Moving on from RFS Cert Arb.

[pablo]

Once i've finished the RFS Cert Arb. (not long now) what do you think would be a good way to go? It has to be online/home study due to work. I'd like to do a foundation degree and bypass technicians Cert really but would this be too much...

[Peter]

Personally I think the degree is the better way to go, as it is more widely recognised, especially if you go on and do the bsc top up.

The tech cert is certainly quicker and cheaper, but what do you want it for at the end of the day?

[madm]

I'm thinking along the same lines; just did the exams for the cert and couldn't say if I passed but thinking ahead anyway! Also can only do home/online study. I was thinking the same, that it might be as well to bypass the tech cert, so what then.. I was looking at the online foundation degree in Myerscough but I don't know how much it would cost; it's 3 years and the 1 year tech cert course is £600. I've emailed them to find out but I can't see it being cheap. For that reason I was looking at the RFS Diploma; the HCC sell the course for £300, probably about half that if you only buy the notes. I know it's a bloody big jump from the cert but I would give it a couple or a few years. Only thing is that the course they sell is a HCC Diploma, not the RFS Diploma course exactly. Apparently it used to be, but the RFS changed the syllabus a couple of years back and now the HCC course doesn't match. I don't know how diferent it is; if it's only a few things you could make up the difference yourself, I imagine.

So I'll wait till I get a bit more info but that's what I'd be thinking.... would welcome any better ideas!!

[Peter]

The Myerscough course will cost you around £1000 per year in fees, plus books etc.

[Jack-Arb aka Tiago Sinclair-Julio.]

Once i've finished the RFS Cert Arb. (not long now) what do you think would be a good way to go? It has to be online/home study due to work. I'd like to do a foundation degree and bypass technicians Cert really but would this be too much...

 

Hi pablo,

 

Im more or less with the same dilema as you! Ive done a National Dip. Arb a few years back. It was a great way to get in the industry, I gained some basic understanding of the theory side of things, it made me aware of the legislation and some basic stuff on tree biology! Since then I've worked in several places got the much needed practical experience, now 3 years on and i think its time to do some more studying. I've thought a bit in whats the best way foward, and came to the conclusion that the foundation degree is the best option for me.

 

Firstly because its recognised outside the UK and because I might not want to live all my life in England it makes sense having a qualification like this.

 

Secondly the National Arb Dip, was really quite easy and its enough if you want to work all you're life climbing trees. But if you want to do something a little more intellectually demanding, its not enough.

Now that I know that Arb is what I want do, having the degree makes total sense. I want to do it working at the same time so its gonna take longer cause I'll have to do it part time. I live in London and theres no where inside London that does it, as far as I know! So the closest I found is in Northhampton, its a bit of a bother but I guess it will be worth it.

 

Where about are you? I gather from you're name that you not English, like me! So the recognition thing might be important for you too.

 

Hope you success!!!!

 

Bye,

 

Jack

[pablo]

I was also thinking about the online foundation degree at Myerscough, it seems like a good course from the web-site (but then they would give you that impression..!) my only concern was that i would be biting of a little more than i could chew jumping from a level 2 to a degree. Although having said that i feel confident regarding the RFS cert. and am ok with the amount of time and effort that would be required.

 

I'm thinking about the future and moving on from supervising and managing small teams to consulting so if i take the tech cert route i'd have to move on again. Although i'm ok with studying i don't really relish the thought of having the next 10 years or so mapped out with one qualification after another.

 

i wouldn't mind some feedback from anyone doing/done the on-line foundation from Myerscough, syllabus/workload etc...

[Jamie]

I'm after doing the online degree, might as well add more letters. i've already got an Hons.

part of my future plan, climb while i can then move onto consultancy one day.

 

Jamie