Training is one of those things every arb contractor knows they need, but it often lands at the bottom of the list. Not because it is unimportant, but because it is a hassle to organise, it pulls people off the tools, and it is rarely cheap once you add travel, lost time, and last-minute rescheduling.
The problem is, if training slips, standards slip with it. That can show up as avoidable mistakes, slower jobs, worn-out kit, near misses, or a team that is not consistent. And when you do invest in people, there is always the risk they leave just as they start paying you back.
There is a practical way to flip this around. Instead of treating training as an occasional cost, some contractors build a training offer into the business. The result can be lower external training spend, better skills across the team, improved retention, and a new revenue stream from running chainsaw courses locally.
The real cost of “sending people away on courses”
On paper, the course fee is one number. In reality, you usually pay more than you think.
You might be covering:
- time off the job for two or three people at once
- travel, accommodation, and early starts
- replacing key staff on site
- lost momentum when a team is split up
- delays because training dates do not line up with workloads
Even when the training is good, it can feel like it disrupts everything. That is why a lot of contractors end up doing the minimum.
Why in-house training improves quality (not just compliance)
When training happens close to home, and it is planned into the diary, it is easier to keep standards high.
The biggest improvement most teams see is consistency. Everyone ends up working the same way, using the same language, following the same approach to checks, maintenance, sharpening, and safe cutting technique. That reduces “mixed standards”, which is often where problems start.
It also makes it easier to spot gaps early. If someone is struggling with sharpening, stance, saw control, or basic planning, you can address it before it becomes a habit.
Retention: training can keep good people, if you do it right
Good staff do not just leave for money. They leave when they feel stuck, or when they do not see a future. Training is one of the simplest ways to show you are investing in them.
If you build a clear pathway, it changes how people see the business. A groundie can see a route to being a strong lead ground worker, then possibly climbing, then potentially moving into instruction and assessment support later on.
That is the sort of progression that keeps people around, because they can see what comes next.
The “extra” opportunity most contractors miss: running courses locally
If you already understand the work, the standards, and the kit, you are closer than you think to adding training as a service.
There is steady demand for:
- CS30 (maintenance and cross-cutting)
- CS31 (felling small trees)
- refresher training
- climbing and aerial options as the business grows
And the people searching are not just arb firms. You will often get interest from estates, facilities teams, grounds maintenance contractors, local authorities, utilities supply chain, and individuals wanting a career move.
The challenge is not whether demand exists. The challenge is setting it up properly.
Why a franchise model is often the fastest route
Starting a training business from scratch sounds simple until you get into the detail. You need the right sites, paperwork, systems, course structure, marketing, and assessment relationships. If you get any of that wrong, it can cost serious time and money.
A proven franchise model short-circuits that learning curve.
With the ChainsawCourses.co.uk franchise (powered by Great Oaks), the value is not just the brand name. It is the operating model that has already been tested, including:
Getting training sites secured
Support finding safe, practical woodland and offsite locations so you can run courses properly.
Train-the-trainer support
Guidance so you can gain the qualifications, teaching confidence, and experience to deliver the courses yourself.
Assessment-ready setup
Help working with assessors, smoother processes, and access to preferred rates where available.
Marketing that already works
Your region is promoted through a site that is already ranking strongly for chainsaw training searches, so you are not starting from zero.
Booking and admin systems
A proper online booking system and a training-focused CRM so you spend less time chasing forms and more time delivering courses.
E-learning resources
Delegates access online workbooks and learning support, which improves the course experience and reduces repeat questions.
Ongoing mentoring
Support after launch so you can keep improving the operation, rather than guessing your way through growth.
In plain terms, it is built to help you avoid the mistakes that cost most new training providers a year (and a lot of stress).
What this looks like in a real arb business
Most contractors do not stop their day job overnight. The sensible approach is to start small, build it alongside existing work, then grow when the demand is proven.
A typical pattern looks like this:
You tighten up training for your own staff first. That saves you money and improves consistency.
Then you open up a few course dates to external delegates.
Then, as bookings become repeatable, you block out regular training weeks and potentially add additional instructors later.
You can keep it lean and local, or you can build it into a multi-trainer business. The point is that you are not forced into one path.
Who this is best suited to
This route tends to suit people who already understand the industry and want something more stable alongside contracting work.
It is a good fit if you are:
- an experienced arborist, forestry worker, tree surgeon, or grounds contractor
- ready to move into self-employment or build a second arm to your business
- tired of paying out for training and want more control
- confident working with people and coaching less experienced staff
You do not need to be an instructor on day one. The model is designed to get you trained up and ready.
A quick word on credibility
People choose training providers they trust. Being part of an established network helps, but what really wins repeat bookings is simple: practical, job-ready training that is well organised.
That is why systems matter. If booking is smooth, pre-course info is clear, sites are well run, and the training is genuinely useful, you build a reputation quickly. And once you do, word spreads fast in arb.
If you’re curious, take a proper look at the franchise route
If you like the idea of cutting your training costs, improving skills across your team, and building an extra income stream through chainsaw courses, the franchise model is worth a serious look.
If you want to talk it through first, call 01772 369694 or email info@chainsawcourses.co.uk. We’ll ask what you do now, what region you cover, and what sort of setup you want, then tell you honestly whether it’s a good fit.