This course is designed to prepare an experienced climber/chainsaw operator for the City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness. Although not a pre-requisite, you should ideally have climbing experience over and above a week-long tree climbing and aerial rescue course. This course is intended for proficient tree climbers.
Training is for 2 days, followed by a 1-day assessment. Start time 09.00, finish time 17.00. These days may not follow consecutively.
Courses are taught by experienced, highly skilled tutors who attend annual specific industry training programmes. The arboriculture workshops are fully resourced with all the tools and equipment needed for the course. The proactive approach of the department ensures that all the chainsaws and related tools and equipment are up-to-date with technology and current legislation.
Our worksites, located close to the campus, have been specifically chosen for the course to provide an opportunity to practice the skills required for assessment.
Merrist Wood has developed an excellent reputation for arboriculture expertise and coupled with our award-winning Learning Philosophy, we are able to offer a practical education, tailored to your needs.
What you'll learn
The course includes:
- Identifying, inspecting and commenting on key parts of the equipment to be used
- Preparing the equipment for use ensuring the safety of themselves, other people and the environment
- Operating a chainsaw whilst maintaining a working position within the crown of a tree using a rope and harness
- Performing a range of cutting techniques
A reasonable level of fitness is required.
How you'll learn and be assessed
Following your training an independent Assessor will assess you against criteria set by City & Guilds. If you require any additional support, please ensure this is declared on your enrolment application or you call the Contact Centre once you have enrolled.
Should you fail the assessment you will need to book a new assessment date. Fees for an additional assessment will be £300. Please contact dianne.boosey@activatelearning.ac.uk
Your certificate and NPTC card will be issued directly from City & Guilds, not from Merrist Wood College. A link to your certificate will be emailed to the email address supplied at enrolment. To enable you to have an NPTC card you are required to supply a head and shoulders photograph to the Contact Centre once you have enrolled.
Without a photo, you will not receive a card.
Progression
You could go onto our other arboriculture courses or, following successful assessment, use a chainsaw in a tree commercially.
Other courses offered at Merrist Wood College include:
- Felling
- Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue
- Aerial Rigging
- Manually Fed Wood Chipper Operations
- Chainsaw Refresher Day
- Arboriculture (Tree Management) Level 4, Award, Certificate and Diploma
Entry requirements
For experienced climbers and chainsaw users only, trainees must already possess City & Guilds Chainsaw Maintenance and Cross Cutting.
Felling Small Trees up to 380mm and Tree Climbing and Aerial Rescue. This course is intended for proficient tree climbers.
Although not a pre-requisite, you should ideally have climbing experience over and above a week long tree climbing and aerial rescue course.
You will also need to bring:
- Personal Protective Equipment
- *Chainsaw protective helmet (complying with EN 397)
- *Chainsaw protective trousers (type C) (complying with EN 381-5)
- *Chainsaw protective gloves (complying with EN 381-7)
- *Chainsaw protective boots (complying with BS EN ISO 20345:2004 and bearing a shield depicting a chainsaw
- Ear defenders (complying with EN 352)
- Face Visor (complying with EN 1731/Safety Glasses EN 166)
- Personal first-aid kit, including a large-wound dressing
*The items marked with an asterisk should bear the chainsaw logo and show the chain speed to which they have been tested.
Additional information
Catering facilities may or may not be open on site, therefore you are more than welcome to bring a packed lunch and drinks.
The cost includes all instruction, assessment, and use of equipment but not use of personal protective clothing.
Please note: Due to Covid restrictions PPE can no longer be hired from the College.
A map of the college will be supplied in your joining instructions. Please ensure you arrive early to locate your meeting place and ensure a prompt start time. You must report to the Harris Centre reception and sign in (opens at 8.30am), they will issue you with a lanyard that must be worn whilst you are on campus. Once you are signed in you need to go to the Short Course Centre at the bottom of the drive. There is parking in the Equine car park.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What time does the course start?
The course starts 9am.
You must report to the Harris Centre reception and sign in (opens at 8.30am), they will issue you with a lanyard that must be worn whilst you are on campus. Once you are signed in you need to go to the Short Course Centre at the bottom of the drive. There is parking in the Equine car park.
What time does the course finish?
The course finishes at 5pm.
Depending on when your assessment is, you may finish earlier on your assessment day.
You must return your lanyard to the Harris Centre reception and sign out (closes at 5pm) or hand your lanyard to the assessor.
What happens if I need a replacement certificate?
Please contact Customer Services at City & Guilds and request a replacement.
Email – lbs_information@cityandguilds.com
Tel: 02476 857300
My certificate hasn’t arrived ?
Please contact Customer Services at City & Guilds and request a replacement.
Email – lbs_information@cityandguilds.com
Tel: 02476 857300
Is there a restaurant on site?
There are a couple of catering outlets on site. These are only operational during term time. You are more than welcome to bring your own packed lunch and drinks.
