After leaving the Royal Marines earlier in the year, the fast track course
by proclimber helped me to retrain as a tree surgeon and secure work
straight away. If you respond well to intense learning, working hard and
most importantly, have a good sense of humour, then this is the course for
you.
Ben Scoble
I first met Andrew and Caroline Lewis a few months prior to the start of the Fast track course. I found them to be very friendly, kind and helpful people. They have a great sense of humour and are always up for a laugh. All my questions regarding the course and all related information were answered on the spot and in depth. I left feeling very confident and satisfied that the course was right for me and that I was in good hands.
The course start date came round quickly and before I knew it I was there and meeting all my fellow trainees. The first day was chainsaw maintenance (CS30), and then it was into the woods for the further 2 weeks (CS31, CS32). I found the felling and forestry part of the course really interesting. The instructors are really helpful and friendly and they always let you know how you are progressing and when to concentrate more on certain aspects of your training.
The third and fourth weeks where taken up with chipper, MEWP training and some theory days. These are really useful days, where you will learn all about the biology, conservation, diagnosing of tree ailments and all the legislation behind tree work. The fourth and fifth weeks where all about climbing (CS38, CS39, and CS40) and the training turns from forestry based to Arb based work. The climbing training is quite full on and is very fast paced, you will get all the help you need from the Instructors but you need to be really switched on and willing to learn. When you then take a chainsaw into the tree things get really tricky and you need to be concentrating hard to get the cuts right, and make sure everything is done safely. The last week was taken up with the climbing assessments, and a few theory days.
To some up I was very happy with my training and the whole way the course was laid out. You need to be as open as possible with your Instructors and if you find yourself struggling with certain areas, don’t be afraid to ask for help. As the Instructors are more than willing to give you all the help, advice and training you need. If you are fit, healthy, willing to learn, have a good hard working attitude and a good sense of humour, you will do well and really enjoy the course. The accommodation provided was brilliant. The place we were staying had a good sized fridge, SKY, Wi-Fi and was only a short drive from the shops. I’d like to say a big thanks to Andrew, Caroline, the other Instructors/Assessors Chris Hill & Chris Chester, and Amanda our host.
If anyone has any queries regarding the course or want to hear from someone who has been on it then please email me at tomwhithouse@hotmail.co.uk
Thomas Whithouse
