KateH

Thank you so much for all the fab entries 🤩 Judging will take place over the next 24 hours… watch this space 👍 Kate & Beccy

Hi Mick, we’re judging them in the next 24 hours… late entries will be included because we’re nice 😊 Hope you’re having a good day 👍

Thanks for commenting Patrick. I’m fascinated too. The thing is I know so little about this world that I bet you’re learning a lot more than me! Thanks for joining in with the photos. Much appreciated… even though I feel very sorry for the van! Kate 😊

That’s such a good point! Thanks for suggesting it Mick. Maybe next time 😊 Kate

Thank you 😊

You guys! These are amazing, thank you 😊

Thanks you!

Amazing action shot! Thank you.

Thank you!

Fab! Thank you 😊 They are great shots and higher res. versions would be hugely appreciated. They don't need to be massive but these are coming up pixillated. Thanks in advance, Kate

Hi, we're running a photo competition and are offering 3 prizes: £100 for the best photo and 2 x £25 runners up prizes. Closing date: 24/04/22 Midnight. Full disclosure: I'm Kate and I work with Beccy at CTC Recruitment. We are specialists who only recruit for the Arb industry and we sit at computers all day; we don't get to go outside and enjoy trees 😕. This means that we struggle to get photographs to use on our blogs, Instagram feed etc. So, we thought we'd run a competition and ask you to send photos of trees, chainsaws, rigging, chainsaw sculpture, safety kit... whatever you have that you think exemplifies the industry and might be eye-catching, funny or interesting. If you send a name with the photo we will credit you and if it's an Instagram post and you send us your Insta account details we'll tag you too. If you've got time to trawl through your phone over the next week and drop your pictures in here you'll be in with a chance to win. As with all competitions the judges decision is final etc 🤓We'll notify the winners by 02/05/22. We'll be very grateful for any entries and hope that it's a bit of fun for us all to enjoy over the Easter break. Thank you! Kate & Beccy

Thanks for joining in, that's certainly a big decision. I don't know where in the Southern Hemisphere you mean but chatting to an Arb company in Australia this week I heard that the situation is similar over there. There aren't enough arborists who want to work for other people in traditional employment. I guess there are several possible solutions to this. One would be to work out how to raise pay rates in the industry; my guess is that to do this would be very complicated and need to be lead by employers. Maybe I'm wrong there though. Good luck whatever you decide. Kate

Ah! Thank you for clarifying Rich! I had knock as knocking on doors not knocking off 🙄 I'll be in trouble for thinking the worst now. A shorter working day does sound nice. Hope you have a good long weekend 👍Kate

Hi Mick, is 'job and knock' being allowed to scout for work local to a comissioned job that has finished for the day and then doing work for cash with the company machinery? I'm just guessing but that is what it sounds like.It sounds risky and complicated 🤔Maybe I'm totally off beam though.

Hi Dan, having been a boss I can say with some certainty that it’s not for everyone. Some people would rather not have the stress, responsibility and all that comes with the - not guaranteed - benefits. To be able to sleep at night and plan based on actuals has its attraction too. Maybe there’s room for some realism here? Thanks for raising the issue. Kate

Nice analogy. I guess it depends what you’re after. I’m hoping to hear more opinions. It’s an interesting thread.

Thanks for commenting. I’m really glad you’ve found a model that works for you. I guess at some point I’ll be asking about how you keep good arborists when being your own boss is so appealing. I’m not saying that with any irony. It’s just such an interesting industry and I’m trying to grasp how it works. Cheers, Kate

Thanks Mick, I appreciate hearing your opinion. I guess it’s a trade-off between a traditional, reliable job (with holidays, a pension and benefits) and running your own gig. I know from experience that owning and running a business is harder than it seems on the outside. I’ll be interested to hear what other people say. thanks for commenting 👍 Kate

With 20 years' experience in the industry, we are well aware that there comes a time in every climbing arborists' life that being up trees for a living becomes harder. Often that moment is what pre-empts the conversation we then have with climbers about next steps but it pays to think about this before that moment arrives. There are several ways that experienced climbers and groundsmen can advance their careers. There are lots of options, whether it's going on to become a tree surveyor, a planning officer, a practical assessor, a teacher or college lecturer, an expert witness, and lots more - there's something for everyone in the arb industry. The thing is that decades of experience and chainsaw tickets usually just isn't enough. However, a bit of forward planning and some extra time and effort will gain you the qualification you need to progress higher while your feet are on the ground. Watching who's about you on a daily basis in the arb world and seeing what draws your attention might help you decide a direction. The following links will take you to the Arboriculture Association website and they offer a wealth of information and support in this area. For a simple page of the possible careers in this sector click here and for a more detailed, clear view of the qualifications needed for different roles it's here. You can also access a list of training providers which offer suitable courses across the UK here. We would love to hear from education providers and those who have gone on to qualify at Level 3 or above in the arb sector about other options that will enrich this blog. We'll keep it updated so that it's useful on an ongoing basis. In the meantime it's really worth thinking about what your plan is for when climbing looses its shine. We're here when the time comes and we usually have a good range of technical as well as practical jobs available. Please comment if there are roles you think should be included above or if you have any questions. Kate & Beccy 😊

Hi both, thanks for asking. I’m just trying to understand the industry. I was in manufacturing before and don’t know much about the arb world so thought I’d ask some questions here. If you think of anything I should know I’d be happy to hear. Thank you, Kate

I'm really surprised that the most popular choice is never to stop climbing 😲

No, I do cycle (did LEJOG last year with Beccy who I work with) but our CTC stands for Complete Tree Care Recruitment. Sorry to confuse! Kate 😊

Hi all, thanks so much for all the interesting (and some very funny) replies! The result of the survey so far has surprised me a bit and I'm learning lots. If you've any topics you think should be discussed I'd love to know. I have some ideas and am thinking about doing another survey soon; it's been fun. Kate 😊

Thank you! It’s an interesting industry 👍 Kate