Foundation training courses
Training courses are run independently and can therefore be tailored to individuals’ requirements. Whether you are a complete novice or have years of experience, you will learn the principles of current industry best practice and how to apply them in a pragmatic way at the level you are working, alongside a variety of suitable techniques and methods.
Each course ends in an independent assessment by an approved City & Guilds NPTC Assessor.
Foundation Training Courses – No Previous Experience or Qualifications Required.
Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting
To operate a chainsaw in a work place you are required by law to hold a certificate of competence. Successful completion of this course and assessment will give you that certificate. The training covers: background knowledge expected of a competent operator; Personal Protective Equipment required; how to maintain the power unit of the chainsaw using basic tools; how to maintain the chain and bar for optimum cutting; how to check the chainsaw and ensure it is compliant; how to handle and operate the saw in the most safe and efficient way; how to assess and cut branches and timber.
You will need: PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, hard hat, ear and eye protection, gloves, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size, recommended 15” (380mm) guide bar; maintenance tools required for the saw (filing kit, combi-spanner, etc; fuel and chain oil in approved containers.
Assessment Title – 003920 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting
Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Anyone carrying out tree work off the ground must by law be supported by someone trained, competent, and equipped to rescue them. This course covers: the background knowledge expected of a competent climber and rescue climber; how to select, inspect, maintain, and use different climbing equipment; basic tree condition assessment; the principles behind how to access and move around the crown of a tree; different methods to rescue an incapacitated climber; how to access and rescue an incapacitated climber from a pole with no branches.
You will need: climbing equipment complying with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, to include a tree climbing specific harness, ropes, karabiners, friction devices, etc. (a recommended equipment list is available on request, please ask if you require any help or advice purchasing new equipment); climbing specific hardhat with chin strap; boots with ankle support; climbing spikes.
Assessment Title – 003922 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Successive Training Courses
Requires Previous Experience and the Successful Completion of Preceding Certificates of Competence
Fell Small Trees (prerequisite – Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting)
Where space permits, such as a woodland or large garden, felling a tree in one is often the safest and quickest method to remove a tree. This course covers: the background knowledge expected of a competent cutter; assessing tree condition; choosing the most suitable felling cut; different felling cuts for different conditions; how to deal with a tree hung-up in another tree; processing, moving and stacking timber.
You will need: PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, hard hat, ear and eye protection, gloves, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size, recommended 15” (380mm) guide bar; maintenance tools required for the saw (filing kit, combi-spanner, etc; fuel and chain oil in approved containers; and a felling lever.
Assessment Title – 003921 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 380mm
Use of a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness (prerequisites: Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting; Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue; Fell Small Trees)
Using a chainsaw up a tree not only introduces the risk of accidentally cutting the ropes holding you up there but also drastically increases the consequences of any level of accident, such as slipping while cutting. This course builds on the prerequisites and covers: communicating with the ground crew; starting a saw in the tree; handling the saw in the tree; a variety of different cuts; pruning cuts; and the basic principles of pruning trees.
You will need: climbing equipment complying with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, to include a tree climbing specific harness, ropes, karabiners, friction devices, etc. (a recommended equipment list is available on request); climbing specific hardhat with chin strap; PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, ear and eye protection, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); top handled or rear handled chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size; fuel and chain oil; pruning handsaw.
Assessment Title – 003923 City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness
Tree Pruning – Reductions and Thinning (prerequisites: Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting; Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue; Fell Small Trees; Use of Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness)
Being able to reduce a tree well and understand the impacts is arguably what distinguishes a proficient arborist from a mediocre tree surgeon. Understanding the science of hormone-controlled growth, species differences, and anatomical features to effect a reduction in wind-loading whilst maintaining a species-specific crown outline is an exceptional skill and artform. This requires an attitude of lifelong learning but a training in the basic principles and signposting for further development will accelerate this learning. This course covers: the specifications of work to current best practice; species differences and tolerances to pruning; different pruning treatments for different purposes; planning the operation; carrying out the pruning operation; the fundamentals relating to anatomical and physiological effects of pruning.
You will need: climbing equipment complying with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, to include a tree climbing specific harness, ropes, karabiners, friction devices, etc. (a recommended equipment list is available on request); climbing specific hardhat with chin strap; : PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, ear and eye protection, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); top handled or rear handled chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size; fuel and chain oil; pruning handsaw.
Assessment Title – 003931 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Aerial Tree Pruning
Dismantling and Rigging (prerequisites: Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting; Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue; Fell Small Trees; Use of Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness)
Taking a tree down in sections in a controlled way using ropes and pulleys requires absolute focus, situational awareness, strategic planning, and a calculating mind, all while moving around the tree operating a chainsaw. There are many variables to take into account; one cubic metre of Spruce can weigh 500kg while the same volume of Beech can weigh 1,270kg. A stem section of Beech 1m long and 35cm diameter can weigh approximately 100kg, dropping this into an impact block will easily generate a force in excess of 1,000kg. Understanding these forces goes a long way to avoiding failure of the equipment or the tree. Understanding these forces builds confidence in the abilities and limits of the equipment. Building confidence in the tree and equipment means focus can be given to the operation itself. This course covers: selection and compatibility of rigging equipment; theoretical forces involved in different rigging situations; tree inspection for expected forces; site layout; climber positioning; anchor point strengths and selection; different rigging scenarios, techniques, and setups; actual forces encountered in different rigging scenarios.
You will need: climbing equipment complying with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), to include a tree climbing specific harness, ropes, karabiners, friction devices, etc. (a recommended equipment list is available on request); climbing specific hardhat with chin strap; PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, ear and eye protection, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); top handled or rear handled chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size; fuel and chain oil; pruning handsaw; rigging equipment complying with LOLER, including impact block, rigging rope, strops, slings, friction bollard. Rigging equipment can also be hired.
Assessment Title – 003932 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Aerial Tree Rigging
Fell Medium Trees (prerequisites: Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-cutting; Fell Small Trees)
As trees increase in size the basic principles of felling remain consistent but the methods change. Large trees require different techniques and skills to fell. Winching becomes necessary to roll trees. Whilst applicable to arboriculture this is primarily a forestry based course. This course will cover: felling cuts using techniques to cut trees twice the width of the guide bar; use of a winch to turn and roll trees.
You will need: PPE (chainsaw protective boots and trousers, hard hat, ear and eye protection, gloves, first aid kit including haemostatic dressing); chainsaw complying with current best practice and suitable size, recommended 15” (380mm) guide bar; maintenance tools required for the saw (filing kit, combi-spanner, etc; fuel and chain oil in approved containers; a felling lever; high-lift wedges and sledge hammer; winch with suitable strops.
Assessment Title – 003933 City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate of Competence in Felling and Processing Medium Trees over 380mm and up to 760mm
Refresher and Update Training
As experiences develop and evolve, so does industry best practice. Maintaining current and up-to-date skills and knowledge is not only a good concept but a requirement of the Health and Safety Executive. ArbAdvice can help achieve compliance with update and refresher training.
