Bespoke refresher training - ground based chainsaw, climbing & aerial cutting
We’re always keen to carry out refresher training with people who are keen to improve and develop their tree surgery contracting skills. I recently worked with a chap named Martin on a one-to-one course over the space of three days, which was a real pleasure. He wanted to refresh his tree work skills in anticipation of a return to full time arboriculture and forestry life, following a few years in the Parachute Regiment.
Martin originally trained at Capel Manor College with Steve Woodley, before working abroad. On recommendation from the Arboricultural Association, he contacted us to see if we could assist him. Martin was travelling from Essex to our site in Lamberhurst, so creating a bespoke refresher package that would fulfil each of his requirements was key and we were so pleased to be able to offer something to suit.
We started by looking at the root causes of most aerial tree work incidents and then moved on to pole rescue and climbing techniques. Martin wisely identified many of the more intractable issues such as fatigue, complacency and the macho nature of out industry at times. I’ve put together a brief list of some of the factors that can often lead to aerial tree work incidents below:
- Complacency
- Rushing
- Time pressures
- Financial pressures
- Bravado
It was clear early on that Martin was keen to find out more about SRT, so following a quick demonstration during the first day, we took a look in much more detail on day two. On day three, Dave (my fellow Training Instructor), took over the refresher training, delivering the ground based chainsaw skills section. He continued in the same area of the estate that we had already been working on with some overstood birch trees, giving Martin’s training a real commercial feel.
Martin’s training went extremely well and we were very pleased to receive the following feedback, showing that our refresher training, like all our training, is certainly more than a box ticking exercise:
“When I turned up, I was expecting it to be like other places I have attended, in that they use health and safety in a prohibitive way – telling me “You can’t do this, You can’t do that” but that was not the case in the slightest. Both Scott and Dave were vastly knowledgeable and taught useful, functional techniques in a way that is supremely efficient in a commercial environment but in a safe and controlled manner. I was very pleased with how I was able to advance, as well as refresh and feel in a much better place to go out in the industry at the highest standard I could be. On the admin side, Anna could not have been helpful enough. She gave clear and concise instructions and I knew exactly what I needed to do prior to the course. I could not recommend their services enough.”
If you are looking to get back in to tree surgery after some time out and feel a refresher course would be beneficial, whether bespoke, one to one or as a group - please do get in touch and we can discuss your needs!
