Which Tree Surgery Qualification is Best to Start With? - Tree Care Training
If you hope for a career as a tree surgeon it will help to obtain relevant certifications before you apply for your first job. If you're like a lot of aspiring arborists though you're probably wondering which tree surgery qualification is the best to start with? In this brief guide the team at DTE Academy answer that important question.
Which Tree Surgery Qualification to Start With
A lot of people will suggest you start with ISA Certified Arborist training. ISA in this case stands for International Society of Arboriculture and it is they who design the course and certify those who complete it successfully.
However, ISA certification requires up to 3 years of prior experience in arboriculture or a degree in a related field. Those bars can be difficult for a lot of first-timers to clear so instead we would suggest you start with something like our City & Guilds NPTC Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross-Cutting course. This course will teach you the basics of operating a chainsaw and performing cross-cuts, which are a staple of the tree surgeon's arsenal.
You might also consider signing up for our NPTC Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue Course which teaches participants best practices for executing an aerial rescue of an injured or incapacitated colleague. Since basic first aid will likely be required by those executing such rescues it would be in your interest to take a basic first aid course before signing up for the Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue Course.
Can I Really Become an Arborist Without ISA Certification?
Yes. ISA certification is not required to start your tree surgery career. However, not obtaining it will likely limit your job opportunities at some point. Perhaps not when you are first starting out, but in time when you want to advance in your career.
Conclusion
Before you start applying for jobs as an arborist or tree surgeon it would help you immensely to obtain some form of relevant qualification. While ISA certification is often mentioned as a prerequisite for becoming a tree surgeon, that is not the case. To sign up for the courses mentioned above, get in touch with the DTE Academy today.