Certification Explained
When it comes to outdoor training courses, especially chainsaw courses, there is often confusion about what level of course you need in terms of legality and insurance.
Also, it is tempting to think that there is just one chainsaw certificate that you need to take to be fully qualified - unfortunately its a bit more complicated than that.
There is also often confusion between Lantra courses and NPTC assessments.
NPTC -National Proficiency Tests Council
The NPTC is an awarding body.
You can't do an NPTC training course - they don't do training - they just set the schedules by which you are assessed.
NPTC assessors are employed by Assessment Centres to assess you to the NPTC Assessment Schedules.
You don't have to do a training course in order to take an NPTC Assessment - but you will be much less likely to pass if you don't.
You can take a training course with anybody before taking an NPTC Assessment, but Lantra courses have the advantage of being recognised by some insurers, and also some Lantra courses have their own Integrated Assessment package which results in Lantra certification (which is valid for 5 years).
NPTC qualifications are valid for life - however, legally, you need to provide evidence that you are taking steps to update your skills at least every three years to be sure that you will be covered by your insurance.
Lantra Awards run many training courses covering Forestry, Agriculture, Horticulture, 4x4, Forklifts, Construction Industry, Arboriculture and Utility Aboriculture.
They have a special link with the NPTC in that if you take a 5 day chainsaw course with Lantra - you are covered to practise for six months under supervision by a qualified person before taking your NPTC assessment.
Also, NPTC offer a 10% discount on their assessment prices if you have previous done a Lantra course in that discipline.
In many cases, just doing a Lantra course will be sufficient for most insurers and legally. However Lantra courses are valid for 5 years only, after which refresher courses will need to be taken.
There are three levels of certification:
1) Certificate of Attendance
This is attained by attending a Lantra Training Only course such as the 5 day Chainsaw course in felling trees up to 15" diameter.
This is not normally sufficient as a qualification to work professionally except as a licence to practise under supervision for 6 months for the chainsaw assessment.
The certificate shows that you have attended all days of the course and behaved in a reasonable manner.
2) Certificate of Training
This is attained by attending a Lantra Integrated Training and Assessment (ITA) course, and by achieving a suitable standard as judged by your trainer.
All Environment Skills Training courses are Lantra ITA courses except the more advanced chainsaw courses.
This certificate shows that you have attended a suitable standard of operation on the day of the course.
Lantra ITA courses are available for basic chainsaw techniques (felling trees up to 8" diameter), but not for the more advanced techniques (felling trees over 8").
3) Certificate of Competence
This is attained by passing an NPTC assessment by an independent NPTC assessor.
These assessments can be arranged for you by Environment Skills Training.
This certificate shows that you are competent in that discipline and it is valid for life with the proviso that you must provide evidence that you have taken steps to keep your skills up to date every three years.
Although NPTC assessments can be taken in all of the courses we provide, it is only for advanced chainsaw use (felling trees over 8") that an NPTC certificate is required.
The Forestry Commission demands that all contractors and employees are NPTC qualified.
Each employer and insurer has their own rules regarding this - please check - don't ASSUME you are qualified and insured without checking first.
