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 them about next steps but it really pays to think about this before that moment arrives... If you've spent years doing the hard yards up in the treetops and are beginning to feel that a change is on the horizon the below should help.

There are several ways that experienced climbers and even 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, an expert witness, and lots more - there's definitely something for everyone. The thing is that decades of experience and chainsaw tickets 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!

The links below 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.