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

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 ????