Matt Dutton, Countryside Training and Tree Management Ltd.

Matt Dutton is a Professional Aborist at Countryside Training and Tree Management Limited. He started his career at Rodbaston College where he studied gamekeeping and gained two A-levels in Gamekeeping and Pest Control.

After finishing his course, Matt worked as a gamekeeper for four years and as he took on more training and more responsibility his job role became more diverse. Matt said: "Diversifying was a natural progression because, as I trained more and took on different duties, I went from gamekeeping to landscaping and then on to forestry."

Matt has been a Professional Arborist for six months but has been doing on-the-job training, including an apprenticeship, for three years in order to get the right skills needed for the job. With the continuous training in chainsaw maintenance, tree felling, tree identity and working with chemicals, Matt now has City and Guilds qualifications in tree climbing, aerial rescue, and chainsaw operating and maintenance to add to his A-levels.

Matt believes training is important in any job. "All the training I have done has been really in-depth and informative," says Matt. "I found that being an apprentice is a much better way to learn because you learn as you work. You are examined on what you have done and not just what you have read in a book."

"Being an apprentice is a much better way to learn because you learn as you work"

Matt took part in a demonstration at the Lantra stand at the Royal Show 2007 to raise career awareness in the trees and timber industry. Matt enjoyed the opportunity to show off his skills. "I enjoy demonstrating at shows because it gives you the chance to experiment more with the chainsaw as I am creating more rather than just sawing off branches and cutting down trees. It has given me more confidence working with the saw."

Alan Stephens, Matt’s employer at Countryside Training and Tree Management Limited, said of Matt: "He is a remarkable find and I am so pleased with the progress that he has made since he started. Even at the Royal Show I was extremely proud at how confident he had become when demonstrating in front of the crowds. I can see Matt eventually looking after the arb side of the business and I want to also train him up to become an instructor as he is particularly good at his job and well motivated for his age."

If you would like a career in the trees and timber industry Matt advises: "Get the training before you get the job as it teaches what you need to know about the industry and makes you more employable, as employers want people who know at least something about the job they want to do. I love my job because you get to meet a lot of people and it is lots of fun. I would recommend it to everyone who has a passion for the outdoors and likes climbing trees."