First arb job for a career changer?

[paradise]

Thought I'd try asking for advice here. I'm doing a course at the moment in an attempt to change to arboriculture - I used to be an office slave and couldn't stand it any more.

 

I'm not particularly thinking of becoming a tree surgeon (tree officer jobs are my likely goal) but was thinking of getting a job on a tree gang to get some experience, just as a groundie. However I've been informed that most people don't usually consider career changers who haven't done manual labour before for manual labour jobs. Is this a fair assessment do you think? I accept that, having spent the last ten years doing office work, I'm an effette weakling, but if I'm happy to hump branches around all day it seems a shame if no-one wants to let me. If I have the relevant tickets, what do you reckon the chances are of finding a groundie job?

 

I've also wondered about inspection/surveying jobs - but every job I see advertised asks for experience. I can get LANTRA certificates easily enough but experience is harder to come by when everyone wants experience....

 

Any thoughts? Is it just a matter of finding someone prepared to take a risk with a newbie? And will that take a while? Or do you know of any routes that would bypass this sticky lack-of-experience situation?

 

I live in London btw

 

cheers

[Mick Stockbridge]

All the will in the world wont help you hump wood all day. It,s built over years of graft. If youre young enough you might build up to it.

[Jason James Gairn]

It can be a monotonous tough job at times. Professional brush rats have a particular mindset shall we say. In all weathers too. If you know what your letting yourself in for, and you still want to do it, then good luck. Start by applying to local companies and if they knock you back ask em what you should do to increase your chances. They may give you a tryout. In which case if your up to it, you'll be on your way. I wish you the best of luck. I'm not sure why anyone would want to be groundie, but then I wouldn't want to be a tree officer either.

[bill]

Any thoughts? Is it just a matter of finding someone prepared to take a risk with a newbie?

 

 

yep, be postive and things will happen. get your tickets and try and get in with a good company.

[Jason James Gairn]

All the will in the world wont help you hump wood all day. It,s built over years of graft. If youre young enough you might build up to it.

 

indeed I agree. How old are you `Paradise'?

[Jason James Gairn]

Oh and if you haven't already, read lots of similar posts on this forum.

[bill]

indeed I agree. How old are you `Paradise'?

 

why does that matter? my groundie is 57 and he doesnt stop all day long. this is ageist.

[Jason James Gairn]

All the will in the world wont help you hump wood all day. It,s built over years of graft. If youre young enough you might build up to it.

 

I was and still am responding to this very precise comment about Paradise starting his career from an office background. There's no such thing as ageist in an indusry as physical as ours. I don't notice many 57 year olds starting acareer in football or mountaineering. I'm super happy your own groundie meets your expectations. He may well be an exception to the gradual physical decline of the human body.

[Jason James Gairn]

why does that matter? my groundie is 57 and he doesnt stop all day long. this is ageist.

 

nice avatar by the way

[bill]

my groundie is a one off for sure, but people shouldnt be put off cuz of age. ive had plenty of young groundies who were more interested in their mobile phones then hard work. i find stockers08 remarks a little condersending to be honest, but im not looking for an argument guys