advice for the (mature) beginner

[fowler]

Hi everyone - I'm hoping to start getting myself qualified in a couple of months time (CS30/31/38/39, plus Brushwood Chipper and MEWP Operations qualifications), and would be grateful for views from the forum about whether these should be sufficient to make me employable.

 

Oh, one other thing - I'll be 36 when I (hopefully) qualify. I get the impression this makes me ancient in climber terms, and while I'm not about to be put off by what other people think, I'd be interested to know how many people think I might just be wasting my time.

 

Cheers

 

Fowler

[Jason James Gairn]

If your as fit as a fiddle, start at any age. My body is a wreak because of the life it's had, not because I'm in my 40s. Those qualifications sound like a good start. I hope you dont get any age prejudice from potential employers. Go for it.

[Mr Ed]

Get yurself a HGV licence and there'll be endless job offers...

[fowler]

Nice one Jason, exactly what I wanted to hear. And nice t-shirt, btw

[Jason James Gairn]

Nice one Jason, exactly what I wanted to hear. And nice t-shirt, btw

 

Can you read it? The HGV tip is spot on by the way, we've had to put our 7.5t to one side until 2 of our guys get theirs. The bandit behind it hasn't worked for 2 months!!

[monkeyboy]

:wave: Hi everyone! New to this forum.

I'm in a similar situation to yourself Fowler. 37 years old and just attempting my cs tickets. i had them ten years ago but never put them to use,then found out they had expired!

Anyway;nearly through a one year arb national certificate and will be looking for work shortly. On the plus side the small amount of climbing i have done with people in the trade or with experienced practical teachers has resulted in very good feed back due to my positive and mature approach to the task at hand.

Are you hoping to gain employment with a firm or go it alone? I'm not sure which would be the best approach for a guy my age - can't really afford to drag brash for next couple of years!

[Mr Ed]

For you guys who are just starting out, I would always employ a more mature steady type over young and dumb. both my subbie cutters are in their 40's. There are plenty of young fast climbers out there, sell yourselves on your ability to drive all the trucks, organise jobs, turn up on time, not suffer from beer flu, etc etc.

[Mr Ed]

:wave: Hi everyone! New to this forum.

I'm in a similar situation to yourself Fowler. 37 years old and just attempting my cs tickets. i had them ten years ago but never put them to use,then found out they had expired!

Anyway;nearly through a one year arb national certificate and will be looking for work shortly. On the plus side the small amount of climbing i have done with people in the trade or with experienced practical teachers has resulted in very good feed back due to my positive and mature approach to the task at hand.

Are you hoping to gain employment with a firm or go it alone? I'm not sure which would be the best approach for a guy my age - can't really afford to drag brash for next couple of years!

 

Seriously - this industry is plauged by newly CS'ed guys going out and thinking they'll start their own business. Those couple of years dragging brash for another company will teach you way more about the job than any course ever will.

Trust me on this, go and work for somebody and get the experience.

[Jason James Gairn]

Seriously - this industry is plauged by newly CS'ed guys going out and thinking they'll start their own business. Those couple of years dragging brash for another company will teach you way more about the job than any course ever will.

Trust me on this, go and work for somebody and get the experience.

 

Qualifications are important to get employment, the education behind them is everything, the experience of actually putting it into practce with acompany is essential. Mr Ed is spot on.

[darrenf]

Hi Fowler / All,

I'm 36 & have just done my CS30/31/38/39 & am just about to do a Lantra Chipper course. I'm also contemplating my next move, unfortunately I have a big mortgage etc etc so need to earn reasonable money to cover this. I'm thinking of trying to get some part time (Thurs / Fri) & weekend tree work locally to gain some valuable experience & do some smaller tree work myself for the first half of the week (I realise I'll have to be selective / sensible and not take on anything beyond my capabilites !). Any thoughts ...........