buckeye

Thanks for all the posts, guys - as a newcomer to Arbtalk I have to say this is a brilliant forum. @twistedhicap: that's a good idea to apply for both, I think. Might as well go for the interview and get a better look round the college facilities and speak to the instructors themselves. And if one college doesn't like the look of me maybe I won't have a decision to make! @jammydodger: the Merrist Wood course is currently £1,895 + £415 in assessment fees and equipment costs, while the Plumpton course is around £1,500 (can't recall the exact figure) + similar additional costs. HOWEVER, due to reduced gov support, Merrist Wood told me that course fees might rise from this September onwards, and probably at Plumpton too, I guess @dent & Nick: agreed, I've met a couple of the Plumpton instructors awhile back and they were really top notch folks; it's a big draw @Arborist: I've got the impression more and more colleges are focusing on equine studies to cater to the armies of young women wanting to train horses - I can't see how the equine industry can absorb them all, but good first line of defense if the Mongol hordes ever invade...

Hi, I know there are some other threads on short arb courses but I've got a pretty specific question I was hoping someone could help with.. I'm planning to apply soon for the 9-week Tree Surgery for Craftsmen course at Merrist Wood or the 12-week Tree Surgery Course at Plumpton. They seem pretty similar and include NPTC certs, First Aid, etc. I'm wondering if anyone is familiar with these courses or colleges and could give some sort of advice. Plumpton is slightly cheaper, and I'm guessing an additional 3 weeks could count for a lot. But I've heard Merrist Wood has an excellent reputation (I've heard good things about Plumpton too) and their course is OCN-certified (not sure that really means anything). I know there might not be a better or perfect choice but its a big investment in terms of time and money and I'd appreciate any ideas at all on these or similar courses. Cheers