The move from climbing to surveying can be a natural one for many. Your experience will give you a gut feel for the health and probable safety of a tree and if you love being around trees this role is a great way to do that from the ground.

You can choose from amenity surveying as a Tree Officer or utility surveying on the national road, water and rail networks and between local authority or private work. 

You'll usually need minimum Level 3 in Arboriculture, unless you've been doing it for decades without and have a PTI, so it's worth considering starting a distance learning course before you make your move. These days if you have a good base of arb knowledge you may be able to go straight for a Level 4, which will usually take 2 years distance learning but you'll need to check with your nearest course provider. Treelife, amongst others, offer this course and would be happy to advise; you can read more on this here.

There are other short courses that you can take to bolster your chances, for example:

The QTRA is a recognised methodology it's worth considering.

Surveying Trees for Bats courses will be a good addition to the CV.

There are other short courses you can consider here, many of which have equivalents offered by other providers.

The LTOA (London Tree Officer's Association) have published an informative leaflet about Tree Officer roles, which you can read here.

If you're interested in this career move, please let us know, we've often got roles of this nature to fill.

Have you got your PTI? The Professional Tree Inspector credential is mentioned a lot in our industry. It's like a gold standard which many employers have on their wish list when they are looking for an arb surveyor. From council roles to highways positions and tree inspectors to consultants it's always one of the desired 'assets' but what is it, how hard is it and why do you need it?

The PTI is a 3-day integrated assessment programme which is well accepted by the arb industry. This is probably because it's a tough ask, in depth tree and fungi knowledge is a must and having a PTI tells people that you really know your stuff. The pass rate is 70% but we've often heard it pointed out that when inspecting trees, a pass rate of 100% is preferable!

Treelife Ltd, one education provider's description of the requirements is: "it is fully expected that you will have a detailed knowledge of tree biology, the tree as an undamaged self-optimised structure, biological and mechanical weaknesses, pathology, legislation, remedial options and their likely implications and the British Standard 3998 Recommendations for Treework. Also any other specific arboricultural knowledge such as may affect detection and measurement of tree defects and recommendation of control measures that reduce the risk posed to an acceptable level."

Importantly, it's not a qualification. It's a competency-based assessment designed for experienced arborists. Typically, you'll already have at least a Level 3 in Arboriculture and have been inspecting trees for 3-5 years to be accepted for assessment.

You may also need a bit of patience because assessments tend to be in the summer months due to longer days, and better chance of good weather, so there's often a wait involved.

There are several providers (a link to LANTRA's full list is at the end of this blog) and as well as the study time and the 3 days to take the assessment it'll cost between £500-£650 depending on who you do it with.
Because it's not a qualification your PTI can't run out once you have it. That said you may be required to do a refresher for insurance purposes, or you may just choose to so that you know you are keeping up with industry learning.

As a recruitment agency we know just how valuable it is; a PTI will make you stand out. In fact it's more than that, we are often unable to put great candidates forward for roles they would really suit because the employer requires someone with a PTI. It's an assessment that's definitely worth doing if you are keen to progress your surveying career and have the pick of the best roles out there.

If you have any questions do email us as we're keen to help anyone who is interesting in investing in their arb career and will do our best to help. 

If, on the other hand, you do have a PTI and we don't know (or don't have you on our free to join database) please let us know as we'd love to help you find your next role when the time is right.

Best wishes as ever,
Beccy & Kate

Providers of the PTI:

This LANTRA PTI page offers a postcode search and if you put in your postcode and search it will then offer you a button to choose to see every provider in the UK: https://www.lantra.co.uk/product/30866

We’ve been recruiting into Australia for some time. It’s an amazing continent but there is a stereotypical image which comes to mind for most people when we mention ‘Oz’ – beaches, prawns, barbeques, however, it’s not all like that.

Tasmania, for example, is often overlooked and rich with opportunity if you’re looking for an adventure that’s a bit out of the ordinary. We’ve specialised in finding jobs for arborists, and vice versa, for 20 years now and we know that some of the hobbies and passions typically enjoyed are outdoor pursuits.

In an effort to match the person to the opportunity our client has told us more about this often-overlooked state – does it sound like somewhere you’d like to spend some time?

Tasmania is a beautiful state – lots of wilderness, outdoors lifestyle, great food, and drink (vinyards, distilleries), culture, art…. And a rich heritage. It’s also known internationally for its bike trails and hiking and is Australia’s capital of mountain biking and with worldclass MTB trails and fantastic road cycling too.

The climate is more like the UK than is much of the rest of Australia. There are four clear seasons, it rains, it even snows, but it is typically a little warmer and drier than blighty.

In terms of climbing – we’re told that it’s the Aussie state with the best tree work. Projects across Tasmania gives an arborist the opportunity to undertake exciting climbs, often in spectacular scenery.

If a southern hemisphere adventure sounds attractive drop us a line, tell up a bit about yourself and we’ll get the ball rolling. 

Beccy and Kate

 Ps. If other exciting locations interest you click here to read about travelling on your CS card.

Thank you for coming here to share your thoughts. Click here to access our Typeform reaponse form. We've asked for a small amount of information, but none of it is obligatory - it's just nice to know a bit about who we're chatting with if you're happy to share. Many thanks, Beccy & Kate

This year at APF our theme was: 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'.
It's a subject that we know a lot about with over 20 years of experience in recruitment in arb.

We care too and we know we're not the only ones. Arboriculture is an industry with a big heart and one of those is apparent in Tree Life AC. Keely and her team donated two amazing prizes to the show competition and even joined us at the event to offer support and advice to arborists at all stages at the show.

The prizes offered were one Professional Tree Inspector course and one Fungi Recognition and Response course. The PTI could only be won by someone with a Level 3 in arboriculture or above and the Fungi course was open to anyone in arb with a thirst for knowledge. We had lots of entrants and Keely and the CTC Team got together to work out who we felt would benefit the most from the prizes. The two winners were notified a couple of weeks ago and both were delighted. Kieran Hall, the winner of the Fungi course said: 'I was shocked at first to find out that I had won something and it was awesome that it turned out to be a fungi course, I’m looking forward to seeing what i will learn on the course as I find fungi fascinating. Thank you once again!'. It's a lovely feeling to spread positivity and we're really greatful to the Tree Life AC for the opportunity.

A PTI is the key to the door of many 'off the tools' arb jobs. You can read more about it here. It's often fully booked so if you're considering it it's worth thinking ahead.
The fungi course helps arborists to recognise and respond appropriately and can really help when assessing a tree.

If you would like advice about your next step in your career in arb we're all happy to help. From getting into the trees at the start of a climbing career to coming down and working from the ground, in a technical or managerial capacity.

Hope to see you at the next APF and maybe speak in between.

Thanks, Kate & Beccy

Links for further exploration:
CTC Recruitment Ltd – Beccy or Kate
Tree Life AC Ltd - Keely
Professional Tree Inspector course (PTI)
Fungi 'recognition & response' 1 Day Course

In October we started a mission to find out more about how word travels about careers in Arb.

One of the things that came up at APF in September was that there don't seem to be enough people coming into Arboriculture in general, so we decided to ask some questions. I made a couple of questionnaires, one on Arbtalk and one on Instagram, which was also shared on Facebook.

The sample isn't very large, just 50 people, but the findings were interesting...

The question asked was: How did you find out about a career in arb? And the possible answers were family/friend, careers advice, a stranger, the internet or 'other'.

The standout finding is, I think, that no one seems to hear about arb through careers advice and most people hear about it because they know someone who is in the industry.

Is this a problem or an opportunity? It's probably both.

Not everyone wants to work outdoors. Tree work can be physically tough and certainly requires the ability to cope with most weathers, whether from up a tree or underneath one. It makes sense that people who are in arb and enjoy it are the best ambassadors for it.

That said are we missing an opportunity to spread the word outside the world of trees?

How could we tell more young people about this career? And who should we even tell?

People can be so kind, and the arborists of Instagram are no exception. While we desperately encouraged people to answer our questionnaire one arborist, George Husher, jumped in and sent us the survey results from her dissertation in 2018. It's a huge piece of work, with respondents from all over the world, and throws up some interesting results.

One that particularly grabbed me was about roles prior to coming into arb:

Out of the 423 respondents 306 had worked in other roles before coming into arboriculture. That seems a very high number. It may be that the outdoor industries attract a higher proportion of transient workers, which is probably true, but if people can come into it at any time, then that's an opportunity too. Attracting the right people and creating a working environment which is likely to keep them interested in arboriculture could be part of the solution.

What do you think?

Do you have different insights or suggestions as to how we can promote arb careers together?

We'd love to have some open discussion around this and learn what we can do to help. Either catch us on Linkedin, Instagram or Arbtalk or email us at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk to share your views.

Thanks! Kate and Beccy

From rope splicing to cranes, horses to tractors and pole running to chainsaw carving this years' APF was a sight to behold. The place thronged with arborists, foresters and tree lovers of all types.

This year the show was laid on in collaboration with the Arboriculture Association. At our stand we collaborated with Keely from Tree Life to bring training and career advice to anyone happy to stop for a chat. We also ran a competition offering two FREE courses which was really popular (closing date Sunday October 2nd at midnight – more on that here).

Our stand was a few steps down from the Acorn Tavern but even without the sound of people having the odd tipple to raise money for the NSPCC that there was a sense of jollity in the air. The weather was kind and the atmosphere one of relief at being back to outings of old.

We had a visitor from the other side of the world! Jim came to see us from Active Tree services in Australia hoping to take home a bunch of arborists and consultants. We didn't find him any on the day but if you know anyone who might be interested we're sole agents for a some amazing roles so do spread the word.

Amongst other industry friends we met some in real life for the first time. Sean Thompson, an ever cheerful presence on Instagram at @atattooedarborist, who was splicing away happily at the Honey Bros stand.

We had really interesting chats with Steve from ArbTalk, and his son, on several topics including arb aprenticeships. Steve, and his merry ArbTalk members, have helped to introduce me to the industry, they aren't averse to putting me right and we've has some honest and interesting conversations on the forums.

We also met Ohil Swainston from Perennial, an amazing charity working hard in this sector. More on that soon!

It was incredible to watch the pole climbing competition progress and hear the support for it. Here's a link to a video compellation of the event by Britclip on YouTube.

The other slightly mind-blowing thing was the chainsaw carving... incredible! Here's a taste of some of the talent, starting with the winner, by chaoinsaw artist William Lee, while it was in progress.

And here's Mike Burgess with his nearly finished bear seat!

 I don't have the names of all the chainsaw artists so please don't hesitate to contact us to add any you know of.

More from our experiences at the show coming soon!

Kate & Beccy ????

Planning for when you might down tools? Or looking to make a change to your Arb career in the next few years?

Our APF 2022 Arb Competition is now closed - winners will be announced soon!

Here's your opportunity to WIN either a Lantra PTI or a Fungi Recognition and Response Course with CTC Recruitment and Tree Life AC. 

We are here to support arborists at all levels over the phone, on social media and in real life at APF 2022. Let us know where you are in your career, what you enjoy and what your ambitions are and we'll help wherever we can. We'll also enter you into the competition with the chance to win a FREE course with the highly regarded training team for Tree Life AC.

To enter: either email us at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk or click here and follow the instructions. You can also pop and see us at stand D11c at APF2022 or use the QR code below.

*Small print: The course financial values are £450+vat and £120+vat respectively but it's the value to a career we're interested in. There is no cash alternative – the winners will be decided by Tree Life and CTC Recruitment and the judge's decision is final. We're doing this to spread the word; start conversations; support Arb careers and the industry and hope you'll approach the competition in the spirit intended – thanks. Winners announced Oct 2022.

www.ctcrecruitment.co.uk
admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk
Tel: 01743 344466

www.treelifeac.co.uk
admin@treelifeac.co.uk
Tel: 0116 260 6939