There Is No Such Thing as an NPTC Approved Training Centre

Ground based chainsaw work during an NPTC course

Search for chainsaw courses anywhere in the UK and you will see the same phrase again and again: “NPTC approved training centre”. It appears in page titles and course descriptions across the industry. There is one problem with it. No such approval exists. If you are choosing a course, or booking training for your operatives, […]

Arborist Course or Tree Surgeon Course: Which Route Is Right?

Tree surgeon with harness

Arborist Course or Tree Surgeon Course: Which Route Is Right? If you are looking for training in tree work, it is easy to get stuck on the wording. Some people search for an arborist course. Others look for a tree surgeon course, tree surgery training, arboriculture training or chainsaw qualifications. In practice, the right course […]

From Grounds Maintenance to Arboriculture: How to Make the Move

From Grounds Maintenance to Arboriculture: How to Make the Move Grounds maintenance can be a strong starting point for a career in arboriculture. If you already work outdoors, use practical equipment and understand how sites operate, you may have a useful foundation for moving into more specialist tree work. That does not mean the move […]

Tree Climbing Courses: When to Move Into Aerial Work

Tree Climbing Courses: When to Move Into Aerial Work For many people starting a career in tree surgery, climbing is the stage they are most interested in. It is also one of the stages where timing matters most. Tree climbing is not just about confidence at height. It involves rope and harness systems, rescue planning, […]

How to Become a Tree Surgeon in the UK

Senior instructor Tom at the Great Oaks training centre

How to Become a Tree Surgeon in the UK Tree surgery can be a rewarding career if you enjoy practical outdoor work, problem-solving and working as part of a skilled team. It is also a role where training matters. Tree surgeons use specialist equipment, often in challenging environments, so employers need to know that you […]

Great Oaks Expands Arboriculture Training with New MEWP Qualifications

Aerial work platforms (MEWP)

Great Oaks Expands Arboriculture Training with New MEWP Qualifications Great Oaks is adding two new City & Guilds NPTC qualifications to its arboriculture course programme, both focused on the safe use of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs). The new courses are designed for arborists, contractors and grounds maintenance teams who need recognised competence for MEWP […]

Can You Start Chainsaw Training with No Experience?

Can You Start Chainsaw Training with No Experience? Most people assume you need some kind of background in trees, forestry, or groundswork before you can walk into a chainsaw course. It’s an understandable assumption. After all, a chainsaw is a powerful piece of equipment and the stakes of getting things wrong are serious. But it’s […]

How to Choose an Approved NPTC Assessor

How to Choose an Approved NPTC Assessor Choosing an approved NPTC assessor should be simple. In practice, it can feel anything but. Availability, paperwork, independence rules, verification cycles and inconsistent submissions can all add friction, especially when you are coordinating multiple candidates and sites. This guide gives you a practical way to select the right […]

How to Book an NPTC Assessment: Checklist

Candidate practising cross cutting on the training site

How to Book an NPTC Assessment: Checklist Booking an NPTC assessment should be simple. Yet it often drags because of small unknowns: which unit is needed, what paperwork must be submitted, whether the site is suitable, or how to plan a group day without delays. This checklist removes the uncertainty. It shows you exactly what […]