persistance till the oppurtunity comes along and in the mean time I'll save up for the relevant chain saw training.

 

Nice to know theres someone in the same boat Dave, aye it is daft thatthey aren't taking you up on the offer, espeacially as you have a history with grafting outside with the forces, but then again theres the time and money lost at the start while they explain the job and having to keep an eye on us

Still best of luck and cheers for the advice about calling in on them, have to admitt my telephone manner is pretty poor.

[grumpydavesmith]

hey freebird, i done a bit of research, check out your local colleges, some of them are virtually giving away the tickets especially if ur unemployed or a low earner. plus they have allsorts of grants and the like.