Building up experience and when does it become enough to class yourself as experience

[ChrisG]

Just be good to get some peoples points of view on this.

 

Having completed upto 39 and a few other tickets such as chipper PA 1&6, amongst other certs I feel I have gained a lot of ground experience over 5 years, but being new to climbing, I was wondering how other people have got on building up experience and how they have gone about it?

 

I have done a few jobs freelance and feel they have gone well, but trying to break through into the industry is a challenge! Even offering free labour in exchange for a bit of knowledge I just seem to be hitting brick walls. I have turned doen a lot of work as I don't want to do a bad job but thej I see what some other (so called) Arborists have done and think GOD, I could do a lot better. A few people have said just bite the bullet and get on with it, but wanting to do things properly is my philosophy!

 

I don't expect to get a full time, pro climber job, but there just seems to be a big lack of opportunities out there for people wanting to do things right and learn properly.

 

Sorry for the long post and any views appreciated

[Stubby]

I think you keep on learning all the time , so really you continually gain experience . Its all relative . As you say, if you think you can do a good job you probably can so go for it .

[Le Sanglier]

IMO go and work for a company do the job day in day out, then after a year or so you should be there or thereabouts.

[tuttle]

Climbing, equipment and experience can come in any form.

 

Not restricting yourself to just trees, and learning other skills can give you a better understanding.

 

The act of tree climbing is not cast in stone, and you'll get more from practice than wondering about it.

[TimberCutterDartmoor]

Ladder has 10 rungs. You might get to the third rung after 15 years.

[Old Mill Tree Care]

After 2-3 years as a full time climber you'll be achieving a stage of commercial competence, ability and viability.

 

Just keep going. Have you read the thread 'In desperate times.....'?

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi, I'm assuming you want to climb and to build up expereince in so doing?

 

The aspiration of many to climb is, in part, down to a perception of progress and advancement I would suggest, rather than necessarily wanting to do so (although I acknowledge many, and probably most, do want to.)

 

As such, much is down to chance and what expereince you get with whom and doing what will influence when you are ready to 'go it alone' (not necessarily meaning self-employed here, but many do, but meaning competent and proficient to undertake the full range of aerial tree work operations.) And of course not forgetting the 'YOU' factor, natural ability, aptitude, awareness, speed of learning etc. etc.

 

Hwo long = that "piece of string reference" but anywhere form 2-5 years I would suggest.

 

My original point, i.e. do you want to climb, comes from the proposed production of the 'Professional Skills Framework' for Arb whihc actually offers a 'side by side' progression route for both ground and aerial work separately. That said, I personally, still believe that someone who has climbed to some degree previously, or ongoing, is generally more effective as a grounder.

 

Good luck with everything.

Paul

[WorcsWuss]

That said, I personally, still believe that someone who has climbed to some degree previously, or ongoing, is generally more effective as a grounder.

 

 

And vise versa.... Understanding the operation of the rest of the team will make anyone a better team player, and by extension the team a more effective, and safer, entity....

[Andy Collins]

I can't state a specific time line to the OP, but you just know. When you turn up at a job and just have an idea straight away how it can be done, or alternatives as to how it can be done. When you look at jobs and see the risks to other property instantly, can identify a solution to a problem. It's when you have the ability to do whatever is asked in a calm manner, not throwing your teddy out of the pram cos you're out of your depth. Experience is also about knowing when it's unsafe to work a particular way, or to ask for help on something. Experience is when you get that gut feeling that something isn't quite right about the tree, and you listen to your instincts.

[Grass hopper]

Very well said Andy , could'nt have said it better myself.