Arboriculture training
Trees for Cities currently offers a three-week intensive course in arboriculture (tree surgery) certified by the National Proficiency Test Council (NPTC). This course allows individuals to pursue employment within the field of arboriculture and forestry, a notoriously expensive profession to enter.
This course covers the following units:
- CS30 Maintain and Operate Chainsaw
- CS31 Fell and Process Small Trees
- CS38 Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Rescue
In addition, we occasionally offer the following:
- Level 2 Brushcutter Operations
- Level 2 Chipper Operations
- Level 2 Safe Use of Mower
- Arboricultural Operations AO1 Tree Planting
- CS39 Operate a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness
Courses are free for individuals but depend on funding streams. Where we are not able to offer you your first choice, we will refer you to the next most suitable.
The course consists of three weeks intensive tree surgery training. You may have a couple of days off during this time, but prepare for a demanding schedule.
Training takes place either at our training centre in Tower Hamlets, or out in the woods in Kent – candidates are driven to site in Kent from our trainer’s house in West Norwood, Lambeth.
We provide all protective clothing for the duration of the course from chainsaw, trousers and boots, to ropes and harnesses.
The first week of training covers the City & Guilds’ NPTC CS30 Chainsaw Maintenance; taking the chainsaw apart, learning how to put it back together again and look after it properly.
The second week covers the City & Guilds’ NPTC CS31 Cutting and Felling of Small Trees; learning how to make appropriate cross cuts on the trees so that it will fall safely, and felling trees with a diameter of 380mm or below.
The third week covers the City & Guilds’ NPTC CS38 Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue; climbing the tree using a rope and harness, and performing aerial rescue for your colleague.
If you are interested in applying, please email Emma Holland, Training Coordinator or call 020 7840 5957.
