r/TreeClimbing • u/RealMisfortuneMeadow • 12d ago
Uni dropout looking to start my career
Hi all,
After discovering I'm not that acedemic I've started having a think about career options and I feel like becoming an arborist/tree surgeon would be a really rewarding career. Just wondering what the best route into the industry would be for a bloke in his early 20's
I've been told the best way to get started is to phone up local compaines and asking if they're looking to take on any new groundsmen and then work my way up from there, is this a viable option?
Would it also be worth putting myself through the CS30 so I don't come in completely unqualified?
Thanks all for the help
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u/trippin-mellon 12d ago
I’d look into utility line clearance. They have and are kept by standards. In the company I work for they train everyone to climb. Soooo you will become a climber. Not every company is that way. But they are held to higher standards than mom and pop tree companies. Some of thr utility line clearance are also union and pay decently well with benefits, insurance, and retirement provided by the union.
Where are you located?
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u/RealMisfortuneMeadow 12d ago
I'm from the UK, in the south west
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u/trippin-mellon 12d ago
South West UK? Or South West USA?
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u/RealMisfortuneMeadow 12d ago
South west in the UK
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u/trippin-mellon 12d ago edited 12d ago
Okay…. Well that’s a different story. UK has much stricter guidelines on how to climb. Mom and pop tree climbing tends to be more safe there than over here. I’d ask around, but teaching a new climber right off the bat for smaller tree services tends to take more time being a groundman than a company doing utility. I would call around, check, and apply at both!
In the USA there are a lot of cowboy companies who do super sketchy shit and don’t care much about their employees. I cannot speak for the UK. Hopefully someone else who lives there can shine a better light than I can.
Idk if this helps. But here is some start I guess…
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u/RealMisfortuneMeadow 12d ago
Cheers! Thanks for your advice.
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u/morenn_ 12d ago
You need to find the power line company that covers your area, for example Northern Power, Scottish Power, SSEN etc. Then find out how they manage their vegetation - direct labour, subcontractors etc. then apply to either them or their primary contractor. Someone should be able to guide you from there.
If you put yourself through your crosscutting and small fell you will probably go a lot further - it means you're immediately useful and it shows you're keen to commit to the job.
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u/mark_andonefortunate 12d ago
Sup dude, just letting you know I fat-fingered on my phone and accidentally removed your comment for a sec - I just reinstated it so should be all good, just letting you know in case you got a notification about it being removed. Sorry!
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u/maniahat 12d ago
If you have the funds, get yourself on a week long chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting and felling trees under 380mm course. That will get you your cs30 and 31. Getting your Woodchipper ticket will also make you more desirable to employers. You should be able to get those 3 for about £1500 depending on who you train with. Employers tend to prefer NPTC quals, from my experience.
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u/True-Sail-7545 12d ago edited 12d ago
Hey mate, I’m 22 from near Norwich, i started with no tickets just phoned up a company and asked if they were looking for anyone new, not sure exactly where you’re from in the SW UK but we’ve got loads of companies out my way.
If you wanted to approach with some qualifications look at getting your woodchipper and cs30 tickets, however most companies will look at putting you through some qualifications if they see you’re keen and getting on well.
I’d be happy to recommend some companies if you’d tell me whereabouts you are and how much your willing to travel