Advice and Training – Arboriculture Training/Education

Advice and Training – Training/Education

With over 20 years of industry experience we're well versed in the many ways a career in arb can be embarked upon and the number of directions you can take as time goes by. There are several blogs on our website which will help and information below that about academic study. If they don't answer the question you have then you can always contact us and we'll be happy to help.

Short arb blogs:

What is a PTI and do you need one?

Tips for progressing your arb career after 30

Climbing the ladder when you're tired of climbing trees

International travel on your chainsaw licence

Arboricultural qualifications explained: A brief guide to Academic, Vocational, Competency and Work based awards in Arboriculture

Academic

Higher level arboricultural qualifications are usually studied full or part time through a college or university. Usually classroom based, they are commonly assessed through formal exams or externally moderated coursework.

Vocational/Centre Based

These qualifications tend to be delivered within a college environment and provide a mix of hands-on practical learning alongside applied classroom-based theory. They prepare people for employment within the industry at various levels, or for progression onto higher level qualifications (Academic). They offer a mix of practice and theory and often include work experience. Some cover a broad range of content whilst others can be specific to a particular task or activity. They are commonly assessed by your tutor as you progress through the course, through practical assessment and coursework.

Competence-based

Sometimes referred to as ‘licence to practise’ qualifications, these tend to be award-sized qualifications and are usually delivered as short, intensive practical courses. They include chainsaw use, tree climbingand aerial tree work, machinery operation (e.g. brushwood chippers, stump grinders, mobile elevating work platforms) and specific skills (e.g. planting, cable bracing, hand tool pruning), as well as specialisedutility arboriculture qualifications for work near power lines and electrical equipment. It is a legal requirement that anyone working must be adequately trained and competent, and in some cases, such as using chainsaws, you must pass a competence-based test/qualification.

Visit the NPTC website for information on Chainsaw certificates ; https://www.nptc.org.uk/qualificationdefault.aspx

Work-based

Apprenticeships are government-funded training programmes aimed primarily at young people and reflect what employees are expected to do in a particular job. They offer the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’ – to learn the skills needed through a combination of on- and off-the-job training whilst being employed. Apprentices usually undertake a Diploma in Work-based Trees and Timber, along with further qualifications in English and mathematics.

See the Lantra website for more details:

www.lantra.co.uk/apprenticeships or email apprenticeships@lantra.co.uk or telephone 02476 696996.

Training is available from a number of sources including land-based colleges and independent trainers.

For more information on Careers and Qualifications in Arboriculture please contact the Arboricultural Association or download their free guide ‘A guide to careers and qualifications in arboriculture’. (http://www.trees.org.uk/aa/documents/training/aa_guide_to_qualifications_web.pdf)

Training providers:

TKF Training - Careers in Arboriculture

TFK Training Chainsaw Courses West Yorkshire

Kingswood Training Chainsaw Courses Kent

Lantra Chainsaw Training Course Coventry

https://www.treelifeac.co.uk/level-4 - Part time learning options to gain a Level 4 in Arboriculture, spread over 1 or 2 years.

https://www.thetrainingtree.co.uk/professionalcourses- Part time and on line Level 4 In Arboriculture. Flexible options

Arboricultural colleges and Universities:

Merrist Wood College Arb & Forestry Course Guildford, Surrey

Hadlow College Forestry & Arboriculture Course Tonbridge, Kent

Capel Manor College North London

Plumpton College Forestry & Arboriculture Course East Sussex