MWArb

O.K guys lets take this a step further... Designing a short course for the Industry rather than NPTC... obviously the basic four tickets will need to be included as that's the only legal way of getting them out working in the industry however... what else would you add?? thinking along the lines of the theory.. CODIT, biomechanics, pruning/thinning/reducing, fungi.. also thinking of doing a weeks real work placement with local firm, BUT this will have to include the chance to fell, climb, thin etc rather than just using them as brash rats.. how long?.. NPTC takes a week per ticket (for those that can) however this course could run for say 8 weeks including the work placement etc.. numbers.. this could in theory run in the summer for say 4 - 8 people perhaps (8 using 2 instructors to make sure ratios are legal and instruction isn't diluted by numbers) help me out here people what do you want?

Good to see the job you needed came calling Paul, Riseholme will be glad of a visit once your settled and research is ongoing regarding our school of excellence looking forward to the new work pics

Fitst I've seen snap...guess that'll get replaced on the yearly from now on like the clutch haha

Well said Mr Fox, we're in fact setting up 2 levels of work climb on Friday for your featured group.. set the timed competition across the college for all groups

Ahh the filler.. still leaks a bit, was pondering the fill partner myself. I thought you meant the handle, I find that useful.

I like mine.. maybe the novelty will wear off but for now its alright.

Found this.. thought you guys would like it

So viewing all recent input.. would a short summer course with some theory, the tickets and a few days inside a real firm be more productive than a long course? Funding is always an issue but would you have paid more for more info and a short placement included on course over just the tickets?

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

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!

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.

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:

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.

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.

Ok, for me lets jump back to this.. talking of high point, this has to be one of mine.. I've watched Paul's thread from day one. Back then a lurker not a poster, I was captivated by the sheer drive and enthusiasm this guy had for his work and life in general. I'll not digress but needless to say I'd been hoping to at least meet Paul one day to say hi, perhaps at a show I thought. Fast forward to visit day.. a couple of the students knew who paul was, they and I were quite excited. The rest had little or no idea and this day was a normal climbing day. After watching young Connor on this very thread I knew Paul was made for this, so I decided to set this up to see him work first hand.

Ok this is to bump the thread and get the ideas back in here and not to derail other threads.. that and I've snapped my clutch cable this morning so figure I'll be on here much more later today haha

Hodge, this is it, college gets them because its free, not because they want or love it.. my thread will be bumbed today so as not to detail Pauls too much... His visit needs all the attention as it was a special day for all.

I was going to say something along the lines of, forced to join in, the excitement of waiting for Paul's pics and a good chat about my two favorite subjects, trees and education haha. Kev your very right in what u say however my other thread (which will continue once I've time) is only part of what I'd like to achieve, college plays a slightly different role to lantra nptc etc.. adults who pay are always driven to succeed and do.. we also cater to the 16-18, odd age, some come to try it with little idea on their like direction and take what they will from it, not all are built to be tree surgeons (and yes that comes through after a short while) but there are other paths.... some go into landscape, ecology, nursery stock, woodland management etc etc its I diverse course. I've two who are using the credits to go onto lvl 4, 5 and 6 in other subjects... I'll leave you all with that thought and hope you'll bring any further ideas and comments to my thread once I'm back on it. Now to work... And hopefully a working phone so I can start talking through Paul's amazing visit

I did Kevin.. my phone is playing up..I'll let Paul finish and then reply to you and then add my part to the day

I was aiming on watching this story unfold before entering but both time and Kevin's insightful comment forced

Was an absolute pleasure to have you in today Paul.. Weather was great and man can this guy get them moving. I've not witnessed your skills as an arborist first hand but they are well documented these days.. what I have seen, is the way you interact with people and them with you. You certainly have a natural flair for getting the best of students and your infectious attitude towards what we do both in Arb and Education is flawless mate. Looking forward to a reccy climb at some point soon and I can't wait to get the go ahead for the pics from today, Arbtalk land will love it. :thumbup:

That'll be Martyn with a y Gonna have to work on that spelling Paul :p;)

Spell check and shameless advert update ... Riseholme College, very much part of Bishop Burton College looks like the weather will actually be kind to us tomorrow Paul.. though it doesn't sound like it here at the moment haha

Money may be the unavoidable truth for us all but wealth comes in many forms

Very much looking forward having you in for the day Paul