PTI What to do now advice please

[FINCH3178]

Dear Friends, I undertook the PTI course this week at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland. I did my level 3 extended diploma there, completing it in 2014. I did the basic one day inspection course in 2015. Since finishing my diploma I have been doing voluntary work with local council tree officers to try and gain some experience in tree surveys and inspections. I have been unable to obtain a paid position. The PTI assessment did not go well I felt. The theory and fungi part were not too bad, although I didn't answer some of the theory questions as well as I should have. My main difficulty was in the recommendation of works. Not having done this day to day, I found it hard to come up with a concise summary of my findings and what to do about it. I appreciate that perhaps I have attempted this course too soon. I know it has a reputation for having a low pass rate, but all the job adverts I have seen ask for it and I didn't know how else to take things forward which might increase my chance of getting a job.

 

I was wondering if anyone else has failed and then passed the exam and how long they took between the original exam and a retake. Would anyone have any advice for me? The costs of these exams when one is not in a job in the industry is an added pressure. I am wondering if I should just stop throwing good money after bad and give up the whole idea. I am feeling very disillusioned. I am based in the north east and am unlikely to be able to relocate to try and find a position.

 

Thank you

[Kveldssanger]

Trying to find a role in an LA is tough, as LAs cannot unfortunately make jobs out of thin air in this day and age (not that they necessarily ever did). Finding consulting work is also quite tricky I would image, unless you have some experience under your belt. Working as a volunteer for an LA is good, though your scope for learning is limited in such an environment as I'm not sure if an LA can divulge all information relating to works issued, etc. Have a read of BS 3998, perhaps? There's an uncontrolled PDF copy floating around online, if you search.

[daltontrees]

Dear Friends, I undertook the PTI course this week at Kirkley Hall, Ponteland. I did my level 3 extended diploma there, completing it in 2014. I did the basic one day inspection course in 2015. Since finishing my diploma I have been doing voluntary work with local council tree officers to try and gain some experience in tree surveys and inspections. I have been unable to obtain a paid position. The PTI assessment did not go well I felt. The theory and fungi part were not too bad, although I didn't answer some of the theory questions as well as I should have. My main difficulty was in the recommendation of works. Not having done this day to day, I found it hard to come up with a concise summary of my findings and what to do about it. I appreciate that perhaps I have attempted this course too soon. I know it has a reputation for having a low pass rate, but all the job adverts I have seen ask for it and I didn't know how else to take things forward which might increase my chance of getting a job.

 

I was wondering if anyone else has failed and then passed the exam and how long they took between the original exam and a retake. Would anyone have any advice for me? The costs of these exams when one is not in a job in the industry is an added pressure. I am wondering if I should just stop throwing good money after bad and give up the whole idea. I am feeling very disillusioned. I am based in the north east and am unlikely to be able to relocate to try and find a position.

 

Thank you

 

If your difficulty is with recommendations, you really have to get your hands on BS3998 as Kveldssanger suggests. And you've got to understand risk.

 

I am going to send you a private message, have a look out for it

[Kveldssanger]

Perhaps reading Common Sense Risk Management of Trees will help, with regards to understanding risk.

 

Link here.

[daltontrees]

Perhaps reading Common Sense Risk Management of Trees will help, with regards to understanding risk.

 

Link here.

 

Yeah, it's free and it's an unchallenging read. Caution though for the beginner, it is just a little too biased towards trees, the inspector should be thoroughly and obsessively objective. And NTSG is mainly directed at landowners and society, not at inspectors. I doubt if it will ever live up to its stated aim of providing a benchmark that the courts can consider as identifiable in negligence cases.