SimpleSimon

Seems to me you did the right thing by everyone, the customer and her family will be happy and perhaps the neighbour will remember your attitude when she or somebody she knows needs some work done.

Thanks for that, makes sense. I'm 31 this year. I worked for a couple of years in my late teens/early 20s as a high ropes and climbing instructor at outdoor pursuits centres. Early starts, late finishes, out all day in all weather, long hours, hard graft building and repairing stuff in the off season. I loved it! Obviously it's a different ball game to tree work but it's not like my only experience is in an office. However I appreciate what you say about it not being for everyone. I also once worked in a Yamaha bike dealer for a couple of months thinking it would be great. It was awful

Bump up the list I'd also welcome any advice from anybody even if you can't help with work/experience. Will I be better off waiting until after I've done the CS30/31 before approaching firms directly? Am I more likely to find full-time work than part time to fit around current shifts (I.e give up my other job sooner rather than later?) I've been brushing up/refreshing some tree knowledge. Anything else I could be cracking on with aside from saving up for more CS courses?

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity. Shame I no longer live in Kent!

Still looking, still hopeful. I thought I may have something coming but the chap hasn't called me. I have an understanding of ropework, rigging, knots, etc from former life as a rock climber and a high ropes instructor... From reading up and watching some videos it looks like the nomenclature and accepted norms are different in the tree game but the basics are much the same.

Have a look at the '07-'14 Nissan Xtrail. That budget will get you a late, low mileage model in top trim. They're lovely to drive, plenty of torque and all the luxury toys. Boot is bigger than most of the mid-size competition. Very capable off road with AT tyres on. I love mine.

Just nudging this up the list. Willing to work ad-hoc on a self-employed basis and/or do unpaid trial days. Anything that will get me a little experience!

Sorry... Worcestershire (Stourport, to be precise) I realise now it doesn't show up on the mobile site.

If only is right! I was brought up in THE NORTH and I miss it, but I'm tied down here with the wife's job...

Hi all, Perhaps this is a long shot, I don't know, but at the risk of sounding naive I'm wondering if anybody can offer me any work on a part time basis to fit around current shift work? (one or two days a week. If all goes well I can increase that over time) I'm looking to move away from my career as a support worker for children with SEN and challenging behaviour. It's very enjoyable, often very difficult, but it's not what I see myself doing for the rest of my working life. I've got a CS30/31 course booked in July and will look to pass my trailer test before then (funds allowing). I have EFAW, H+S, COSHH certificates from current job. I'd be especially interested in forestry, conservation or estate maintenance type work, but any experience would be welcome! I'm not scared of hard graft (in fact I like it!) and I tend to learn quickly so you won't be babysitting me. Can provide own PPE and look to get hold of anything else as needed. If anybody can offer anything please get in touch. Simon

Lidl were recently doing a petrol chainsaw for not much money at all (I can't remember exactly). I wonder how that would stack up?!

Cheers folks, I'll get looking and see if I can find any bargains...

Sam, did you just ring round local companies and ask if anything was going? Is there much call for casual/part time labour?

Where would be a good place to look? I reckon a second hand one to tide me over is a better option just now than punishing the credit card for a new one...

Well I didn't want to sound like one of those "anybody could do that!" types, but it did strike me as fairly self-explanatory...

Thanks for that, it's helpful... I did consider towing so I'll look into that. Probably a fair bit cheaper short-term than CS38/39 as well and it's also something I'd use outside work settings. There's a couple of firms nearby offering it so I'll make enquiries. Is there any merit in doing a chipper course? They seem expensive! Forgot to say I've got innumerable other somewhat relevant courses from my current job. COSHH, H+S, FAW, Fire Safety... Always better to have than not have when somebody else is paying!

Hi all, Just thought I'd introduce myself with a first post, I've been browsing the forums gleaning information for a while. Basically, I'm 31 this year and it's occurred to me that although I enjoy my job (support work for children with learning difficulties and challenging behaviour) very much, I actually ended up doing it quite accidentally and it's not what I see myself doing for the rest of my working life. I suppose I'm fortunate to be doing a job I like whilst I look for other options, rather than desperately trying to escape! Since I was a kid I've always imagined myself working outdoors, doing something physical and "close to nature". I do have a second job, with the same employer as a handyman maintaining the building and about 1/2 an acre of garden (basic domestic stuff - tap washers, squeaky hinges, chipped paint, lawnmowing, assembling flatpacks, etc...) Anyway, I've scraped together some money and booked myself onto a CS30/31 course in July with the intention of looking at changing career before it's too late. I'd like to do tree work (obviously) or forestry. Can anybody offer any advice on how to "get into" the industry? Obviously I'm not naive enough to think that having one ticket will suddenly make me Mr Employable, so I'll need to try and get in at the bottom somewhere. What should I expect, is there much work out there and is it a competitive market? Any other skills I ought to work on or desirable certificates, etc for employers? Will lack of experience go against me? Honest and frank advice is always appreciated!