big companies V the little man

[MADarb]

hi, i dont usually post on this forum but i learn alot off here and usually keep my opinions to myself, im currently in my 2nd year at college and finding a work placement is very difficult, ive been told to stay away from the "bigger companies" because they rarely give u the chance to climb or even use a saw, but getting the opportunity to work with any experienced climbers is surely better that nothing?, ive been given a job for a small company and they let me climb on a regular basis but part of me thinks should i be up there or should i be dragging brash and learning from the more experienced people? i would be happy working on the ground and learning and earning the respect to become a climber. or should i jump into the deep end?

[Alasdair]

madarb i dont want to start a riot on here but,

 

why do you think you should be up the tree?

[MADarb]

I dont, i would be happy doing whatever im told to do, but if im asked to climb should i turn around and say no?

[Alasdair]

ah sorry i miss read your first post

 

by all means if your asked to climb be on the first branch before they finish the question.

 

the point i was trying to make and prob got no where near it was start at the bottom and work your way up. unlike what the idea college give you.

 

ive been all over for interviews and they look at my cv and ask where i think i should start and my answer is always dragging brash and feeding the chipper and working my way up.

 

would this be the correct statement to make to employers? or am i going about interviews the wrong way?

[MADarb]

no i completely agree, i would be happy dragging brash all day or making tea aslong as i knew i would be learning and moving closer to my future career.

[penfold]

MesterH, i'm not having a dig here but imo there is no such thing as a fully trained tree surgeon/arborist/whatever as there are always new techniques and methods to learn; i'm sure many would probably say the same thing in whatever industry.

[Alasdair]

would be happy making tea all day as long as they didnt want my sannies as well

 

i would be happy doing that and like you said as long as i was learning and getting paid

[Mesterh]

MesterH, i'm not having a dig here but imo there is no such thing as a fully trained tree surgeon/arborist/whatever as there are always new techniques and methods to learn; i'm sure many would probably say the same thing in whatever industry.

 

Fair enough and no offense taken

True what you say but that can be said for everything we do in life not just work wise, no of us can really be a specialist at anything.

What I was trying to say is that too many people come out of college(and I was one of them) thinking that because they have there certs and some training that they can and should compete with the more experienced climbers and more important think that they should command the same wages.

 

Now I'm not speaking for everyone but I am speaking from my experience and that of others I know and have seen.

 

I think some people need to realise this and looking at Alasdair and MADarb I can see that they do

You two fellas have the right idea imo and no doubt will make good climbers if you stick at it, watch what more experienced climbers do, dont just do what they do either H&S issues maybe? and dont climb just for the sake of it to impress anyone if your not comfortable.

 

Yes I do think that people need to push themselves but only as long as they are comfortable.

[desired_affect]

colleges do give the wrong impression that once your done and left you can walk in as a climber on a very hansom wage.

I worked 2 days a week with a small business doing tree work wile at college for a year and finished college and have just done another year with the same company. every one else that stayed and done the two year course seems to thing there gona wonder out of college on a better wage and straight away as a climber.

Its one thing to get your cs38/39 but you really are still learning along time after wards and should not expect a high rate of pay till you have proved your self.

[dodger]

i dont want to piss anyone off on here but im going to give my opinion and some may take it the wrong way,

 

i think working with big companies they dont really have much concern for safety and what the kits like all they are really interested in is making money winning contracts and managers driving nice big cars and what not plus most of the managers dont have hands on experience and the guys out doing the work get pissed of very quickly due to this fact.

 

the smaller companies have a much higher concern for quality and quantity if they do a crap job they wont get recommended they do a good job they do. as for kit the smaller companies are a few guys so anything that happens is dealt with there and then if poss rather than filling in a **** load of paper work and then it gets lost so what evers broken it sits on a shelf for a year or so. the managers in the smaller companies have experience on the job so they do know what they are talking about and chances are they own the buisness so what thy say goes.

 

i would say from what ive heard smaller companies are better to work for but harder to get into. you need to start from the bottom and work your way up, thats the bottom line.

 

i would like to point out that i know not all companies are like this but from hearsay and what not its the general impression i get.

 

i think that maybe the longest post ive posted on here since joining.

 

 

 

 

 

ive heard few people say that big firms dont really have much concern for safety it so untrue bigger firm that have 4,6, or 12 years contracts or that are going for a contracts that are worth milllions have to spot on with health and safety and have lot more to lose, and some smaller firms havent the cash flow to maintain high standard of health and safety. i work for a large firm and deal with other large firms and 99% of the manager have been on the tool for many years before comeing managers. the real difference is that large firms have a good cash flow so you want for nothing not relying on the next job to pay for iterms.