Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Felling Small Trees up to 380mm 2024-25

This qualification is for individuals who operate chainsaws as part of their work in arboriculture, forestry or other industries. It will provide the individual with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to fell small trees up to 380mm safely and to industry standards in line with current legislation.

Please note: This is a full cost course and is therefore not eligible for any fee remission or discounts. Candidates, or their employers, must pay the course fee in full prior to the course starting.

It covers risk assessment, emergency planning, legislation, industry best practice, environmental considerations, recognition of disease and decay, modification of felling methods, setting up supports, felling techniques and cuts, prestart checks, site preparation, dealing with hung up trees, aid tools, branch removal, dealing with brash, cross-cutting timber
to length, stacking timber and waste disposal.

Individuals who successfully complete this qualification could go on to increase their level of proficiency through consolidation practice within a working environment, or develop skills in safely operating chainsaws, e.g., Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Using a Chainsaw from a Rope and Harness.

Candidates must have achieved City & Guilds 0039-20 Level 2 Certificate of Competence in Chainsaw Maintenance and
Cross-Cutting (or equivalent version).

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

East Durham College's Houghall Campus is committed to providing a supportive and welcoming environment for all our students. The campus, some of which is over 80 years old, has seen over £40m invested in new facilities over recent years. However, there are still some aspects of the site which are not fully accessible and would cause an issue for those with limited mobility or wheelchair users and due to the nature of the site, adjustments may not always be reasonable at this stage. The College is committed to further investment and improvements of the site, as we work towards ensuring the campus is as accessible as possible. If you have limited mobility or are a wheelchair user and wish to undertake a course at the Houghall Campus, please contact Student Services on 0191 375 4710 in the first instance to discuss your needs and options.

The course will be assessed by an external City & Guilds assessor, usually the following day.

Courses run throughout the year.

3 day practical course, plus 2 hour assessment.