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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 also one of the most common misconceptions we come across. The truth is more straightforward than you might expect.
Several of our courses are designed with complete beginners in mind. Whether someone has never held a chainsaw in their life, or a manager needs to get a new team member qualified and working safely as quickly as possible, the right course exists. Here’s everything you need to know.
Entry-level NPTC chainsaw courses have no formal prerequisites around previous experience. You do not need to have worked in arboriculture, forestry, or grounds maintenance before enrolling. What matters is that you’re physically fit for the work and arrive with the right personal protective equipment (PPE).
The first course on the pathway, Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting, is specifically designed for people who are new to chainsaws. It starts from the ground up: how the machine works, how to maintain it, how to inspect it before use, and how to cross-cut timber safely. No assumptions are made about what you already know.
That’s a deliberate part of how we structure NPTC chainsaw courses. The qualification system is built as a progressive pathway, meaning you accumulate certificates step by step. You don’t need to know everything on day one; you just need to be ready to learn.
Before diving into course options, it’s worth understanding why chainsaw training and certification are so important. This isn’t just about ticking a box.
Under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), employers have a legal duty to ensure that anyone using a chainsaw at work has received adequate training and is competent to do so. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is explicit: by law, chainsaw operators must have received training relevant to the type of work they undertake.
In practice, that means holding a recognised City & Guilds NPTC Certificate of Competence. While people often refer to a “chainsaw licence”, there is no single licence in the way a driving licence works. Instead, competence is demonstrated by completing specific NPTC units and passing independent assessments. Most employers, insurers, and public sector procurement teams require this certification before allowing anyone to operate a chainsaw on their sites.
For anyone managing a team, this is a key point. Sending operatives to work without the relevant certificates isn’t just a compliance risk. It’s a genuine safety risk to the individuals concerned and those working around them.
The NPTC qualification system is modular. Each certificate builds on the last, giving you a clear route from complete beginner to fully qualified ground-based operator. Here’s how the progression typically looks:
This is the starting point for anyone new to chainsaws. Over two training days plus a separate assessment day, you’ll cover the inner workings of the saw, daily maintenance and inspection routines, relevant health and safety legislation, and the techniques for cross-cutting timber safely and accurately. It’s a Level 2 NPTC qualification and the essential foundation for everything that follows.
Once Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting is under your belt, you can progress to felling. This three-day course (plus assessment) covers the safe felling and processing of trees up to 380mm in diameter. You’ll work on real sites, learning to assess trees before you cut, plan your approach, and process timber once it’s on the ground.
For those who want to fast-track their ground-based qualifications, the combination course covers both of the above units across a single five-day programme, leading to two NPTC Level 2 certificates. It’s a popular choice for individuals starting a new career in arboriculture and for employers who need operatives job-ready as efficiently as possible.
From here, the pathway opens up further. Candidates can progress into aerial work, including Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue, and eventually to using a chainsaw from a rope and harness. For those thinking about becoming a tree surgeon, these ground-based qualifications are the essential first step.
One of the things that makes a genuine difference to how quickly beginners progress is the learning environment. Courses with large groups, rushed practical sessions, or instructors who assume too much prior knowledge can leave new candidates feeling underprepared.
At Great Oaks, we deliberately keep our course numbers small. Most run with a maximum of two candidates. That means more time on the tools, more one-to-one guidance from the instructor, and closer supervision during the practical elements that really matter. It’s a meaningfully different experience from larger group courses.
Our instructors have worked at senior levels in the arboriculture and forestry industries. Tom, our Senior Technical Instructor, brings over 17 years of experience including time at Westonbirt, the National Arboretum, and holds NPTC Assessor status. Jason, our Director, has Qualified Teacher Status and built the Great Oaks training programme from his background as a lecturer and practising arborist. This means that you’re not learning from someone who’s simply passed the right exams. Instead, you’re learning from people who have done this work at the highest levels.
Before your course begins, you’ll also get access to our exclusive online e-learning portal. It includes purpose-built workbooks and video guides tailored to your specific course, so you arrive prepared and make the most of your practical time. Access continues after qualification, giving you a resource to revisit as you build confidence on the job.
In terms of what to bring: you’ll need your own PPE. That includes chainsaw-rated trousers or chaps, safety boots, gloves, a helmet with visor, and ear defenders. Full details are confirmed at the point of booking, and our team is always happy to advise if you’re unsure what you need.
For some individuals, a standard group course (even a small one) isn’t the right fit. Perhaps the pace needs to be different, there’s a specific technique that needs work, or the situation simply calls for complete flexibility around scheduling and content.
Our one-to-one training option offers exactly that. Every hour is focused entirely on the candidate’s needs, with no shared attention and a programme shaped around their starting point and goals. It’s used by complete beginners who want extra support, and by experienced operators who need to sharpen specific skills ahead of assessment or a new contract.
For employers sending an individual team member for training, it’s also a practical solution when group course dates don’t align with operational schedules.
Do I need to bring my own chainsaw?
No. All chainsaws and cutting equipment are provided as part of the course. The only thing candidates need to supply is their own PPE.
How long does it take to get qualified?
The Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting course is two training days plus a separate assessment day. The combination Ground Based Chainsaw Operator course runs over five days plus assessment, giving you two NPTC certificates in a single week of training. Most candidates find this a manageable timeframe, and the e-learning portal helps them prepare beforehand so no time on site is wasted.
Is this a stepping stone to a career in arboriculture?
Absolutely. Ground-based chainsaw qualifications are the recognised entry point for anyone looking to work in arboriculture or forestry. A full overview of the qualifications involved is available in our guide to tree surgery qualifications. From here, candidates can build towards aerial work, specialist contracts, and more advanced roles in tree surgery and land management.
Will my certificate be recognised by employers?
Yes. City & Guilds NPTC Certificates of Competence are the industry standard across the UK, recognised by employers, insurers, local authorities, and infrastructure contractors. The HSE’s guidance on training and competence confirms that NPTC certification meets the legal requirement for chainsaw operator competence under PUWER.
Can I train if I’m based outside Preston?
Yes. Our training centre is based in Preston, Lancashire, with practical felling sessions taking place on sites within a short drive. We regularly welcome candidates from across Lancashire, the wider North West, and beyond. Flexible start dates mean it’s straightforward to plan around work and travel commitments.
There’s no good reason to put off getting qualified. Whether you’re starting from zero or looking to get a team member certified quickly and to a high standard, Great Oaks Training has a course designed for the job.
Our City & Guilds NPTC qualifications, small course sizes, and instructors with real industry experience mean you won’t just pass the assessment: you’ll finish the course genuinely prepared for the work ahead.
Take a look at our available dates and book a chainsaw course, or get in touch with the Great Oaks team directly if you’d like to talk through the right option for you or your organisation.
01772 369694
training@greatoakstreeservices.co.uk
Contact us online
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
