First arb job for a career changer?

[Acer Forestry]

Mr Ed - you guys are going to see a lot more baffling posts like this if what I see and hear in Kent is anything to go by? Local HPTC chainsaw and arborist trainers / testers are flat out (Recession??) and maybe because a lot of mature males are realizing that staring at a PC screen or factory walls all week ain't living, and being out in natural surroundings is...I'm 39 and also looking for groundie work, I hacked it for 3 months in Sydney, and I'd still do it now rather than earn 40k in an office, any day.

[Mr Ed]

Mr Ed - you guys are going to see a lot more baffling posts like this if what I see and hear in Kent is anything to go by? Local HPTC chainsaw and arborist trainers / testers are flat out (Recession??) and maybe because a lot of mature males are realizing that staring at a PC screen or factory walls all week ain't living, and being out in natural surroundings is...I'm 39 and also looking for groundie work, I hacked it for 3 months in Sydney, and I'd still do it now rather than earn 40k in an office, any day.

 

Sorry, My post came a little harsh. What I meant by was this -

This is an industry that is based mostly on disposable income, and is going to see a very rapid shrinkage. Its poorly paid, dangerous and needs a high level of both financial and time investment before you can be 'employable'.

Why anybody would pin their hopes on a job in it, I really cant tell.

I see it a bit like someone training to be a coal miner in the '80's

[bill]

Sorry, My post came a little harsh. What I meant by was this -

This is an industry that is based mostly on disposable income, and is going to see a very rapid shrinkage. Its poorly paid, dangerous and needs a high level of both financial and time investment before you can be 'employable'.

Why anybody would pin their hopes on a job in it, I really cant tell.

I see it a bit like someone training to be a coal miner in the '80's

 

full of festive cheer ed

[Khriss]

Yus Ed ! My- when ' I ' am the sweet voice of sanity n reason on here- we should be worried !

 

:scared1:K:scared1:

[nailer]

Why would anybody want to get into this industry anyway?

 

Because its hard physical work, outside and dangerous. Its great fun. You rarely work at the same place two days running. Customers are sound. If they`re not, you won`t see them anyway for at least 3 years. You can choose who you work for and with. Sometimes it gets a bit noisy, but other than that it`s ace.

[Andy Collins]

I have to agree with Eds sentiments, where are all the newly qualified arbs going to work? Of course, the colleges and trainers will keep churning em out, they have to earn a living training and assessing, so long as there is demand from students, they'll teach them, but what percentage are leaving and getting regular work? The best chance you have is to go into Utility Arb either line clearance or track-side, anfd if you can hack that for a few years, then the domestic sector may pick up again.

[Mr Ed]

Because its hard physical work, outside and dangerous. Its great fun. You rarely work at the same place two days running. Customers are sound. If they`re not, you won`t see them anyway for at least 3 years. You can choose who you work for and with. Sometimes it gets a bit noisy, but other than that it`s ace.

 

yeeers... but apart from that?

 

Thing is Nick, you or I could walk into nearly any Arb job tomorrow on the basis of our experience, ability and knowledge.

When you start out, you have none of those.

[nailer]

Ed, you`re right, starting from scratch again does not appeal. But I remember precisely the moment I knew the tree game was for me. A council tree climber was up a street tree in Old Trafford and I was thinking bloody hell that looks fun. Then I thought I could never do that, its just too dangerous. Ten seconds later: well if he`s doing it as a job it must be possible. It involves hard graft, trial and error and good fortune but if the desire is there it can be done. By anyone. At any time.

[Big dog]

I used to think that i knew alot of what was going on, but then every couple of years i'd stop and think about what i used to be like and think "christ, i really did know sweet f.a!" The pursuit of experience is a never ending road, why you'd want to start at 40ish is beyond me i must admit.

[Jason James Gairn]

why you'd want to start at 40ish is beyond me i must admit.

 

Has Paradise mentioned his age? Did I miss it?