In Desperate times...My Silky saves the day!

[geoff]

Haha cheers mate. Been a reader for a while but finally made the plunge and signed up thanks to silky Fox!

 

Your going to fit in here well, it's good to have a few characters, & you will add to the throng!

[MWArb]

I spoke to the group, introduced Paul and asked them all to make a huge effort to take something from the day. Then we headed to the trees..

 

On arriving I asked Paul if I could take a back seat, and watch him working his way... With that he was off.

[MWArb]

Star of the show..This chap (remind me of his name martyn...I had to learn about 20 that day) he didn't think he'd make it to the top....He did it.

 

The Star as you called him Paul was Troy.. Troy very much shows the role of college in our industry.. he joined us simply because his game keeping course elsewhere was canceled.

Now dare I say it, he may well make a great tree surgeon.. especially after Paul's lesson in shifting weight, rope management and most of all overcoming doubt.

[MWArb]

For this moment...when you know they are proud of themselves! Well done Megatron! (the nickname her fellow students gave her)

 

Talking of overcoming doubt.. Paul seems to instantly see where in their development a student is and then has the ability to gently help them through the next barrier within themselves, this is possibly true of a lot of instructors I'm sure (myself included I hope:001_tt2:) but this is about Paul

 

Meg here, is a fine example of that:thumbup:

[MWArb]

It's always great to climb with students..it's good to see them progress up the tree..Their changeovers and show various limb walk techniques and work positioning.

 

This is a part of the job that doesn't often happen .. Demonstrations are easy enough to do. Everyone can watch, but along with the neck ache its often hard to understand the dynamics of a shifted position or how a simple strop and maneuver can change the climb instantly.. these things we normally have to find out for ourselves or have it articulated from the ground simply because with a single instructor there is no chance to climb with one or two when a much larger group needs your time..

 

Paul and I both believe the "shadow climb" element has a big role in helping new climbers visualize solutions to climbing problems and I hope to include this far more in some way in the future... the logistics of it's inclusion I'll leave for later.

[MWArb]

I have many reasons for wanting to get into training but one is to help Martyn create a type of school of excellence....whittle out the cream. There is some great potential out there...I was influenced by some great climbers/arborists/tree surgeons from all around the world and had a couple of great teachers. I want to pass that on. If you remember Connor.Easily the most talented apprentice I have ever helped mould.He has gone from strength and lead climbing within a professional company.

 

This is, I believe the end goal!

Personally I feel that it's fine for students to study for several years gaining skills slowly and learning plenty of theory. It is also fine for those that can, to enroll onto tickets and get the skills to work..

but imo there is a middle.. whether it is in forestry or arboriculture there should be a middle. a place where you can get skills, some knowledge but that also puts you into the world your heading into.. a sneak peak if you like to see those that'll really take to it.

The industry moves very quickly and education (in all forms) can be slow to react.

 

We clearly need a much more direct link to the industries we supply, not just geared towards the courses we could run or just in the local area.

 

I believe Paul's visit could be the start of a change in this.. With hard work and plenty of input maybe we can put an end to story's of college leavers being "useless" and "a waste of time and space".

 

A College of Excellence sounds like a worthy goal and imo achievable!

[MWArb]

Sorry Paul waffled on a bit... Snapped my clutch cable this morning so decided to use my free time with playing with littlen while writing on arbtalk

[silky fox]

Great Posts Martyn. You and I are certainly on the same page! Anytime you need me to return to the college in Whatever capacity get in touch.

[Orchard]

Great Posts Martyn. You and I are certainly on the same page! Anytime you need me to return to the college in Whatever capacity get in touch.

 

 

Hi Paul

Further from what I was saying a few month ago about wanting to improve my game could I pay you for a week of one on one tuition? Your recent activities in your thread have got me thinking?😃😃😃

[silky fox]

Yes Mr Orchard I'd be happy to:001_smile: