EuCAN is an exciting conservation project set up by West Dorset educational charity, The Kingcombe Trust, to enable people from the UK to contribute to wildlife conservation across Europe. The body is funded by the Leonardo da Vinci section of the EU Lifelong Learning Programme and is dedicated to encouraging engagement in conservation projects across Europe.

The organisation has established partnerships with wildlife and orchard conservation organisations in five countries of the EU; France, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Belgium. This enables groups from the UK to travel by train, mini bus or boat (this is a no-fly operation) to work with these partners to carry out practical management tasks or species monitoring.

‘Our aim with the programme is to have a productive exchange of ideas, expertise, and resources with the accompanying social, cultural and political benefits at the community level. Not only is this project helping all partners to share the challenge of environmental management, it also gives our participants a much better understanding of nature conservation on a European scale and training in the use of power tools and hand tools,’ said Nigel Spring, EuCAN Project Coordinator.

The first two weekends of training for the 2010 project took place at the Kingcombe Centre last month and since then one group has visited La Brenne in central France for a fortnight’s placement.
‘We were delighted to deliver the chain saw course and brush cutting training for such a worthwhile project,’ said Lesley Simpson, managing director of Newlands Training. ‘Chainsaw and brush cutter training are some of our most popular courses and the trained volunteers will be able to use their new found skills in land based work when they return to the UK.’

Those interested in joining the EuCAN programme must comply with the following criteria:
•    A resident in the UK – fit and prepared to do practical work for 9 days in the 14 day trip and 3-4 days cultural and ecological training
•    Enjoy living and working in a team of likeminded people in beautiful places
•    Want to contribute to the conservation effort of our EU partners
•    Want to learn about the history, culture, languages and ecology of other nations
•    Are over 18, not in full time education, but are in employment, retired or out of work

To find out more about Newlands Training and the courses on offer in Dorset and Devon please contact us.

For press enquiries please contact: Lisa Worthington, Tandem Marketing – e 01305 756584 or 07957 542878.

The ‘Small Business Fire Training Course’ is designed for small business owners with no facility for in house fire training and those with employers and employees who require ongoing fire training to conform to the requirements of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 RR(FS)0. The RR(FS)0 has replaced a host of fire safety legislation and now clearly identifies that it is the responsibility of every business owner to carry out a risk assessment and remove or reduce as much as possible any risks to people in the building from fire.

’We have received a number of requests for this course with more businesses realising that it’s their responsibility to address fire safety in the workplace, and we want to be able to service all training requirements, ’ commented Lesley Simpson, managing director, Newlands Training. Lasting 3 hours and designed for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 people the ‘Small Business Fire Training Course’ costs £60 + vat per delegate.

Another addition to the portfolio of Newlands’ Training Courses is the ‘Certificate of Arboriculture’, again as a result of a string of enquiries. The course is designed for those people working in Arboriculture, in both the public and private sectors, to complement their training and experience. A spring board for those wanting to take the Professional Diploma in Arboriculture of The Royal Forestry Society (RFS) the course covers planting, chainsaw training, felling small trees and brushwood as compulsory elements. This year long course, taught one day a week from June 2010 has 10 places available and will cost £1,000.

For more information about the ‘Small Business Fire Course’ and the ‘Professional Diploma in Arboriculture visit the Newlands Training website www.newlandstraining.com or contact Lesley Simpson on 01305 848454

Editor’s Notes

1.    For more information please contact Lisa Worthington 01305 756584 or 07957 542878

The most significant amendment to the chainsaw suite requirements for achievement is that trainees can undergo the new unit 50 module for damaged tree techniques without the previous pre requisite of unit 32. Trainees for the new course will only require unit 30 (maintenance) and unit 31 (cross cutting and felling small trees) in order to take this new module.

‘This is excellent news for arboriculture training budgets,’ commented Lesley Simpson, managing director of Newlands. ‘Not only is it going to save companies nearly £500 but it will also mean less time actually training for workers as unit 32 module is a three day course.’

Other amendments to chainsaw training include; merging unit 32 and unit 33 that previously tackled medium and large tree felling respectively into one new unit 32 designed for trees over 380mm. The new Unit 33 is for specialist tree felling.

‘These changes will make a significant difference to how damaged trees are dealt with and will also offer a swift route to a new and incredibly useful qualification,’ added Lesley.

For more information on the revision to chainsaw training visit the website or contact Newlands Training direct on 01305 848454.
If you want to know more about becoming a tree surgeon or would like more details regarding any of the chain saw classes in Devon and Dorset please contact:

Lesley Simpson
Tel: 01305 848454
Mob: 07976 531649
Email: lesleysimpson@farmline.com

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“A lot of people who have lost their jobs in the recession are looking for alternative careers and are using their redundancy pay to fund training courses. I think that the vast Dorset countryside has lead people to consider a career in arboriculture and tree surgery for which chain saw qualifications are vital. Tree surgeon’s wages start from £22,000 so you can understand why there is a surge in chain saw training” said Lesley Simpson, managing director of Newlands Training.

Those who want to embrace tree surgery after years of office based work need to gain certain specific chainsaw qualifications. All wannabe tree surgeons must achieve NPTC certificate in the following areas:

Maintenance and Cross Cutting – (NPTC UNIT 30): safety and health features of a chainsaw, maintenance, personal protective equipment; fuelling and starting a chainsaw, clearing site and chainsaw checks, performing pre-cutting checks, cross-cutting timber and adjusting the chainsaw.

Felling Small Trees up to 380 mm including Takedown of Hung-up (NPTC UNIT 31): felling demonstration, felling trees up to 380mm diameter; de-limbing of felled trees, cross cutting trunks of felled trees and takedown of hung-up trees.

Tree Climbing & Aerial Rescue (old NPTC UNIT 38): climbing a tree – branch walk; rescuing a casualty from a tree; achieving a work position in a tree and using a hand saw to sever lightweight branches.

Operate a Chain Saw from a Rope and Harness (UNIT 39): this is a very comprehensive course covering legislation and safety guidelines pertaining to the use of a chainsaw from a rope and harness, understanding the safety considerations to be observed in organising the work site, carrying out pre-start checks to the chainsaw, cold and hot starting techniques, demonstrating techniques for hauling chainsaws into the tree and attaching them appropriately to the harness, using appropriate techniques for establishing secure and comfortable work positions, demonstrating the appropriate use of various step and sink cuts and correct final pruning cuts, using top-handled and lightweight rear-handled chainsaws in a safe and efficient manner, removing light and medium weight branches, understanding and fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a competent ground person.

One final chainsaw qualification required is first aid in the work place, which is a vital part of one’s own risk assessment at work as a tree surgeon. Changes to First Aid at Work Guidance and Training came into force on 1st October 2009. To ensure that your company is up to date with its first aid training Newlands Training would like to offer the first 10 people who contact Lesley Simpson on 01305 848454 a half price 3 day course, please quote FAOCTPR.

If you want to know more about becoming a tree surgeon or would like more details regarding any of the chain saw classes in Devon and Dorset please contact:

Lesley Simpson
Tel: 01305 848454
Mob: 07976 531649
Email: lesleysimpson@farmline.com

Two charities have joined forces with two local training providers to help a dozen young people in Dorset overcome their struggle to find work.

The National Trust at Kingston Lacy and the Prince’s Trust are working with Newlands Training from Dorchester and Whitehorse Leadership from Weymouth in a three week programme which ends this Friday, when the students graduate.
“We’re working with local firms to identify the skills which they need and have been struggling to find among job applicants, and then training our twelve young people in those skills so both get exactly what they need,” says Rebecca Stalker, Community Learning and Volunteer Officer for the National Trust at Kingston Lacy.

“Those skills range from tractor driving and chainsaw training to fence building and first aid. We’re doing the theory, the safety and vitally giving the students practical experience which they can instantly put to good use for local employers,” says Rebecca.

The 12 students range in age from 17 to 23 and come from as far a field as Bournemouth to Blandford Forum and Dorchester.

“The twelve candidates have bonded tremendously since the start of the course, and just knowing they’re not alone in the difficulties they’ve faced has helped raise their confidence. It’s not a personal issue – but one that many people are facing, which instantly makes it less intimidating to get on with solving,” says Nicholas Bonnie from the Prince’s Trust.

This year, for the second time, the group have been learning and using their new skills in and around the Kingston Lacy estate. Project work has formed a vital part of the course programme, seeing the students get an authentic taste of the world of work.

Newlands Training was selected as the primary training company owing to its wealth of knowledge and experience within the field of land based training.

“We have been providing training for the past 20 years and were delighted to assist with this project,” says Lesley Simpson, Managing Director of Newlands Training. “The employment market is extremely tough at the moment and it’s great to be able to give these young people a taster of land based work.”

Whitehorse Leadership provided the essential element of first aid training for the programme. “We regularly work with young people and understand the challenges that they have in gaining employment. There is no place for prejudice here and it’s about giving people a fair chance to get back to work,” said Rob Hamilton, Director.

There will be a formal presentation taking place on Friday 9 October at Kingston Lacy where all of those who completed and passed the programme will receive their certificates.

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Lesley Simpson, managing director of Newlands Training says, “Many accidents are caused by insufficient observations by fork lift truck operators and if people follow this simple check list then careless mistakes should be minimised. We recommend that people working with fork lift trucks adhere to the following advice.”

Newlands Training Safe Fork Lift Truck Operating Check List

•    Wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) i.e. hard hats, gloves, safety boots etc.

•    Drive at a steady speed and within the capabilities of the truck

•    Plan your moves in advance to avoid a lot of unnecessary travel and wasted time and stress on yourself

•    Read, understand and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations in the Operator’s Manual for the truck

•    Wear the safety lap belt when operating the machine

•    Consider the environment when carrying out maintenance and when operating the machine and handling loads.

Lesley Simpson added, “Employers and employees have a commitment to the health and safety of others at work, under The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. This act also requires everyone to be responsible for; the use of safe working practices and procedures; cooperation with management on health and safety matters and ensuring equipment is well maintained and is not recklessly modified or abused.”

“It is imperative that the number of accidents in the workplace decrease. Employers definitely have the power to make this happen, with proper fork lift truck training courses for their operators, adherence to our safety check list and the Health & Safety at Work Act the number of incidents should dramatically decrease.”

For more information about Newlands Training and fork lift truck training in Devon & Dorset please contact:
Lesley Simpson
Tel: 01305 848454
Mob: 07976 531649
Email: lesleysimpson@farmline.com

Newlands Training Ltd, based in Dorchester has provided rural training across Devon & Dorset for over 20 years, offering a range of short courses including fork lift truck courses either ”in-house” or at one of its training sites in Dorset. Lesley Simpson, managing director, has chosen to offer the funded Women and Work programme to assist the training and progression of women within agriculture, land-based engineering, horticulture and environmental conservation.

“This is a great opportunity for women to really improve their skills. The aim of the course is to train women so they gain more credible presence within a very male dominated area. I know how challenging it can be for women, having worked in agriculture and countryside skills for many years. This funded training could also apply to women looking to change career due to redundancy and lack of jobs within their known profession. With increasing unemployment it’s a perfect opportunity for people to gain new skills in areas such as tree survey inspection, FEPA spraying, chain saw and fork lift truck training, to improve chances of employment.” said Lesley Simpson.

To be eligible for the funded training you need to be working in a full-time or part-time position within one of the following industries: agriculture, fencing, environmental conservation, game and wildlife management, horticulture, land based engineering, landscape, trees and timber.

The course is supported with personal career development plans, where skills coaches will assess women’s current skills, provide face to face career assessments and develop personal training plans. On-going mentoring support will also be provided throughout the programme to ensure that the personal development requirements are achieved.

If you are interested in the Newlands Training Ltd LANTRA Women and Work Programme, or would like to know more about other courses including pesticide spraying, chain saw and fork lift truck training, please contact Lesley Simpson on 01305 848454 or mobile 07976 531649, or email lesleysimpson@farmline.com.

About Newlands Training Ltd

Newlands Training Ltd has provided rural training across Devon & Dorset for over 20 years offering a range of short courses such as chain saw and fork lift truck training either ”in-house” or at one of our training sites. Our roots lie with the Agricultural Training Board which no longer exists. The service of ”responsive” training is now offered by ourselves in the South of England.

We employ a wide range of professional trainers who continue to work in their vocational area. They strive to keep updated on the legislative areas of their skills and offer training courses as required.
Our trainees are assessed to meet the increasing demand to comply with Health and Safety guidelines and achieve Certificates of Competence in many work aspects. This leads towards Certification by the National Proficiency Test Council and Lantra Awards. Other awarding bodies are used for specialist courses as required.

Newlands Training Ltd is a member of the Lantra Professional Register.

Our specialties include:
• Chain Saw Training and Tree Climbing NPTC & Lantra Certification
• Forestry and Landscape Training and Certification
• Pesticide Spraying Courses and Certification
• Training and Certification to help comply with Health and Safety at work Act
• Rural and Conservation Skills
• Machinery Driving Skills and Certification. (i.e. Tractor Driving, Telescopic Handlers, Fork Lift Trucks and All Terrain Vehicles, 4×4 Off road)
• On-road Trailer driving Category B&E
• Pesticide Applications with NPTC certification

The HSE strongly recommends that all first aiders do a half day annual refresher course.

New Legislation
The new legislation applies to you when your current certificate is about to expire.

First Aid Refresher Training
The HSE recognises that our skills fade during the three year current certificates and strongly recommends a three hour annual refresher course at the end of both the first and second year of your new First Aid at Work qualification.

You will not need to take the annual refresher in the same year that you attend a requalification course to renew your certificate. The requalification is still a two day course.

Book a first aid course with Newlands Training:
Emergency First Aid Certificate
First Aid at Work Certificate
First Aid at Work Refresher Course