CS Tickets & Work experience - Before or during Diploma?

[MaximusExcelsior]

Hello all,

 

It's Max here and I'm just looking for a bit of advice, I am very new to this industry and I've just been offered a place at Broomfield college in Derby for a national diploma in Forestry & Arboriculture.

 

I have quite itchy feet and I was wondering as to wether I should look for work experience and get my CS tickets before or during my diploma, my course instructor advised me to keep reading up on the subject which I do on a daily basis! I have nothing but a huge, HUGE interest and I would pretty much love to start getting my hands dirty!

 

Just a bit confused like so if anyone could offer any advice I would be very grateful!

 

Cheers guys

 

Max

[son of a birch]

I think you know the answer, just get stuck in! Weekend work, voluntary work, as well as reading and soaking in as much info as you can.

 

It is your CS tickets combined with work experience that will ultimately get you a job, and of course if you can add some academic qulas in to that your on to a winner.

 

I don't know how many hours your course takes up, or whether you have another job or commitments, but if you have the time and the inclination, hands on experience can only help you.

 

There is a lot of competition out there and a lot of people in the same position as you... make yourself stand out!

 

Good luck!

[MaximusExcelsior]

Caught me out there! Yeah I thought that was the case! i'll start calling around at the weekend then looking for work experience!

 

The course will be three days a week starting in September! the rest of the time i will be working but i'll probably have weekends free.

 

Should I do my CS tickets even though I dont have any experience though?

 

Cheers for the advice, i really appreciate it.

[son of a birch]

I would say get a bit of a "taster" before shelling out for the tickets, but considering you are enrolled on an arb course, you must be quite sure that this is what you want to do, so i'd just go ahead and get the tickets.

[MaximusExcelsior]

It's pretty much all im doing when im not at work, I'm currently reading 'the arboriculturalists companion' by NDG James and i have just ordered 'Trees: Their Use, Management, Cultivation and Biology by Bob Watson! Just cant wait to get straight in!

[Arran Turner]

It's pretty much all im doing when im not at work, I'm currently reading 'the arboriculturalists companion' by NDG James and i have just ordered 'Trees: Their Use, Management, Cultivation and Biology by Bob Watson! Just cant wait to get straight in!

 

The bob watson book will really click as you rattle through your course.

Just keep up to date with your coursework and it will be fine during college time, just got to make sure you catch up on the work. I did all mine during my hort course. Before your course is as good, just read through the nptc assessment schedule. Memorise the " demonstrate knowledge questions"

 

Arran

[Christopher Schroeter]

Careful not to fork out for CS tickets because they may be taught as part of the course then you would have spent a lot of money for nowt. Speak to the college and ask them first.

[MaximusExcelsior]

Hi Christopher, i asked them and they said that the cs courses are separate, the course tutor is a cs assessor and re-assured me they would pack me full of knowledge for my cs courses but i have to fund them myself.

[MaximusExcelsior]

The bob watson book will really click as you rattle through your course.

Just keep up to date with your coursework and it will be fine during college time, just got to make sure you catch up on the work. I did all mine during my hort course. Before your course is as good, just read through the nptc assessment schedule. Memorise the " demonstrate knowledge questions"

 

Arran

 

cheers Arran i'll do that!