Mark T

I had 11yrs behind me when I began teaching as well as the Tech Cert, I've been her 3 and a half years now and have never been so utterly stressed out (running my own business was a doddle by comparison). Sleepless nights due to workload are the norm, 65 - 70 hr weeks for no extra money and little recognition pretty standard, more paperwork than you can shake a stick at etc etc... Will I be here for ever? Who knows. The main thing that keeps me from binning it is a responsibility to the students (that, the money, the holidays!!). Yes, you will get abused by 'the system'... but if you don't suck it up and look after the poor buggers - who the hell will? This is becoming some kind of therapy session!

Hi Andy... I assume you're the Andy Clark who works with Chris at Urban? I'm afraid its not as simple as it should be / used to be mate! Lecturers and Instructor / Technicians (I'm going to call them I/Ts 'cos I'm getting arm ache writing it in full!!) are on completely different payscales, lecturers are classed as academic staff and I/Ts are support staff. Lecturer's payscales have recently been 'standardized' upwards slightly and I/Ts have been shifted down and had some add-on's (lecturer uplift etc) removed. I hope that explains things... well spotted though by the way!! Regards to Chris and Reg.

Thanks mate... I've been wanting to visit for quite a while now!

Thanks, thats the one I'd seen... bit light on the old arboreal highlights though.

So how many students from our college have you had? It's important to realise that not all college's are the same. You have some valid points Steve, I share many of your views but we do as much as we can to meet our responsibility. We involve industry as much as we can, all of our worksites are real work sites, in a dept of 8 full time guys we have over 140 years of experience, the vast majority of students go out into industrial posts and their employers are satisfied and supportive of what we do - infact we frequently get employers of past students banging our door down for more of the same! What better reference from industry can you have? I consider our approach to training as being as industrially relevant as possible - none of my learners leave as you describe them, and if they did I'd feel sure that I could rely on local industry to 'put them straight' immediately! When they leave I always make it clear that they are not going to walk right into a top job and that sweat and hard work are essential... all respect has to be earned and bad attitudes are not tolerated.

I'm planning a detour to the Dawyck Botanic Gardens whilst on a biking holiday in Innerleithen this weekend. What are the highlights / must see's? The DBG website doesn't give much away! Any guidance greatfully recieved as time will be at a premium. Cheers

I'm sure everyone would like more money... tell our HR department... no wait, the Learning Skills Council... no wait, tell Gorden Brown. As you work for a LA you must be aware of how policies / funding levels etc are set at a national level. If we could change things here I'm sure we would! All you've got to do is read the papers these days to see that 'efficiencies' are being looked for across the civil service. I appreciate the sentiment guys and totally see where you're coming from. The fact of the matter is that if we wanted to pay staff more (in the education sector) then courses would have to be charged to the student at a higher rate. It's all relative. The benefits I mentioned include becoming an NPTC assessor / LOLER inspector where you can earn £200 a day. Do a couple of days a month and things start to look a little different.

I can't say for sure mate... I don't do the hiring!

I know what you mean but previous Instructor / Technicians have gone on to some really good things, largely as a result of the knowledge, skills and qualifications they've acquired and the contacts they have been able to make whilst working for the college. Other benefits outweigh the low salary for most guys.

The last Technician Instructor we had came with 8 or 9 years experience but we have had guys with only one or two years under their belts. Experince combined with the right mental attitude is key. A level 3 qualification can be achieved in a year (AA Tech Cert), good candidates may be able to get away without a level 3 but should be willing to work towards one.

OK, so don't apply for it then!! This job is about more than pounds and pence, a lot of guys get support to become NPTC assessors / LOLER inspectors / Qualified Teachers etc etc and there may be the possibilty to progress on to become a lecturer. Don't get me wrong, not everyone would be able to afford to work and live for the money being advertised but for those who can... there's more besides.

Due to increased student numbers... Instructor / Technician – Arboriculture & Forestry Sparsholt College Hampshire Salary: £16,528 - £20,290 This is an exciting opportunity to work with our team in the training of arboriculture and forestry students. We have a strong dedication to industry and aim to produce students that are fit for purpose. We have extensive industrial worksites and are well resourced. Responsible for equipment checks, stores and the delivery of practical training to various levels of courses this is diverse and interesting role within the Arboriculture and Forestry Section. The successful candidate will have a minimum of a Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject, strong practical skills and experience in Arboriculture and Forestry, together with excellent communication skills. A flexible approach and a passion for training is also paramount. NPTC certificates in Climbing and aerial rescue use of chainsaw in the canopy and felling up to medium trees is required. Closing date for applications is: 21st August 2009. Interview date 26th August 2009 Application packs are available from: 24 hour recruitment line: 01962 797438 Sparsholt College Hampshire - Home [email protected]

This thread has come just at the right time for me... I just happen to be counting down the days until I have a long weekend smashing the trails of Glentress and Innerleithen so its a good excuse to get the old juices flowing! Picture 1 is of my current freeride bike - Haro Werx 7 - perched at the top of the simply awesome Minch Moor descent. Picture 2 is of the Haro again, this time about to plummet down (mostly out of control!) Caddon Bank. Picture 3 is my current XC ride - Cove Handjob with Pace XCFR forks. Picture 4 is of my dearly departed Proflex Beast at the top of a proper lung buster on the Brechfa red route. Any other fans of the 7 stanes on here, if not... why not?!!!

Well done all... Now for the proper test! The best money you'll ever spend would be on booking yourself a place on treelife's 3 day prep down here at Sparsholt. I honestly don't think I'd have passed without it... absolutely essential in my view, they will fill you in on EXACTLY what you're in for with regards to setup / tasks / questioning / time management / detail required in answers etc etc etc etc! Do it!

We've had a few at college for a while now and all is ship shape... never seen or heard of any problems.

Mouth watering!

Not sure if this is the one but... STIHL & VIKING: Outdoor garden power tools ... in the 'know-how' section.

Employer: Sparsholt College Hampshire (inc Andover Campus) Location: Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire Salary: See Below Contract: Full Time and PermanentLive On Site Until: 3 August 2009 Applications Close: 3 August 2009 Start Date: To be confirmed Job Details £20,640 - £31,764 (depending on qualifications) In this role you will be teaching in Higher Education to Foundation Degree courses and to National Diploma courses at Further Education level. This is a real opportunity to contribute to education and training within the Forestry and Arboricultural industry and thereby improving the standards of tree care and woodland management in the UK. The successful candidate will possess a relevant level 5 qualification (Degree, HND, Foundation Degree or equivalent) in relevant subjects coupled with practical experience a minimum of 2 years post qualification and a recognised teaching qualification or be willing to attain one. The post holder will have a genuine interest in developing education and training and will involve course management and development. Experience within Forestry and Arboriculture will be an advantage, with a flexible and adaptable approach. ICF Professional Membership would be welcome; the successful candidate would be expected to attain this status in due course if not already held. This post will be based at our Winchester (Sparsholt) campus. Sparsholt College Hampshire - Job Opportunities at Sparsholt College Hampshire

Was the Oak in decline at all? It could be Accute Oak Decline (AOD) which is becoming more and more common according to Forest Research who recently held a meeting on the 'outbreak'. "Key symptoms include crown dieback and decline, and many of the effected trees have extensive stem bleedng" - Article in Chartered Forester Summer 09

Whats going on with that staking??? Man alive! Not sure about the request for help... might it lead to overwatering in some areas (just to play devils advocate)? On the flipside, I wonder how effective would it be if Mrs Miggins empties her dishwater onto the already compacted ground without knowing about the irrigation pipe? Perhaps they could a paragraph of instruction combined with a really good mulching regime?

Thats amazing stuff, not sure I'd be stood quite so close to the stems as they goes over though! Is this your job Tim? Are you working with Ben?

Thats great... where is it?

7 TREE CLIMBING SPIKES / FOR SURGEONS/NO ROPE/ on eBay (end time 10-Jul-09 14:58:56 BST)

Hi all, I'm currently about to embark on my journey to becoming a professional member of the Institue of Chartered Foresters. Has anybody else taken this route? Essentially, I've been approved for the PME route and would like to hear from anyone that has put together their 2 year worklog and completed their critical appraisal - or is in the process of doing so... Many thanks

I was really looking forward to seeing Mark B's talk on Friday evening but just couldn't get things put away on the stand in time to get there. Perhaps we could make it a bit later next year? Last years talk was ace!