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Hi, Looking for a couple days work experience/shadowing with an experienced/established team. East Sussex based (near Tunbridge Wells) but can travel within a reasonable distance. If you have anything available in the coming weeks, please drop me a message and send over some dates. Many thanks.

take home… after tax and deductions

I guess minimum monthly income would have to be somewhere in the ball park of 1800-2000. If I can clear 2000 a month, I think I’d be okay. I was thinking that I could gain some income with work on the side at the weekends (lawn mowing, hedge trimming, brush cutting etc)

That’s an interesting point which I had not considered. I’ll have to look into it in more detail. I have been looking at if I could maybe work compressed hours and using that additional day a week to shadow a crew and gain some experience.

Have a look at the KnivesandTools website. You’ll have to do a bit of searching around on the website (keyword search works best) but they have axe handles on there. I purchased a Splitting Axe from there. I think they ship from the Netherlands, but had no issues with ordering and shipping, turnaround was pretty quick. knivesandtools.co.uk

Hi Everyone, Thank you for your replies. To answer some of your questions… I work in Compliance (legal/regulatory). I’ve been doing this kind of work for the last 20 years or so. It pays okay, but I don’t particularly enjoy it. I don’t want to work another 20 years, retire and look back knowing that I wasted half my life doing something I did not enjoy and which made me miserable. I’m at that age where I have the usual responsibilities… I’m married, have a mortgage, bills to pay and dependents. But… the realisation for me is, money isn’t the be all and end all, as long as I can cover what I need to. I spend most of leisure time outdoors and enjoy being outside. I’m physically fit and not afraid of hard work. I have minimal climbing experience though. I have messaged a few local companies to see if I could shadow them for a few days (work experience) to see how it goes. I’ll most likely do my qualifications around my current work. The idea or plan was to get as much experience as I can for a year or so with a view to eventually going self-employed.

Hi Ben10, I’m in a similar position to you and posted more or less the same question today. Just wanted to ask if you went for it and how you are getting on?

Hello Everyone, Asking for some honest feedback/advice. I’m fast approaching my 45th birthday and after spending most of my life behind a desk and slowly losing the will to live, I’m seriously considering changing careers and working as an arborist. I’ve had a good look around for training (based in the South East) and there’s some good options available for comprehensive training to get me qualified as a climber. Before I make the jump and invest in the training, I really would like some help in understanding if it’s going to be a viable move for me. Realistically, what would someone in my position be earning annually coming into this industry (as a potential employee of a company/business)? Also, what are your views of your career and day to day. I’d especially like to hear from anyone that’s been in a similar position to me. Any advice/insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.