Newlands Training, Devon & Dorset’s leading provider in land based training, is experiencing a sharp rise in bookings and enquiries for its range of chainsaw qualifications and certificates and it’s all down to the economic downturn.

“A lot of people who have lost their jobs in the recession are looking for alternative careers and are using their redundancy pay to fund training courses. I think that the vast Dorset countryside has lead people to consider a career in arboriculture and tree surgery for which chain saw qualifications are vital. Tree surgeon’s wages start from £22,000 so you can understand why there is a surge in chain saw training” said Lesley Simpson, managing director of Newlands Training.

Those who want to embrace tree surgery after years of office based work need to gain certain specific chainsaw qualifications. All wannabe tree surgeons must achieve NPTC certificate in the following areas:

Maintenance and Cross Cutting – (NPTC UNIT 30): safety and health features of a chainsaw, maintenance, personal protective equipment; fuelling and starting a chainsaw, clearing site and chainsaw checks, performing pre-cutting checks, cross-cutting timber and adjusting the chainsaw.

Felling Small Trees up to 380 mm including Takedown of Hung-up (NPTC UNIT 31): felling demonstration, felling trees up to 380mm diameter; de-limbing of felled trees, cross cutting trunks of felled trees and takedown of hung-up trees.

Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue (old NPTC UNIT 38): climbing a tree – branch walk; rescuing a casualty from a tree; achieving a work position in a tree and using a hand saw to sever lightweight branches.

Operate a Chain Saw from a Rope and Harness (UNIT 39): this is a very comprehensive course covering legislation and safety guidelines pertaining to the use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness, understanding the safety considerations to be observed in organising the work site, carrying out pre-start checks to the chainsaw, cold and hot starting techniques, demonstrating techniques for hauling chainsaws into the tree and attaching them appropriately to the harness, using appropriate techniques for establishing secure and comfortable work positions, demonstrating the appropriate use of various step and sink cuts and correct final pruning cuts, using top-handled and lightweight rear-handled chainsaws in a safe and efficient manner, removing light and medium weight branches, understanding and fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a competent ground person.

One final chainsaw qualification required is first aid in the work place, which is a vital part of one’s own risk assessment at work as a tree surgeon. Changes to First Aid at Work Guidance and Training came into force on 1st October 2009. To ensure that your company is up to date with its first aid training Newlands Training would like to offer the first 10 people who contact Lesley Simpson on 01305 848454 a half price 3 day course, please quote FAOCTPR.

If you want to know more about becoming a tree surgeon or would like more details regarding any of the chain saw classes in Devon and Dorset please contact:

Lesley Simpson
Tel: 01305 848454
Mob: 07976 531649
Email: lesleysimpson@farmline.com

Click the link for more information on chainsaw classes