Tree work07884 274693Training01772 369694
You know you need chainsaw training. However, there’s still one key question: which chainsaw course do I need for the work actually carry out? Job titles rarely tell the whole story, and the rules around NPTC chainsaw qualifications, legal responsibilities and insurance requirements can feel confusing.
In this guide we break down typical day-to-day tasks and match them to the right NPTC units, so you can choose training that keeps people safe and sites compliant. By the end, you will know exactly which chainsaw course fits your role and be ready to book a chainsaw course that reflects the real work you do.
City & Guilds NPTC units are designed as building blocks, so you can start with ground based work and then progress to aerial chainsaw operations as your role develops. At the simplest level, an NPTC certificate of competence shows that an independent assessor has confirmed you can carry out specific chainsaw tasks to industry standards.
For most people who work on the ground, the journey begins with:
If your role involves working off the ground, the next stage is climbing and aerial work. That usually means:
Taken together, these aerial units form the core of a modern arborist’s skill set. They are also increasingly expected for higher risk roles near utilities and infrastructure where work often takes place above ground level.
Training is not a one off. Under PUWER, employers must keep people competent, not just trained once, which is why structured refresher training is so important.
| Job role | Typical tasks | Recommended Great Oaks courses |
|---|---|---|
| Groundworker on construction / civils sites | Site clearance, felling small trees, cutting stems to length | Ground based route built around chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting and felling and processing of small trees, or a combination course. |
| Landscaper / grounds maintenance | Garden and amenity trees, storm damage, light dismantling from the ground | Ground based units as above, with safe use of a manually fed woodchipper where arisings are chipped on site. |
| Estates, facilities and grounds teams | Estate tree work, path and car park clearance, storm response | Ground based units via a combination course, woodchipper training where needed, plus periodic refresher training tailored to your tasks. |
| Vegetation management near utilities / infrastructure | Clearance along rail, highways and power lines, sectional dismantling at height | Ground based units first, then aerial units in tree climbing and aerial rescue and using a chainsaw at height, plus woodchipper training for efficient clearance. |
| Trainee tree surgeon / arborist | Full range of pruning and dismantling, regular aerial work | Full pathway from ground based units through tree climbing and aerial rescue to using a chainsaw aloft, with regular refresher training to keep evidence of competence current. |
Even with the right role in mind, you might still ask yourself which course is right for you. The answer depends on where you are starting from.
If you are new to chainsaws, the priority is safe habits and confidence.
You will usually:
Guidance on chainsaw protective equipment and suitability shapes how we prepare you, from PPE to fitness and awareness of site risks.
If you have used a saw for years but never taken NPTC assessment, the focus is turning experience into recognised competence.
Training for this group:
Where you need a very focused approach, one-to-one chainsaw training can be the most efficient way to align your real work with assessment standards.
If you want to move from ground based work into climbing, the foundations must be in place first:
You then progress to tree climbing and aerial rescue, followed by using a chainsaw from a rope and harness. HSE’s advice on tree work at height explains why this step-by-step route matters.
Competence fades if skills are not used. Many organisations follow Forestry England’s lead on chainsaw training and refresher expectations, building in refresher training every few years or after changes in role.
Refresher sessions are especially valuable if you are:
At Great Oaks, we train from our Preston training centre, using realistic woodland and work environments so candidates practise on real trees, with real site layouts. That makes it easier to transfer skills straight back to live jobs across the North West.
Our instructors and assessors have spent many years operating chainsaws in commercial, estate and arboricultural roles. They are familiar with HSE guidance on chainsaws at work and PUWER, and they explain not only what the rules say, but how that looks on a busy site.
Group sizes are kept sensible so there is time for demonstration, practice and individual feedback. Candidates can bring questions about their own equipment, clients and procedures and get clear, practical answers.
Every chainsaw course is structured around specific City & Guilds NPTC units. We focus on:
Candidates leave knowing what to expect at assessment, rather than walking in unsure of what will be asked.
We provide well maintained saws and equipment that meet current standards, and we guide candidates on PPE requirements in line with HSE advice and your internal policies. Training areas are set up to mirror real work while keeping control measures clear and robust.
It is often helpful to see training as a pathway rather than a one-off course. Here are example routes you can adapt.
For people who only pick up a saw now and again:
Ground-based NPTC unit in chainsaw maintenance and cross-cutting
Add felling and processing of small trees only if they fell trees as a regular part of their role
Schedule refresher training at sensible intervals
This keeps occasional users safe and compliant without overloading them with extra units.
For teams that use chainsaws frequently:
Use a combination course so operators complete both key ground-based units in a single, joined-up programme
Add safe use of a manually fed woodchipper where arisings are chipped on site
Build in refresher training to keep records and skills current
For people following a full tree surgery pathway:
Ground phase: chainsaw maintenance and cross cutting plus felling and processing of small trees or a combination course
Access phase: tree climbing and aerial rescue
Aerial cutting phase: using a chainsaw from a rope and harness
Ongoing: refresher training tailored to aerial work
For rail, highways and utilities work:
Train a core of ground based operators via a combination course
Take key staff through tree climbing and aerial rescue and using a chainsaw from a rope and harness
Ensure each team has at least one person with recent refresher training that reflects the risks of those routes
Add woodchipper training to keep sites clear and reduce manual handling
Tip: Where your needs sit outside these patterns, targeted one-to-one chainsaw training can solve specific issues, such as preparing a key person for assessment or addressing a pattern of incidents.
Do I need a chainsaw licence in the UK?
While there is no official chainsaw licence, organisations expect NPTC chainsaw qualifications backed by current training and suitable experience. That is how you demonstrate competence under health and safety law.
Which units do I need if I only work on the ground?
Most ground based roles need:
How often should I take refresher training?
There is no single rule for everyone, but many organisations follow a cycle of several years, or sooner where:
Refresher training should reflect the work you actually do, whether that is ground based, aerial or a mix.
What PPE do I need?
For typical NPTC chainsaw courses you will need chainsaw trousers, chainsaw boots, an appropriate helmet with visor and hearing protection, suitable gloves and outdoor clothing. If you are unsure what you already have, we can advise before you book.
Now’s the time to get started. If you already know which route you want to go down, you can book your chainsaw course today via our website. You can even spread the cost using Klarna, making it more affordable to take one of our NPTC-aligned courses.
Still need more advice? We’re here to help! Simply get in touch with us, and we can help you to determine the right chainsaw course for your needs. You can call us on 01772 369694, email training@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk, or use the contact form below to get the ball rolling.
Our Training Centre in Preston is ideally placed for learners across Lancashire and the North West.
We regularly train candidates from:
Preston
Blackpool
Chorley
Lancaster
Blackburn
Southport
Courses take place in real woodland environments and are led by instructors with years of field and teaching experience.
Great Oaks Tree Services & Training Academy is based in Kirkham, near Preston, and delivers NPTC chainsaw courses to learners across the North West. Whether you’re searching for chainsaw training in Lancashire or need certification near Preston, we’re your trusted training provider.
01772 369694 ✉️ training@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
01772 369694 ✉️ training@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
Careers
Climbing, grounds maintenance and utility work.Climbing, grounds and utility work.
Arboricultural Association Approved Contractor.
Last minuteAvailability
Starts Monday 19 October 2026
3 days plus 1 for assessment
£9671 place
Entry requirements: Ground Based Chainsaw Operator and Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
Book this date, Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and HarnessOr call the training office on 01772 369694
