Fast Track & training feedback

Our first six week fast track tree surgery course has now been completed, & we are very pleased with how it all went, we will be adding info & feedback here from ourselves and our clients to give you more insight into this exciting course.

Peter one of our first trainees had this to say;

My name is Peter Pickard; I attended the 6 week fast track tree surgery course on the 15th February 2010. The course is second to none, what Andrew and Caroline have organised is genius, to become a Tree Climber in such a short time is astonishing. I have been through my education, achieved the usual GCSE’s, A-Levels, Foundation Degree in Outdoor Leisure Management to which I converted to a full BA Honours Degree in Education Studies. However this does not mean that I found the course easy, the climbing side is particularly stressful, perfectly achievable though.

The course itself is comprised up of the CS units, our schedule started with the CS30, 31 and 32 in the first two weeks accompanied by some lovely cold snowy conditions. Brushwood Chipper and First aid followed in the third week, CS 38, 39 and 40 in the fourth and fifth week and MEWP in the sixth week. The ISA theory days were intermixed throughout the course. The key to success is your commitment and only you can determine how much you want those tickets. You will not be a top notch Tree Climber in just six weeks however you will be many steps closer, the more practice you have and the more time you spend in the saddle is what will make you a confident and professional Tree Climber.

The first challenge that you will face is meeting your instructors/assessors for the duration of your course. They will keep lots of pressure on you and train you 110% of what is required for you to be a success. Also if you are lucky and sociable then you will enjoy many drinks at the local pubs, along with the talent. Particularly I have heard great things about Wednesday nights at the Black Lion Pub. (Just ask Andrew). 

If you are fortunate enough to be able to stay at Ty’r Cae Bed and Breakfast then you will be very well looked after and extremely well fed. (Malcolm makes a mean Full English Breakfast) Both Malcolm and Sandy are two of the kindest people you could ask for, the other member of their family that you will have the pleasure to meet is Daisy, one of the soppiest dogs I have ever met. The accommodation that Dave (the other person on the course with me) and I stayed in was superb, it was self contained comprising of two bedrooms, one double and one single, bathroom and a living room/ dining room. When it came to deciding on the rooms it comes down to flipping a coin, that simple, I think you can tell that I won the flip. 

Brechfa is a very small village with one community shop, gossip spreads very quickly here so best behaviour is needed. The nearest supermarket is 12 miles away in Carmarthen. There is ‘NO’ night life unless you travel to Swansea, which is a fair trek. Unfortunately you will have to bring entertainment with you.

Overall this is an amazing opportunity and a very well planned course, well worth the time, money and the welsh humour. Just listen to everything that Andrew and the majority of what Chris has to say and you will not go wrong.  One last bit of advice, take an extra pair of shoes, just in case you encounter Cody; all will become clear when you meet him.Good Luck with the course, it will be six weeks of your life that you will not want to forget along with the friends that you make.

Dave also gave us his feedback;

After first meeting Andrew and Caroline, straight away i felt confident about the course and knew i was going to learn quite a bit over the coming weeks, i was in good hands (could get locked up for that).  
The course was set out very professionally and although there is alot to take in over the 6 weeks, the timetable allowed for breaks in between more practical courses and allowed the body (and mind) a break. There is alot of information to take in in such a short time. The most you need is practice in all units, and you will get that.

The first two weeks were set in the forests and it covered Units 30/31/32. It was hard work up there in the snow. We were encouraged (not pushed) to only acheive the best and if it wasn't good enough then we were told, simple as that! Its just about practice and learning to find faults in your own cutting.
After 2 weeks in the forest, there was a mild week covering Chipper, First Aid and ISA, so it was pretty easy on the body after 2 tough weeks in the woods. It also gave me a break before the climbing 2 weeks (which was the toughest for myself).
By this time, you will know what both Andrew and Chris will expect from you in further assessments, its not pressure as they want you to do well too.
CS38/39/40 followed that, which one again was all about the practice and getting confidence in yourself and your kit. We were pointed in the right direction at all times and when things get difficult, Chris got into the tree to show you the ropes (pardon the pun...). There was times when i thought about giving up the climbing, but im glad i went thru with it now.
Now, all i gotta do is practice everything i've learned and put it into good, safe practice and keep building confidence. It was also encouraged to try several different types of equipment, be it Harnesses, Ropes, Saws. As dumb as it sounds, you'll be amazed at the preference (even as a novice).
We also had perfect weather for all if the training, which helped immensly. (Thanks for orgainising that Andrew)
After the climbing, all that was left was MEWP and ISA days, which brought an easy enough end to the 6 weeks. The ISA days are well put together (even though they are tough going) and you will come away from it a little wiser. Nick Thomas is a very very knowledgable man in this area and his help is greatly appreciated.
But as with the climbing, the effort has to be put in, no one else can do it for you!!
 
As for the B & B (Ty'r Cae), all i can say is "you would'nt get this treatment at home!!!" You'll never go hungry, you'll never be given a bad meal. Malcolm and Sandy were perfect hosts for 6 weeks and a good laugh and theres also Daisy, the soppy house dog. The rooms are cosy, clean and bed is comfortable. The facilities are good, there's room to make your owns lunches etc... Its all laid out and made easy.
My only recommendation would be to bring a mountain bike for the weekends (Theres a trail 1 mile away) or a few bottles of whiskey to keep you sane. Theres a pub a couple of mile down the road, Louise puts on a good spread...What i wouldn't do for a few pints of Goldrush or Cwru now..(You know what i mean Andrew). 
 
If anyone has any doubts about doing this course, forget about them. You will be in the best hands on and off the course. All the way thru the course, nothing was ever too much trouble to anyone involved, weather it was socialising or course/equipment related.
If anyone needs to contact me about the course (in case any of this doesnt make sense), just give me an email or a call, i'll be happy to talk to anyone about it. dave38butler@gmail.com



I would like to say a big thanks for all your help before and through-out my CS38/39 traning and assessment.
as you prob know we all passed, and i am so pleased i will recommend proclimber to everyone as the quality of service was second to none for the admin, training and the assessment.
ps, also the shop for the 25m rope and helmet.
please give a big thanks to andrew and chris,
they both made us feel at ease and relaxed with the training and assessment, more on the assessment side as its a test,
you always feel a bit nervous, but not yesterday 
a massive thanks,

Martyn Amos


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