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NPTC Award in Felling and Processing Small TreesApply Now »
Location: Broomfield Hall
Years: 1
Weeks: 1
Hours: 18.00
Start: Roll On Roll Off - Contact Us
Days / Times: Contact Us
Tuition (£): 330.00*
Exams (£): 140.00**
Interview: N
Course Summary
Current legislation states that all those required to undertake chainsaw felling operations on small trees (trees with a basal diameter of less than 380mm) must be appropriately trained and qualified. The training course offered by Derby College equips candidates to undertake an industry-compliant ‘Certificate of Competence’ assessment.
Entry requirements
You will need to be aged at least 18 and you must hold a ‘Certificate of Competence’ in the following units:
- Award in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting
Verification of this unit must be produced prior to the start of the course.
Course Content
The course will cover:
- An understanding of the legislation and health and safety requirements governing the undertaking of a tree felling operation
- The practical skills to undertake safe and efficient small tree felling operations, completing a range of different cuts for different scenarios
- The practical skills required for the safe and efficient removal of a ‘hung-up’ tree
- The practical skills required for the ‘break-down’ of a felled tree and its cross-cutting into specific timber lengths
How will I be assessed?
External assessment leading to certification should take place as soon as possible following the successful completion of the training course. NPTC assessments are organised through Derbyshire Landskills.
Are there any additional costs or specialist equipment required?
All specialist safety clothing, chainsaws and ancillary tools can be provided by the College, for which a fee will be charged.
Candidates may use their own chainsaw providing that it complies with current legislation.
Please note that equipment is not available for hire for the assessment. You will therefore need to have other arrangements in place for your assessment.
It is recommended that candidates do not purchase specialist equipment prior to the course. During the training, advice on the purchase of all specialist equipment will be offered by the course instructor.
What can I do after this course?
Derby College offers a range of one-day, weekend and evening courses relating to Forestry and Tree Surgery, as well as a wide range of other land-based topics - please see the Derby College Part-time Prospectus for a full list and details.
Did you find the course information on this page useful?
* Tuition - This figure is the tuition fee to be paid - There are no concessionary fees available.
** Exam - This fee is to cover the cost of registration with the relevant awarding body.
Andrew Patterson
Tree surgeon who trained at Broomfield seeks Derby College arboriculture student
Tree surgeon Andrew Patterson is looking to take on an arboriculture student from Derby College after Broomfield Hall's tree surgery course changed his life.
Andrew – who is known as Drew at work – owns Tree Hugger and Son, which also employs his son Ross, another former Broomfield student.
Drew set up the family business, which operates across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, after completing the forestry and arboriculture diploma at Derby College in 2005.
He said: "Ideally I would like someone who has nearly completed the Broomfield course and I have considered offering an apprenticeship to the right person."
Now 53, Drew discovered arboriculture by chance. At the age of 40 he'd been planning to give up his job as a postmaster and retrain as an electrician, but the college he had applied to had cancelled the course.
Fortunately he happened to see a poster advertising an open day at Broomfield –and after spotting someone swinging in a tree, he decided there and then that tree surgery was for him, even though he didn't like heights.
Inspired by his dad, Ross, now 28, took the same Broomfield course a couple of years later and is now junior partner.
My lecturers – David Frost, Simon Hunt and Sally were brilliant. David helped me get over my fear of heights and Simon and Sally taught me everything I needed to know about tree root underpinning.
Tree surgery can be a challenging career. I'm in my early fifties now but I'm in good shape. I'm a martial arts instructor so I've kept myself fit. You need good levels of fitness in this job.
It can be back breaking work but if you don't mind getting a few nicks, bruises and rashes and being outside in all weathers, it's one of the best jobs you could ever ask for.
