Short Courses

Need to learn how to get to grips with a chainsaw?

Or maybe you have experience with a brushcutter but need your industry ticket to be able to work on other sites?

BTCV run specialist short courses to get you up to speed with a range of machinery and traditional countryside skills and practical outdoor emergency first aid.

Machinery Courses

Whether you are looking for a one-day domestic-use workshop or a three-day and NPTC CS31 assessment course, we can help.

Training is very much hands-on, with our experienced instructor working with small groups of only four students per session.

Please bring your own chainsaw, fuel and specialist personal protective equipment. Safety clothing and equipment can be hired at additional cost - prices on application.

Further dates/ venues/ courses will be arranged.

Courses are demand led but based around BTCV's training centres near Chichester, Lewes and Bexhill.

DOMESTIC CHAINSAW - £108
This is a one-day course designed to teach the safe operation and maintenance of chainsaws for people to use on their own private land. This course covers cross-cutting but not include felling instruction. Course costs £90 +VAT.

NPTC CS30 - £375
This is a three-day course comprising two days training with our experienced instructor, learning about safe maintenance, operation and cross-cutting techniques. On the third day candidates will be assessed by an NPTC instructor for the CS30 industry ticket. Course training costs £200 +VAT. NPTC registration and assessment £135.

NPTC CS31 - £555
This is a four-day course for people who already hold CS30. Learn and practise techniques for felling and processing small hard and saft wood trees - from planning operations to take down of a hung up tree, branch removal and knowledge of winch operation. Course training costs £350 +VAT. NPTC registration and assessment £135.

BRUSHCUTTER - £108 for domestic use. £228 for NPTC certificate
This is a one-day course to allow students to understand maintenance procedures and safe operating techniques for brushcutters. Course includes health and safety, blade fitting, inspection and sharpening, cleaning and maintenance of the power unit and scything and swatting techniques.Course costs £90 +VAT.
Candidates wishing to take their NPTC brushcutter industry ticket would be booked for assessment on a second day. NPTC registration and assessment £120.

1-day EMERGENCY FIRST AID - £84
One-day course aimed specifically at practical first aid for outdoor workers. Course costs £70 +VAT.

Woodland Skills

We are also planning a suite of one-day courses giving an introduction to a variety of rural crafts including woodland management, hedgelaying and coppicing.

Sign up for one or two that interest you or enrol for all five and get them at a discounted rate. Full details available soon

Register your interest and we will send you updated information about what is on offer, or check this page again soon.

Contact training team administrator Sue Meyer on 01403 730572 or at s.meyer@btcv.org.uk giving details of your name, address, telephone number and/ or email, and what type of course/s you are interested in.