The Powered Pole Pruner course provides learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to safely inspect, operate and maintain powered pole pruners in accordance with current industry best practice and relevant health and safety legislation.

Combining classroom-based learning with extensive practical training, delegates will develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence required to carry out pre-use inspections, safely operate powered pole pruners, undertake pruning operations from ground level and complete routine operator maintenance whilst maintaining safe working practices and minimising risks to themselves, others and the surrounding environment.

Training is delivered in line with the UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Course Standard, ensuring a structured, competence-based approach that combines theoretical knowledge with practical application in realistic working conditions.

• Forestry and arboricultural workers.
• Estate and grounds maintenance personnel.
• Local authority and highways maintenance staff.
• Utility vegetation management operatives.
• Agricultural workers.
• Individuals with little or no previous experience using powered pole pruners.
• Existing operators wishing to refresh or formalise their skills.

• Relevant health and safety legislation and operator responsibilities.
• Hazard identification and safe systems of work.
• Components and operating principles of powered pole pruners.
• Selection and correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Pre-use inspections and defect reporting.
• Safe starting, operation and shutdown procedures.
• Safe pruning techniques from ground level.
• Branch tension and compression principles.
• Safe management of the work area and exclusion zones.
• Working safely around overhead hazards and obstacles.
• Routine operator maintenance and daily checks.
• Environmental considerations and wildlife awareness.

• Carrying out pre-use inspections and safety checks.
• Familiarisation with machine controls and operating functions.
• Safe starting and stopping procedures.
• Applying correct pruning techniques using a powered pole pruner.
• Assessing branches before cutting.
• Maintaining safe working positions and exclusion zones.
• Carrying out routine operator maintenance and cleaning.
• Safe shutdown and storage procedures.

Delegates are assessed throughout the course through practical observation and instructor questioning to confirm their knowledge, understanding and practical competence. Assessment is conducted against the learning outcomes and assessment criteria specified within the relevant UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Course Standard.

Upon successful completion of the course, delegates will receive a UK Rural Skills (UKRS) Accredited Certificate, demonstrating that they have successfully achieved the learning outcomes and assessment criteria specified within the relevant UKRS Course Standard.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course. Delegates should be physically capable of safely operating a powered pole pruner and possess a sufficient understanding of spoken and written English to fully participate in training and assessment.

Course duration will vary depending on delegates' previous experience, the number of delegates attending and the level of competence to be achieved. Training is tailored to individual requirements and may be delivered for novice operators, experienced operators or as refresher training.