General Advice for starting out

[dimebag166]

Hi,

I'm new on here and I doubt I'm the first to ask this sort of question but I'm potentially going to retrain for a new career in tree surgery, initially doing it on a part time basis, I'm able to get my current employer to pay the majority of the chainsaw and climbing courses as part of resettlement, I was just wondering if anyone had any top advice or hints or things I should think about, definitely do, or steer clear of?

Thanks

[will.morris]

Hi,

I'm new on here and I doubt I'm the first to ask this sort of question but I'm potentially going to retrain for a new career in tree surgery, initially doing it on a part time basis, I'm able to get my current employer to pay the majority of the chainsaw and climbing courses as part of resettlement, I was just wondering if anyone had any top advice or hints or things I should think about, definitely do, or steer clear of?

Thanks

 

Firstly welcome to the forum, a very welcoming and useful place for new and experienced arborists alike

 

Good attitude, especially if your courses are being paid for you. Put in the effort to really learn the job and don't run before you can walk. Learn your knots and when starting to climbing or using a new climbing system practice low and slow before going up high.

 

Don't be put off when things go wrong, we all have bad days and moments when the boss shouts at you. Take it on the chin and learn from it. Likewise you will have the odd scary moment, focus on the next part of the job and what you have to do, not where you are and push yourself.

 

Ask if your not sure about something and have fun!

[NFG]

Hi

 

Welcome, good luck with your resettlement, Im sure you will get a lot of good advice here.

 

Personally, I would be cautious when considering any 'start up' type loans in your new business & justify any expenditure that you make.

[dimebag166]

Thanks for the advice, really nice to get some positive encouragement.

[Mike Hill]

This industry is at saturation point with newly qualified climbers,I would strongly consider another career in a industry where there is a demand for new people.After getting yourself into a paid position you could do a few days "on the side" with a Treecrew and see if you like it.

 

Sorry to piddle on your Chips,but now is probably the worst time to get into treework in the last 20 years.

[skyhuck]

This industry is at saturation point with newly qualified climbers,I would strongly consider another career in a industry where there is a demand for new people.After getting yourself into a paid position you could do a few days "on the side" with a Treecrew and see if you like it.

 

Sorry to piddle on your Chips,but now is probably the worst time to get into treework in the last 20 years.

 

This is the unfortunate truth.

 

Many established firms are barely surviving at the moment, there is just not enough work for the number of operatives.

[Tom D]

Mike and Huck are right, I would take the IRATA rope access courses instead, there is more demand and much better pay, especially if you have another trade, like engineering.

 

There is loads of work in the oil and windfarm industries...

 

TD Tree & Land Services Ltd.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

This industry is at saturation point...

 

...now is probably the worst time to get into treework in the last 20 years.

 

Second that.

 

Couldn't agree more.

[martwizz]

I would just say that if you are successful in getting work, remember to do things the safe way before the fast way. More experienced guys will do things faster, but in many cases cut corners (top handled saw on the ground with one hand, or freeclimbing for example). This comes with experience and confidence, but is also how accidents happen.

 

Learn to do it the correct and safe way first, and then work on getting quicker. Don't try to learn the quick way first.

 

And remember that if somebody asks you to do something that you are not comfortable doing, be honest, at least ask for help if you dont want to decline. Being a man is one thing, being foolish is another.

 

Never forget what you learn during your assessments, and try to apply them to any new techniques that you see or learn.

 

And have fun

[JimM]

You're in a similar position to a couple of us up north, Dimebag.

I offered myself up for 3 months work experience felling after 30/31. To see if I enjoyed it and also to see if I was physically up to it. Yes to both and I have spent the last year investing in ground operations related kit, vehicle, trailer, saws. All out of present wages.

Climbing kit once I do the climbing, like you, paid from resettlement ELC.

Financially it means that if it all goes Pete Tong I can sell all without worrying about the loan to pay off. It's a safer position to be in than the younger climbers on here who have to look to the banks, especially, as said above, if you're in a saturated area in terms of competition.

There have been a couple of mentions of Irata on here just recently and I have tucked that away in my mind since Aberdeen isn't that far away.

But! The work is great. Puts a smile on my face every day. The fellers and tree surgeons I've met are all great blokes and I cannot wait to get out the mob in a few months time.

Top tips from me are work experience, loads of research and some careful financial planning and investment.

Best of luck!

Where-abouts are you anyway?