ways in to climbing?

[huskyboy26]

Okay, so after much consideration Ive decided climbing is the way to go rather than foresty, so, anyone got any ideas about the best way to get into climbing? Im at college now doing nc forestry and Im considering going back next year to do my hnc arb, any thoughts? Or should I just get out there and get the experience (looking from an employers point of view aswell, are they more likely to take on someone whose been to college or someone with some experience)? Cheers for any input guys, much appreciated

 

Huskyboy26

[Tom2020]

To answer your 2 questions do a course and get the experience as well, You will be very very lucky if you do your course and some one gives you a climbing job right away. You need to be the top man on the ground before you even leave the ground. You will cost any company money as you will be slow and not really have a clue what to do in the tree so jobs will take longer, Dont let that stop you tho ive been on the ground for 3 years and only started climbing for the last 2years and its hard work. You need to be able to do everything on the ground that you can in the air. Know everyones role on the ground better then they do Who ever is in the tree is the boss even if the boss is on the ground having a cuppa tea. The more experience and quicker the climb the more money and work they can bring in to the boss. experience and quals are key to being a top climber

[Littletree]

Hi there it's a hard one and every one of us that climbs has to start at the bottom .everyone starts of as a groundy for a company it gives you the time to learn your role and get good using the saws and equipment and helping the climbers and also seeing what the climbers actuall do and how they work within the tree , it's invaluable worth as much as gold , at the time you won't think so but it's only much later when you look back you will realise this .

All the things you see the climbers doing will leave invaluable imprints in your mind you will see it day after day and later when you start to climb and cut you will have a basic frame work all ready there to help you .

 

Every new climber is slow and it will take time to get to become a good climber .it's a long road but worth every bit of all your graft in the early stages

Try and get in with a company as a groundy if you do well and work hard they will get you started climbing and it all goes on and on from there .

 

If you have a new driving licence it will help you in a big way to get into a company if you get your B+E cat so you can tow and drive the bigger stuff as companies struggles to get drivers as a lot of the workforce are under 25

 

Good luck and all the best, go for it's well well worth it in the long run .

 

Ps a thick skin is a must:thumbup:

[MasonW]

Hey Mate,

 

There are two main ways to go in NZ... you can either go through a Tertiary Institute and do your qualification ,Three days in the classroom and Two on job. Fully Qualified in roughly two years, with a student loan of approximately 8-10 grand.

 

OR

 

Work for a big company that offers apprenticeships and work full time, taking days off to do day classes and on job assessments. Three to Four years to complete with no student loan.

 

As previously stated, you need to OWN the groundsmans duties before you can even look at a harness..

 

All Great climbers are Great Groundies

[Arran Turner]

Hi there it's a hard one and every one of us that climbs has to start at the bottom .everyone starts of as a groundy for a company it gives you the time to learn your role and get good using the saws and equipment and helping the climbers and also seeing what the climbers actuall do and how they work within the tree , it's invaluable worth as much as gold , at the time you won't think so but it's only much later when you look back you will realise this .

All the things you see the climbers doing will leave invaluable imprints in your mind you will see it day after day and later when you start to climb and cut you will have a basic frame work all ready there to help you .

 

Every new climber is slow and it will take time to get to become a good climber .it's a long road but worth every bit of all your graft in the early stages

Try and get in with a company as a groundy if you do well and work hard they will get you started climbing and it all goes on and on from there .

 

If you have a new driving licence it will help you in a big way to get into a company if you get your B+E cat so you can tow and drive the bigger stuff as companies struggles to get drivers as a lot of the workforce are under 25

 

Good luck and all the best, go for it's well well worth it in the long run .

 

Ps a thick skin is a must:thumbup:

 

Well said, I enjoyed reading that, makes sense as im aswell about to jump from college to becoming a groundy in a few months