Service Leavers joining the Industry.

[RWFSoldier]

Afternoon Troops, I'm leaving the Army next year and would like to return to the Arb/Forestry industry. I've got a City & Guilds in Forestry Management and worked for two years as a forestry contractor in my native North Wales after leaving Agricultural College, I'm also a Lantra qualified Tree Surveyor(Basic) with a pre 97 driving licence. I can do all the courses through the Army to get my tickets back and would like to work as a Groundie in Kent, I'm still fit and strong with only three days off sick in 19 years. I'm willing to do unpaid work whilst I'm still serving for the experience etc. So, what do you think? Is there any room for an old soldier who just wants to be able to throw the windows open every morning, smell the pine and sing, sing, sing, I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK I sleep all................See I'm off already!

[jimmyjnr]

Mate been in ur situation 22yr done then retrained at kingswood try centre in Kent got all tickets done some work with kings wood tree surgeons then headed back to Scotland where I have been running on my own now for three years, so to answer your question yip plenty of scope but ditch the lumberjack song.lol good luck

[martwizz]

excellent first post, you sound already sound like an asset to anybody who wants to take you on good luck!

[will.morris]

This is my chainsaw. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My chainsaw is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I master my life. My chainsaw, without me, is useless. Without my chainsaw, I am useless. I must cut with my chainsaw true. I must cut straighter than any enemy who is trying to compete with me. I must cut his trees before he cuts mine. I will... My chainsaw and myself know that what counts in this war is not the limbs we cut, the noise of our MS200, nor the smoke we make. We know that it is the hits that count. We will hit... My chainsaw is human, even as I, because it is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weakness, its strength, its parts, its accessories, its sight guides and its kickback. I will keep my chainsaw clean and ready, even as I am clean and ready. We will become part of each other. We will.... Before God I swear this creed. My chainsaw and myself are the defenders of my country. We are the masters of our enemy. We are the saviors of my life. So be it, until victory is America's and there is no enemy, but Peace.

[JimM]

I'm on my final leave/terminal leave/resettlement now.

 

About to go to TKF Training to do the climbing/chipper training. They're approved on the ELC list for 30/31/38/39 and have just got approval for the UA tickets too.

 

Best advice is get an ELC in this financial year and if you're leaving post Apr 13 then you can get another ELC too, before you're technically out.

 

Bear in mind that while you are still in the service all the accommodation and food is covered as well. You don't get it afterwards and I think you also get taxed on the ELC.

 

I got great help from the Education Officer at Northwood and again at Lossiemouth. They're great help if you go in with the right questions and help sort the finances for travel etc.

 

I'm also using an SLC for MEWP 3a/3b, and can use travel warrants and accommodation for that too.

 

I went down the road of voluntary work to gain experience last year and it paid dividends in earning a reputation/getting recommendations.

 

Best of luck mate, I'm loving it. And I still sing "I'm a lumberjack...."

 

 

 

 

 

But quietly!

[RWFSoldier]

Many thanks everyone, sorry about the lumberjack song;can't help myself.

SLC and ELC are all jacked up and I've been in touch with Kingswood. There is a very good training provider close to me in Dorking who I've used, very friendly bunch. What sort of wage could I expect, as all the jobs listed don't show a salary? As much as I love the work; I can't live on bread and water, although I'm partial to a crusty brown farm house.

[arbogrunt]

RWF...be prepared to bite the bullet mukka, things are quite rough in the industry at the moment....you'll be earning the same or less than you earnt in the mob, except you'll find yourself paying out for PPE, tools, diesel etc. You can look at it as a future investment however, what you learn now will pay dividends in the future when things pick again...good luck mate!

[Jesse]

Afternoon Troops, I'm leaving the Army next year and would like to return to the Arb/Forestry industry. I've got a City & Guilds in Forestry Management and worked for two years as a forestry contractor in my native North Wales after leaving Agricultural College, I'm also a Lantra qualified Tree Surveyor(Basic) with a pre 97 driving licence. I can do all the courses through the Army to get my tickets back and would like to work as a Groundie in Kent, I'm still fit and strong with only three days off sick in 19 years. I'm willing to do unpaid work whilst I'm still serving for the experience etc. So, what do you think? Is there any room for an old soldier who just wants to be able to throw the windows open every morning, smell the pine and sing, sing, sing, I'm a Lumberjack and I'm OK I sleep all................See I'm off already!

You will go far:thumbup: I used to operate a Milan I loved it pop bang and off it went, I think at that time each pop bang cost the tax payer £24,000.00 Thats a lot of trees, hope you got a nice settlement, have you seen Paint Your Wagon? now thats a great sing along. Just enjoy the rest of you life.

[Mike Hill]

Be a good idea to sit down on afternoon and call ALL the companies in Kent.Gauge the demand for groundies/pay rates applicable with the experiance you will have and make your own mind up.

 

Personally I would take advantage of free training to enter a industry that has a demand for workers.

 

Best of luck with your next step in life!