Jon2505

Dont bother trying to get a job while your in Europe. Its a nightmare and to much red tape. Just go there. A few guys i worked with in England did the same. One got a job in Darwin, climbing for a year earning about 40 dollars an hour and tge other in Sydney

Get a working holiday visa which allows you 1-2 years in oz to travel and work. Then approsch companies once your there. Take your NPTC cards with you. I approached Active Tree Serviceswho gave me a job straight away. They are the biggest line ckearance contractors in oz. They also do domestic. I got a job straight away. They like Brit climbers / workers because we know how to work.

At the momwnt im getting bits and pieces in Spain but its looking like im going to need to leave and work in another country for abit. So im now kooking into railway work

I've never done rail work but I know in England apparently its pretty horrendous, working among st rubbish etc.

But if its rural and similar work to line clearance then it wont be to bad.

Thanks for the replies guys

Much appreciated :-)

Hi Everyone

Just wondering if anyone knows of any companies who are looking for staff around Europe. I'm English and i'm not interested in working back in the UK if i can help it.

I have over 10 years experience working all over the UK for various large Utility contractors. My experience is primarily line clearance, climbing and working out of bucket trucks. At the moment i'm based in Spain but i'm available to go anywhere.

Do you guys know of any contractors that work on the lines in other European countries?

I've never worked on railways but I would if the opportunity came along.

So guys any ideas, France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy..anywhere. Id be happy pruning fruit trees if need be.

Also i'm happy to work on a self employed basis.

Cheers

Jon

Hi

I know this is an old thread but to answer your question. I have worked for Active in and around Adelaide.

I was on a working holiday visa and needed a job. So I looked up their address and turned up at their Adelaide office. The manager was an English guy called Jim. He asked if I had experience and if I had my NPTC cards which I did. After asking me who I had worked for in the UK, which was Tilhill. He said I could start the following Monday.

As a company they are very good and the biggest utility cutting company in Australia. They work in every state I think.

The guys I worked with were all good guys and hard workers. I started off on the ground but after a couple a weeks they had me climbing, The distances and voltages and voltages are the same as the UK apart from they have several different voltages on the same poles.

They use allot of MEWP's and they try to cut I think 20 spans a day and its hot work.

Climbing is looked upon as a dangerous job and you get decent money for it ( not like in UK )

Also they don't like climbers working in the rain ( to dangerous / slippery ) not that it rains much.

All in all, a good company with allot of scope and career choices.

Jon

Depends who you work for and how much experience you have.

I was on £9.45 about 6 years ago and i now work for a different company and get payed £9.50.

I have been in Utility work for 10 years and i have every ticket apart from 41.Ive worked on every voltage and all over the UK.

What we get payed is not enough, when on 11kv, they expect you to work like a dog in a team of 2.

I prefer LV working from a MEWP these days. Ive done my time earning **** money and never getting a thanks.

Australia are paying £20+ an hour for the same job. I know as i worked there about 5 years ago.

Grasshopper

Mate if you want to work in Utility your best off going for a big company. That way they will pay for you to go on the Electrical courses.

With the tickets you have, a large company will take you.

The electrical tickets are

UA1

UA2.1

UA2.2

UA2.3

Those are the electrical tickets, but before you can do 2.3, you need NPTC unit 40.

Like i said, companies will pay for these if you show you are keen.

Most companies cut along 11kv, so its all ground and climbing work.

Not alot of companies like having their guys cut out of MEWP's on live LV. Although some do, no names mentioned.

Australia offers £32,000.00 a year to climb and use bucket trucks.

I have worked there a few years ago and you are treated alot better and they understand the climbing work is very dangerous. There is no rush like here in th UK. They just want everyone to go home at the end of the day and they pay you well.

It is hot work though.

Hi

Does anybody know of any other European countries in Europe that do Utility line clearance.

Also is it mainly climbing or Mewp work?

If you do, do you know which companies do it and roughly the hourly rate?

Cheers

There is a shortage of Utility Cutters all over the Uk, even Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand, there is a huge shortage. But then atleast in these other countries you get payed a decent wage and its looked upon as being dangerous work.

In the Uk the pay is not good, thats why their is a shortage. Know one wants to do it anymore.

Ive been doing it for 10 years and ive worked all over the UK. My hourly rate has been at maximum £9.45 an hour and that was about 4 years ago.

Ive ended up with, lower back pain at times, tennis elbow in both elbows, a week left shoulder and pain in my hips if i do alot of spikeing.

So what annoys me is, Utility Arborists do not get enough money for what we do.

We should be on atleast £20.00 an hour as that is the minimum rate the other countries are paying their guys.

Sorry, rant over ;o)