Is dragging wood good experience?

[gerry oxford]

I am new to the industry (massive career change) I am currently doing my Tec Cert, I have my NPTC 30 31,but there really is so little work around as a grounds person (north london) I have 6 companies that between them give me 1 day total a week! I am skint!

When I am working i really feel like I am not learning much, there is no time to stop, watch and learn, its all go,go,go!

Do i really need to drag wood to be a tree officer?, does any one have any opinions, or ideas as to what other work I could get that would be more helpful in my career.

[John Shutler]

you dont need to drag brash to be a tree officer, but it will give you an insight into what the world of tree work is like at the practical end...bloody hard, and as a tree officer it might just make you spec realistic work

[Mick Stockbridge]

I am new to the industry (massive career change) I am currently doing my Tec Cert, I have my NPTC 30 31,but there really is so little work around as a grounds person (north london) I have 6 companies that between them give me 1 day total a week! I am skint!

When I am working i really feel like I am not learning much, there is no time to stop, watch and learn, its all go,go,go!

Do i really need to drag wood to be a tree officer?, does any one have any opinions, or ideas as to what other work I could get that would be more helpful in my career.

 

Of course its good to start at the bottom, be a grunt for a while.

[josharb87]

the best T/Os are the ones thats had plenty of hands on industry experiance, the others can be a nightmare!

[Andy Collins]

This, unfortunately, is the first step in your career. Its also unfortunate that the economic downturn has hit all kinds of businesses across the globe. Anyone starting out in this job should drag,rake, chip until their legs and arms ache, character building stuff. What did you expect, to be doing nice pruning work and take-downs to start? You dont have to take this route to be a tree officer, but in time you'll be glad you did. As for time to learn on the tools, that'll come, be patient. Good luck with your new trade.

[John Hancock]

You have along way to go before becoming a tree officer, and you'll need more than just a Tech Cert. Being a Tree Officer is by no means the panicle of an Arbs' career, its just one road you could possibly go down...

[Steve Bullman]

i think in the future you will be shown more respect by tree companies you deal with if they know you have started at the bottom and not just jumped into a cushdy office job

[josharb87]

i think in the future you will be shown more respect by tree companies you deal with if they know you have started at the bottom and not just jumped into a cushdy office job

 

 

Ditto

[Ben]

the best T/Os are the ones thats had plenty of hands on industry experiance, the others can be a nightmare!

 

 

 

 

I have to agree with this, having worked my way up from a Grunt to a T/O over the course of 20 years.

 

A T/O with no experiance can be a real nightmare.

[josharb87]

If you become a tree officer with no real practical knowledge then you'll find that a lot of blokes may not warm to you. Your reputation or professional name may not be as good neither. Everyone as to start somewhere. I was a brash bitch for almost two years even before I took my chainsaw assessment. It's good to have the practical experience under your belt - you'll have knowledge of what a climber is expected to do when you tell him or her to reduce a tree by 15% over a main road in the middle of winter etc.

 

try doing a 5% reduction then! had one 10% and two 15% reductions this week (give or take:001_tongue:)