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Knowing you need a chainsaw qualification is one thing. Working out which chainsaw course to book is something else entirely. It is easy to get lost in course names, NPTC units and old CS30 or CS31 codes, especially if you are new to the industry.
The Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course is a combined chainsaw course that brings together maintenance, cross cutting and small tree felling in one structured block of NPTC chainsaw training in Preston. This guide walks through what the course actually involves, who it suits and when it makes sense to choose the combination route instead of separate chainsaw courses.
The Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course is a five-day training programme followed by one day of independent assessment, usually with a maximum of two candidates per course. It is designed as a combination route that leads to two separate NPTC Level 2 Certificates of Competence: one in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting and one in Felling and Processing of Small Trees.
Put simply, it is aimed at people who need both of the core ground-based chainsaw units and would rather complete them together than split their training over several different dates. All our chainsaw training and forestry courses take place in Preston, in an ideal location for learners from across Lancashire and the North West, and the Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course reflects the way real work builds from maintenance and cross cutting to felling and processing.
If you prefer, the same NPTC units can be taken separately through our standalone Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting and Felling and Processing of Small Trees courses. The combination course simply packages them into one continuous week of training and assessment.
The Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course is built around the real tasks that ground-based operators carry out day to day. Over the week, training in the classroom, yard and woodland gradually builds confidence and practical skill.
By the end of the course, you will have covered:
The week mirrors the flow of real work. You start with the saw itself, then use those maintenance and cross cutting skills to handle timber on the deck before progressing to complete felling cycles. This integrated approach reflects the Health and Safety Executive’s Chainsaws at work guidance, which stresses the importance of combining suitable training with safe working practices.
Although the course is open to people at different stages of their careers, it is built around the needs of those who expect to use a chainsaw regularly on the ground as part of their job.
Typical situations include:
The course assumes no formal chainsaw qualifications, although a reasonable level of physical fitness and the ability to work outdoors in all weathers are important. It can also serve as the first step in your journey to becoming a tree surgeon.
There is no single right path for everyone, but there are clear situations where the Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course is likely to be the best fit.
It is usually the strongest choice when:
A combined chainsaw course also avoids repeating the same introductory safety content in multiple separate bookings. Once the basics are covered, the group can move forward together into more advanced practical tasks.
All chainsaw training and forestry courses with Great Oaks are delivered from our training centre in Preston, serving learners from across Lancashire and the wider North West. That means less time travelling and more time learning, whether you are local or coming in from further afield.
A typical Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course looks like this:
Candidates are expected to bring their own PPE that meets current standards, including chainsaw protective trousers, boots, gloves and a suitable forestry helmet, all in good condition. Chainsaws can sometimes be rented by prior arrangement, provided they meet safety requirements on arrival.
Is the Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course suitable for complete beginners?
Yes. There are no formal chainsaw prerequisites for the course, and many people use it as their first step into professional chainsaw work. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and confidence working outdoors, but the training assumes you are new to NPTC chainsaw qualifications.
What qualifications will I have at the end of the course?
If you successfully complete the assessments, you will gain two NPTC Level 2 Certificates of Competence: one in Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting and one in Felling and Processing Trees up to 380 mm. These are the modern equivalents of the old CS30 and CS31 units and are widely recognised by employers across tree surgery and forestry.
How does this relate to CS30 and CS31?
The older CS30 and CS31 units have been replaced by updated NPTC qualifications, but they cover very similar ground. If you see references to CS30 as maintenance and cross cutting and CS31 as small tree felling, those roughly align with the units delivered through the Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course.
Do I have to bring my own saw and PPE?
You will need to bring your own PPE from a reputable supplier, including chainsaw protective trousers, chainsaw boots, gloves and an appropriate helmet. Chainsaws may be rented in some cases, but any saw used on the course must be in good working order and meet safety standards.
How physically demanding is the course?
Expect five full days outdoors, often on uneven or sloping ground, moving timber, handling a chainsaw and working in all kinds of weather. You need sufficient fitness to complete training and assessment tasks safely.
Is this enough to start working as a ground-based chainsaw operator?
For many entry level roles, the combination of these two NPTC certificates, on top of a suitable first aid qualification and on site supervision, is enough to begin working as a ground-based chainsaw operator. Competence is an ongoing process, so it is important to keep practising, refresh training at sensible intervals and log experience over time.
What are the next steps after this course if I want to climb?
If you want to move off the ground, the usual progression is into Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue, followed by Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness once you have the necessary ground-based and climbing units. Our guide to becoming a qualified chainsaw operator in Preston sets out a typical route.
The Ground-Based Chainsaw Operator course wraps two key NPTC units into one focused week in Preston, giving you a complete foundation in chainsaw maintenance, cross cutting, felling and processing small trees. For many people, it is the most efficient way to gain the qualifications and confidence needed to work safely with a chainsaw on site.
If you are weighing up the combination course against separate chainsaw courses, take a look at upcoming chainsaw courses and NPTC training in Preston, compare them with individual course options, and then get in touch with us. We can talk through your role, timescales and longer term goals, and help you choose the training route that fits you best.
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
