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Hi everyone I am new to the site. I am 32 years old, I live in Liverpool and I am thinking of leaving my well paid office job and get myself a trade in becoming an Aborist. I am currently earning 40k a year and I am aware that I will have to take a big dip or even cut in half my salary by making this career choice. Some of you may think I am mad but I am really tired of the office politics and sitting behind a desk all day. I feel really connected with nature and this, I am not new to hard graft I used to work on sites building universities and hotels as a labourer but never actually had a trade behind me. My plan is to get a month intensive training from Kingswood training centre in Kent which do a full starter course which gives me... NPTC 201/202/203 (CS30/31) – 5-day Lantra Chainsaw Maint. Cross Cutting and Felling of Trees (up to 380mm) plus NPTC Assess NPTC 206/306 (CS38) – 5-day Lantra Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue – plus NPTC Assess NPTC 308 (CS39) – 2-day Using Chainsaw from Rope and Harness – plus NPTC Assess Stumpgrinder – 1 day Lantra or NPTC Woodchipper – 1 day Lantra or NPTC Basic Tree Inspection (BTI) – Lantra Qualification Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) – OFFQUAL I know having the tickets is only half the battle and what employers want is good experience. I know its not going to be easy. I am worried about not finding work due to my experience after forking out 3 grand on the course. I would just like peoples thoughts on this who have experience in the business, especially those starting in their early 30s. The money is secondary to me and job satisfaction is more important to me now. The idea of maybe one day having my own business and this line of work which has so many aspects to it is exciting to me. I would love to know peoples feelings on being an arborist, does anyone hate the job? if so why? do you love it? what would you do differently if you started up again? Look forward to hearing your thoughts