How does the Technicians Certificate compare to a National Diploma?

[czhey]

Hi

 

I have done a National Diploma, and am thinking about doing the Tech Cert online.

 

Is the Tech cert very challenging compared to the ND?

 

 

Thanks

Charlie.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Charlie,

 

I haven't done the ND so perhaps not the best reply but I can confirm the Tech Cert is quite challenging as I did that one!

 

I guess the context(?) of the quals is quite different in that (possibly) the ND delivered in an college etc. approaches the subject from an acedemic / ideal perspective where perhaps the TC comes more from an applied one...dunno!

 

Interested to hear what others say.

 

Good luck if you go for it..!

Paul

[monkeypuzzle22]

Hi,

 

I studied the ND Arb at Merrist Wood and was told by many of those on and running the Tech Cert that it is a course designed for those in the industry who require/would like a formal qualification yet are in employment/have their own companies etc.

 

Both courses are the same level (level 3) and pretty much cover the same topics. The Tech Cert is one day a week and requires outside/private study and the ND is college based, full-time.

 

If you have the ND i wouldn't recommend the Tech Cert, go for a Level 5 course e.g. the Foundation Degree.

 

Hope this helps...

 

Callum

[Paul Barton]

The Tech Cert is currently being re-written, and as from Autumn 2011 will be a level 4 qualification.

 

I think you will also be able to choose to extend it to a Diploma as well. I would recommend contacting Keely at Treelife for more details. They are excellent trainers from my experience.

[janey]

Having done both the ND and the Tech Cert, albeit many long years ago, the two course are completely different beasties.

 

Briefly, the ND is more geared towards those who want to be "on the tools" and will give you good practical experience, your basic tickets and and an underlying understanding of the science behind the whats and the whys of the work that you are doing. It is a full, or nearly full time college based course and the study is split between practical and theorhetical.

 

The Tech Cert is aimed at those who want to be in a more managerial position and is entirely theory based. The practical part of the exam is several management exercises, so there is no actual hands on tree surgery involved. It is a part time course either college based or home tuition. But don't be fooled by this - the amount of learning you will have to do exceeds that of the ND from my experience.

 

Both courses have their merits and it all depends on what you want to achieve and where you see you career heading as to which one is more suitable for your requirements.

[elicokiz]

With the new QCF framework in place as far as i'm aware the National Diploma is now known as the extended diploma in arboriculture and is going to be quite a different beast with a large chunk including work experience in the field....sorry i meen the tree?

[czhey]

Thanks for all the replies

 

Monkey puzzle - I think the degree is a bit far for me via distance learning, I imagine it takes several years of study. Wish i had gone for it when i was a bit younger!

 

Paul barton - do you know how it is changing? is it getting more difficult or just being bumped up to a level 4? being able to extend it sounds good!

I will contact treelife- they have a centre near me but appears they are full for this year.

 

janey- thanks, i've done the ND, and didn't find the theory side particularly challenging- do you think the Tech Cert is a worthwhile 'upgrade'?

 

elicokiz - i wasn't aware the ND had changed. I did have to do work experience for mine- about 6 weeks i think.

 

 

 

Thanks

Charlie.

[janey]

 

janey- thanks, i've done the ND, and didn't find the theory side particularly challenging- do you think the Tech Cert is a worthwhile 'upgrade'?

 

 

I have to agree with you on that. The botany, P&D etc modules are designed to give you a basic understanding and don't go into anything at any great depth. The Tech Cert doesn't really cover things like botany as it assumes that you already have that knowledge and relies on you having that already covered. I personally think it is a good "next step" from the ND both educationally and professionally. Even if you intend to remain working as an arborist, it will give you a much better understanding of the legislation on so on behind what you do and will give you the opportunity to progress to a more office based position.

 

If you already have the ND and want to continue with your education then there is really only the Tech Cert before either going for the Prof Dip or a degree.

[czhey]

I have to agree with you on that. The botany, P&D etc modules are designed to give you a basic understanding and don't go into anything at any great depth. The Tech Cert doesn't really cover things like botany as it assumes that you already have that knowledge and relies on you having that already covered. I personally think it is a good "next step" from the ND both educationally and professionally. Even if you intend to remain working as an arborist, it will give you a much better understanding of the legislation on so on behind what you do and will give you the opportunity to progress to a more office based position.

 

If you already have the ND and want to continue with your education then there is really only the Tech Cert before either going for the Prof Dip or a degree.

 

Thanks

Sounds like the course for me.

Think i'll give myself a year off education and start it with the new 'level 4' status next year!

 

 

 

 

Thanks

Charlie.

[janey]

Thanks

Sounds like the course for me.

Think i'll give myself a year off education and start it with the new 'level 4' status next year!

 

 

 

 

Thanks

Charlie.

 

Good luck with it when you decide to enrol. It may be a year of study, but because it's usually only one half day at college a week (unless you go for home learning) it doesn't really interrupt your life too badly. From experience, if you want to do any LA TO work, this is generally the qualification that is most sought after.