In some ways, only you can decide that. You can opt to undertake an assessment without any formal training, but you may limit your chances of being successful. Our training goes beyond what is nominally required for an assessment. We use highly skilled and knowledgeable trainers who provide training which builds on your previous experience, through the use of analysis and evaluation. For professional workers, the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 apply. https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l22.htm

We are sure you are a safe, experienced user of the equipment. However, there are a number of reasons why your boss is asking you to attend a training course. If you have a ticket (e.g. a 20-03 CS30 chainsaw certificate), then you will be required to attend refresher training every five years. More and more insurance companies are demanding competency based training and assessment certificates. Training is a way of keeping up-to-date with the latest practices. Also, a surprising number of people fall into bad habits and training is an ideal opportunity to ensure your working practices meet today’s standards.

There are training courses and assessments to cover almost any operation and equipment to be found within arboriculture, forestry, horticulture and grounds management. Please browse through our list of courses to see what is available. Our courses are run on site at BCA. We can also run our courses on your site, provided it is suitable. If you can’t find a particular course you need, just send us an email to landbasedtraining@bca.ac.uk. We will be happy to discuss your requirements to see how we can help you.

In most cases, yes you do. If you are using a chainsaw for private work and not for reward, then you do not need to undertake the assessment. However, many of our private students do complete the assessment successfully and view it as part of operating a chainsaw competently. If you are a professional user of the saw carrying out tree work operations then you will have to take, and pass, the assessment to prove competency. This is because the Approved Code of Practice (a supporting regulation of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) states: “…Before using a chainsaw to carry out work on or in a tree, a worker should have received appropriate training and obtained a relevant certificate of competence or national competence award” https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg317.pdf

If you undertook chainsaw training years ago, you may have been given a ‘blue book’. Your assessor would have signed off the relevant section to denote your competence. Over 10 years ago, the ‘blue book’ was withdrawn and owners of these books had to present them to NPTC to transfer their certificates on to the new system. If you still have a ‘blue book’ which was not updated by NPTC during the grace period (which has now lapsed), then you have lost your entitlement to those certificates of competence. This means that you will have to take the new Level 2 Award assessments.

We supply equipment for our courses, unless otherwise specified. If you supply your own equipment, it will be checked by our trainers to ensure it meets relevant guidelines and safety standards. It is essential that you bring your own PPE (personal protection equipment). This is for your own personal safety and our trainers will refuse to allow you to start the course, if you cannot supply this. To find out what PPE is required for your course, click on the course and scroll down to More Information and click on Additional Information. We have 3 cafes on site at BCA. However, if your course at BCA is located away from our workshops or training school, it is recommended that you bring your own refreshments.

Our prices always include the cost of the assessment and the certificate. VAT is zero.

We ask you to arrive by 08.30 on your first day so you can sign in and collect your visitor’s badge and a map of the campus. It is essential that your visitor’s badge is visible at all times, whilst on site. All of our courses start promptly at 09.00. For bespoke training, we can arrange start times to suit you. Joining instructions will be emailed to you two weeks prior to the start of a course. These will include the date/time/location/car park for your course, including a reminder to bring your PPE.

Yes, most of our courses and any bespoke training can be done at your place of work. We can discuss with you the suitability of your site and facilities.

Yes, we do offer 1:1 training. We can provide a quotation on request.

Our trainers are highly qualified and experienced, registered with BALI, City & Guilds (NPTC), Lantra and NPORS. They have all worked in land based jobs and know how important it is to have your ‘tickets’. They enjoy sharing their expertise and more importantly, enabling you to achieve your goals.

Yes, we can help you. Please don’t worry. Our trainers recognise that everyone has a different learning style and can adapt the course to suit you. Most of our assessments do not require you to read and answer a question paper. They are mainly practical assessments with verbal questions to test your knowledge and understanding.

At the end of your assessment you will be told if you have passed. Depending on the awarding body, your certificate will normally arrive about 4-6 weeks later. It is very important that when you register on your first day with the trainer, that your name and address details are correct.

Our courses are run at different sites on the BCA campus. You will need to be physically fit enough to carry tools and equipment relevant to your course. If you have any medical alerts, please let us know in advance. All of our trainers are qualified first aiders.