Kedi100

Hi Chris

Thanks very much for your positive feedback. Your advice is much appreciated and I shall certainly take it onboard. Just need January to hurry up now so I can get training but at least it gives me time to research some more and gain as much info as possible.

Cheers

Kev

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Hi Chris

Thanks very much for your positive feedback. Your advice is much appreciated and I shall certainly take it onboard. Just need January to hurry up now so I can get training but at least it gives me time to research some more and gain as much info as possible.

Cheers

Kev

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Hi Chris

Thanks very much for your positive feedback. Your advice is much appreciated and I shall certainly take it onboard. Just need January to hurry up now so I can get training but at least it gives me time to research some more and gain as much info as possible.

Cheers

Kev

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I took the Otley 10 week course in Spring/Summer 2011 as a career change (having worked in construction management for 5 years after my degree). I’d never even picked a chainsaw up, but I went for it anyway. I enjoyed the course a lot, good environment, good tutors, but the learning curve is near vertical when you get out in to the real world, tough but great fun, I love my job and I’ve not looked back once.

 

I've been working as a freelance groundie/climber for a year now, not always as busy as I'd like to be but I was expecting that as a newbie and its a competitive market after all. So far I'm doing OK, a combination of lucky breaks in terms of opportunities opening up and then hard work to try and keep these opportunities open for myself.

 

I've also worked for a guy I studied with and for a guy from the batch of 10 weekers that that preceded mine so people are making it work.

 

I funded my own training and bought all my own kit, a big financial investment, but what better to spend your money on than trying to secure a living for yourself?

 

Just be realistic with yourself, it's hard to get going in an industry that’s so experience based; be honest to people about your abilities, be keen to learn and don't underestimate the importance of people skills - you'll work in a small team so you need to know how to fit in.

 

Best of luck

Hi Tom

It's great to hear from someone who has done the course and hear such positive things about it, sounds like you are doing good.

I am more than happy to spend the money to secure a future in Tree Surgery for myself and your absolutely right, it's got to be worth it.

I'm certainly not expecting it to be easy, far from it but I am very determined to make it happen and the more I can learn the better. Getting on with people and fitting in has never been a problem with me so that's good. I'm very keen to get as much knowledge and experience as possible to help me along the way.

Thanks

Kev

That's good to know, thanks for the feedback Marc😃

That's great, cheers for the info on the books mate. 👍I'll get on the case right away!

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Hi Gareth

It's good to hear from someone who has done what I'm about to embark on and the fact that it has worked for you and you are happy is very encouraging. Cheers for the good advice mate😃

Thanks for the sound advice Topcat 😃

Also is there any training material you guys would recommend, books, websites etc?? To get a bit of a head start. Hands on would be ideal if at all possible.

Thanks Paul and Andy. I was kind of hoping my age and mechanical experience would put me in good stead. I've worked hard at it over the 13 years but I'm ready for a new challenge now. I will certainly give Andy Gentle a shout. Very sound advice from all you guys.

Thanks

Kev

Again thanks everyone for the feedback. It's a big help. With regards to any other strings to my bow, I have served a 4 year Apprenticeship as a car mechanic in a main dealer where I have been for over 13 years now, I am a first Aider, MOT tester, Windscreen Repairer and Tracker installer. I know this means nothing regards becoming a Tree Surgeon but it shows dedication and willingness to train and progress if anything. Now your probably wondering why I want a career change but it is simply because I no longer want to work on cars, there is nothing challenging about the job anymore and no i get no job satisfaction plus i hate being stuck indoors. I love the outdoors, adventure and challenges it offers and I just have a passion for the countryside and nature. Before I left school, Tree Surgery was what I wanted to do but I was steered down the mechanic route but I'm only 29 and have no ties so figure now is the time to retrain and do what I'd really like to do. It's not all about money, happiness in a job is important to me :-)

Thanks for taking the time to read my thread and feedback on it guys, really appreciate it. I have always wanted to become a Tree Surgeon as I love being outdoors in all weathers and I like physically challenging myself. This course looks to be about my best way of getting into the industry from the research I've done but when I heard about this forum I thought this has to be a great place to get advice and info from guys doing the job with a lot of experience.

Hi, I am new to the Forum and have a question regarding Training to become a Tree Surgeon. I am looking at doing a 10 week course at Otley College, my local Agricultural and Horticultural College and was wondering if anyone would be able to give me some idea as to how worthwhile this course would be in helping me to gain employment once I have successfully completed it or is it a waste of time and money (£1200)? From the course I would gain NPTC Certificates CS30, CS31, CS38, CS39 and First Aid at work certificate and come away with a Level 2 Qualification. All practical work is done in a local Forrest and the course covers Theory of Tree Biology, pests and diseases, tree identification, tree hazard assessment and Ecology. I am concerned that an Employer would not take me on due to lack of experience on the job and I am all to aware that you can't beat experience. If anyone can give me some advise it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Kev

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