Quality Over Quantity:
Why We’ve Reduced Course Candidate Numbers

At Great Oaks Training, our priority has always been to deliver the highest quality training that reflects the realities of working in arboriculture and forestry. Recently, we made the decision to reduce the maximum number of candidates on most of our training courses from four to two.

This change wasn’t made lightly. It comes from listening to candidates, reflecting on industry standards, and drawing on our own experience as assessors and instructors. We want to explain why this adjustment matters and how it benefits the people who train with us.

1. More Hands-On Time

Arboriculture training is highly practical. Skills such as chainsaw maintenance, cross-cutting, felling, and aerial rescue require direct practice and not just observation. With fewer candidates in a group, each individual has significantly more time using the equipment, making the cuts, and climbing in real-world conditions. That time under instruction is what builds confidence, muscle memory, and safe working habits.

2. Focused Instruction

Reducing candidate numbers allows our instructors to give much more focused attention to each participant. Instead of splitting their time four ways, they can watch every cut, every climb, and every decision more closely. This means mistakes are spotted earlier, techniques are corrected immediately, and candidates progress faster. It also allows instructors to tailor feedback to the individual rather than delivering general guidance to the group.

3. Safer Learning Environment

Safety is always at the heart of tree work, and it’s no different in training. Working at height, using chainsaws, and managing rigging systems are all high-risk activities that demand concentration. By reducing group size, we reduce distractions and ensure that instructors can keep a close eye on everyone at all times. This not only improves learning but also makes the training environment safer for everyone involved.

4. Better Preparation for Assessment

Most of our courses lead to City & Guilds NPTC assessments, where candidates are tested individually. Training in smaller groups more closely mirrors the one-to-one assessment format. Candidates become accustomed to working independently under observation, which helps to reduce nerves and increase success rates.

5. Improved Candidate Experience

We know that for many people, training is an investment in their career and often involves taking time away from work. Smaller group sizes mean that candidates feel more supported, more valued, and more involved. There’s more opportunity to ask questions, more time to practise, and less waiting around. The result is a more rewarding experience and greater confidence when returning to the workplace.

A Commitment to Quality

Some providers run larger groups to reduce costs, some to increase profits, but at Great Oaks we believe the long-term value of training lies in quality of experience, not quantity of candidates. By reducing our maximum candidate numbers, we are ensuring that everyone who trains with us gets the most from their time, leaving not just with a certificate, but with the competence and confidence to use it safely and effectively.

Yes, our prices may sometimes be slightly higher than training centres that allow four people on a course. But our approach ensures that every candidate receives more hands-on time and more direct instructor support. Time and again, our feedback shows that this investment pays off in safer, more confident arborists who feel truly prepared for work and assessment.

And for those who want to take things even further, we also offer one-to-one training. This is the ultimate way to sharpen your skills. Personalised instruction, flexible pacing, and 100% focus on your development. Whether you’re new to the industry or an experienced arborist looking to refine specific techniques, one-to-one training ensures that no detail is overlooked.

At Great Oaks Training, our philosophy is simple: fewer candidates, higher quality, stronger results.