SussexHarry

Oh I see! That one did throw me off a bit 🤣

Thank you. Well said and right on the money I think. May I ask what you’re up to now?

Yes I am tempted by it. Certainly got some perks - well paid (so I won’t have to stomach much of a pay cut leaving my current job), fully funded development, and the team seems good. Only thing that puts me off is that I’ve heard utility work is akin to butchery, which is not the sort of work I think I’d like, nor the direction I’d want my career to take…. Decisions…

Totally get where you’re coming from. I’m no stranger to hard work and like to think I’ve grafted for the companies who have given me the time. I know tickets aren’t much but they at least show some drive, no? All self-funded. If I could find enough companies willing to offer me work I’d do it in a heart beat. But as it stands it’s literally nothing - drips and drabs, a day here and there. Finding even 3 days a week seems impossible, so I have a hard time believing I’ll be “busy”. Not before I’m bankrupt anyway. Trying to convince family and the girlfriend that giving up my full time job to get into arb, so that I can do 2 days a week and window cleaning…. Bit of a hard sell!!!

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately I’m locked into a full time job that doesn’t offer any means of cutting down hours. I’m either in or out - and working 6 day weeks it’s very difficult to find the time to do part-time work or get tickets. It’s been a struggle just getting the tickets I have. If I could find enough work to fill maybe 4 days a week I could stomach the transition. As it stands, it’s like you say - they only want me for the odd job and are otherwise fully staffed. No room anywhere for full time, and no one I can find trying to expand their company and take on more staff. Very much a case of “dead man’s boots”. I’ve been told by one company I did some work for that they can’t find any jobs at the moment! Can’t find work for the staff they already have - let alone anyone extra. I’ll keep looking, but at the moment I think my best bet is to keep trying the bigger companies for a full time position, rather than relying on smaller businesses to provide drips and drabs. All seems quite unreliable…

Mid-20s. Ex military. Got CS30/31, and would have climbing certs if my local college didn’t cancel the course last minute 🙄

Hi everyone, About a year ago I began the process of leaving my current career and getting started in tree work. I got some tickets and did “experience days” with local companies on my days off. I’m at the point now where I feel ready to leave and go full-time in the trees. The issue I face now is that I can’t find the work! All of the companies I did part time work for are well staffed enough that they can’t offer me more than a day or two here and there - not enough to fill a calendar. I've looked into going PAYE with a company full-time and have only had one offer at a utility firm. It’s good money but not the sort of work I was hoping for. Is this just a terrible time to join the Arb workforce, or am I doing something wrong here? Thanks

Hi all. Sussex based, ex-army, 27 years old, with CS30/31. Currently employed elsewhere and starting university in September. Looking for full time work starting as soon as, until September. Would like to self-fund my way through climbing courses and then do that part time while studying. If anyone’s looking to hire an aspirational groundie let me know Harry

Hi all, Plumpton College, or LandPro training, have let me down by cancelling my aerial rescue course that was booked for NEXT WEEK at short notice… the trouble I went through to secure leave from work to attend this course is immense and I’m very disappointed. Does anyone know of any courses being run next week (starting 21st Oct) that have spaces left? Closer to Sussex the better but I don’t mind getting a B&B! Thanks

A friend of mine has one and works it retrieving. Bit of a toss-up. I prefer the way cockers work and the smaller size, but feel the temperament of a FRL would be better. It’s going to be a shot in the dark as, like you say, both breeds can be a handful. Will come down to the individual dog I think.

Thanks, I’m currently thinking along the lines of a working dog - cocker, or maybe a fox red lab - with the intention of actually working them. Good to see that plenty of the people here have success taking their dogs to work. Leaving the dog at home is absolute last resort, but there are plenty of family who have offered up to spend the day with a puppy - whether that will continue after puppyhood, I don’t know… doubt it! Then there’s dog walkers, and the odd day when my partner isn’t working. All going well, pooch would be at work with me all day, but I’m trying not to hedge all my bets on that being a given. You never know how they’ll turn out. Worst case scenario is I have to drop the dog off with family on the mornings I can’t have them with me, and the poor thing will have to spend all day in the company of two sassy chihuahuas!

In my research before getting a dog I’ve found lots of similar advice about having a cage as a safe place for the dog. How’d you go about training that when they’re puppies? Any tips?

Is yours on site every day then?

This is why I’m asking. Seems like lots of people have spaniels, labradors, pointers, etc, which makes me think they either take them to site every day or have someone at home all the time - quite a luxury either way!

Hi all, I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a dog. Me and the better half are both on board, but we aren’t sure about leaving the dog at home during the day. We both work… Does everyone here take their canines to jobs with them, or have someone at home? Or are we best off forking out for a dog walker every day? Any dog pictures appreciated!