Are you a climbing Arborist approaching 30? Better to start planning ahead for your future career now. We were thrilled to feature once again in December's Pro Arb magazine giving some advice on how best to progress.

To read all about it turn to page 18 Pro Arb December 2023

Get in touch if you would like to discuss your options or need any advice regarding your progression  admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk   We would love to hear from you.

Over recent years we've become more aware and concerned by issues around succession, and employment generally, in Arboriculture. The Arb Association kindly supported us in sparking a conversation this spring with our first editorial on the issue (which you can read here). The discussions we've had on the back of that article have been really interesting and in the current issue (number 202) we've fed back on what's been said.

We'd love to hear your thoughts so please email us at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk if you'd like to share them.

Beccy & Kate ☺

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

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

Two Arb prizes to be won – Which one is for you?

• We want to help the aspiring Arborist who is aiming to get off the tools and head into their first technical role - working with trees, but from the ground.
• We know from many years in the industry talking to arb employers that the PTI is the course that helps consolidate a climbing Arborists’ CV
• The PTI (Professional Tree Inspector) is a 3-day course which is respected throughout the industry. In combination with a Level 3 in Arboriculture it gets you the leg up to an interview for a technical post - from climber to tree surveyor/tree officer and beyond.

Now’s not the time? Not sure whether you’re ready? Or already have a PTI? Never fear – we are also offering a one-day Fungi course – another useful arb qualification.

The prizes are being offered by Tree Life in collaboration with us and they are both courses which will support Arborists on their career path and other technical positions.

For a chance to WIN either a Professional Tree Inspector course or a Fungi Recognition and Response course Click here and follow the instructions

You can also enter by dropping us a line at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk, following and messaging us on Instagram or LinkedIn, or popping by Stand D11c at APF2022 and saying hello. That’s all!

Once we’ve said hello back and had a short conversation, we’ll pop your name in the pot and you’ll be in with a chance to win.

*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.

Links for further exploration:

CTC Recruitment Ltd

Tree Life AC Ltd

Professional Tree Inspector course (PTI)

Fungi 'recognition & response' 1 Day Course

At APF 2022, in collaboration with Keely at Tree Life AC, we are offering information, support and two amazing prizes for the Arboriculture community. Our theme for the show is – 'Supporting arborists in creating a long and satisfying career in trees'.

We're bringing our combined expertise to APF in September to share over 3 decades of experience in arb employment and training – no strings, no bull... just the chance for an honest chat about where your career can progress to as the years go by. If you're not able to attend the show don't worry, just follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Instagram and you'll be in the know.

It takes planning to come off the tools into technical Arb roles and it's never too soon to start thinking about where you want your tree career to take you. Climbers have a unique view of trees and one that teaches something new every day. This learning adds up through the years and the right underlying planning and qualifications can support you in working in tree roles for life. Here's the problem though; many people don't think about what happens when they want to come off the tools until that moment arrives. All the tree knowledge in the world alone won't get you that Tree Inspector role without the right qualifications and here's where a visit to our stand can help.

Follow us to hear more and be in with a chance to WIN one of two Tree Life Arboriculture courses: a three day Professional Tree inspector qualification and a one day Fungi Recognition and Response course!

We'd love to hear what you think of our plan and if there's anything specific you'd like us to address. Just email admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk and either Beccy or Kate will get back to you.

Does the idea of travel excite you? From time to time we have jobs come onto our books which excite us and this week has been a pearler!

Now we ought to say from the start, we are well aware that it's not easy finding qualified Arborists in the UK at the moment. We work hard every day to match Climbers and Tree Officers with roles which will fulfil them and further their careers.

Usually being close to home is one of the key factors in a role but from time to time a situation arises where the opposite is true. Sometimes it's all about finding someone who is looking to give themselves, and perhaps their family too, a new experience and an adventure to boot.

So this week we added jobs in Australia and Bermuda to our website. Both opportunities are for a couple of years so not a lifetime commitment, but what would be special about those two years?

Well, firstly, if you love climbing then the experience of new trees to appreciate will be one of the benefits. Can you spot the climber in the eucalyptus above? These giant trees can grow up to nearly 400th tall!

Then there's the weather. Probably still challenging at times but in a very different way to British demands made by the cold. Certainly, more enjoyable when not working and on the beach or cooking up a storm on the barbie.

The adventure doesn't only have to be for those in the trees either. Both opportunities offer a fully supported application system (which could include a visa for a spouse) so it could be an exciting time for a young family to experience the world.

If the thought of sun and sea, with an interesting and rewarding job thrown in is for you then drop us an email at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk or call us on 01743 344466 to chat through the opportunities. You can also read more about the Australia Climbing Arb jobs here. Thanks for reading and, wherever you're looking for Arb work, we're here to help.

Warm wishes, Beccy and Kate

Do you have a favourite tree? I had a think about this recently and really enjoyed reminiscing. 

When I was about 8-10 I lived in Gibraltar . There was a tree behind our flat called Old Tom. 
I’m not sure what type of tree it was. It was great for climbing. It's still there; I've just checked on Google Maps. 

I was not a good climber but I could do some of the ‘crossings’ which all had a name. I can’t remember the name of them all but I could do ‘zebra crossing’. Only the older, really competent climbers could do ‘Highest Point Crossing’. Looking up from my safe spot I would watch them cross nimbly from one branch to another, so high in the air. I can still remember exactly the base of the tree and where the trunk divided and left a gap in the middle for your foot. And the lumps it had kindly grown, like on a climbing wall, to help me up. I don’t remember there being an amazing view. It probably wasn’t very tall anyway. I think when we were in the tree we didn’t look out of it, being in the tree was the excitement.

Sadly I don’t have a picture of it but my sister Valerie says she can send me one. This is her memory of it: Highest point crossing was terrifying; you had to swing your legs and loop them over the next branch and then grab the branch above in the middle and swing across. I can't believe we used to do it! There were 3 knobbles, left, right, left up the two boughs, to get to the first proper branch on the right, I remember those knobbles very clearly! Someone fell out trying it, Fraser? Not sure but remember his being terribly winded and me realising just how dangerous it was. Marjorie the doll tried a few times after that but I don't think I ever did again.

My brother remembers being too little to climb it but once leaning his bike against it in an effort to use it as a ladder. I don't think it worked. He was only 4.

Do you have a favourite tree you'd like to share? If so Instagram is a great place to do it. We are @ctcrecruitment (click here to go direct). If you're not on Instagram you can email us at admin@ctcrecruitment.co.uk. We'd love to hear your stories.

Thanks and happy arb-ing, Kate (& Beccy)

When we asked Steve Bullman from Arbtalk about running a photograph competition we had no idea how many fab tree people would enter and we’ve loved going through the pictures.

It’s also been fascinating to see the arb world from different angles, looking up high into the canopy, looking down from a drone and up close with trees and machinery. From some of the comments on Arbtalk I think it’s fascinated arborists too. If you’d like to see them as they appear on our Instagram feed you can follow us by clicking here. But before you do that scroll down to enjoy some of the entries loved and to see the competition winners.

It’s been really hard to decide which are our favourites but we managed to whittle it down to a shortlist of 9 photos which we wanted to share because we loved them and 3 which were our out-and-out winners. We’ve explained why under each photo.

 We have 9 photos which we wanted to highlight for various reasons. These first two show a working day being enjoyed in very different weathers:

Credit: JonnyRFT

Credit: IronMike

The next two were amazing examples of being in the woods as the sun set...

Credit: Juddy  

Credit: IronMike

And these are gorgeous examples of the beautiful neaqr symmetry of trees:

Credit: AFtrees  

Credit: Patrick Goulding

And these were great examples of trees in various stages of removal:

Credit Tommy_B

Credit: Mike Dempsey

Credit: skyhuck

And our winners are... for the two runner's up prizes of £25 we have something old world and something very much more modern. We felt both had a great sense of atmosphere and portrayed the job in hand really well:

Credit: Cob-Logging

Credit: JonnyRFT

And finally, our winner is Carlos whose silhouette really seemed to us to capture a sense of purpose and concentration:

Credit: Carlos

A massive thank you to all who joined in. We'll look forward to showcasing the photos on Instagram over time and will credit the entrant wherever possible. Please follow us via the link at the top of this blog and we'll tag you if you know which was your entry. Thank you also to Arbtalk and the arb community there for the fun we've had with it. We'll message the three winners privately to arrange to send their prize.

If you've any photos you'd like us to share on Instagram don't hesitate to drop them across to us.

Stay safe and thanks again, Kate & Beccy