Discover your perfect career with the Glendale family

​Ever thought of working in the great outdoors, helping the environment, and doing something you can see and be proud of at the end of each day? If so, becoming an arborist might be just the job for you. An arborist, also known as a tree surgeon, is someone who looks after trees. They work hard, learn a lot, and spend their days in the fresh air. It’s a job that can bring real satisfaction. So, welcome to the life of an arborist. Here are a few pointers on how you can get started on this rewarding career path in the UK.Starting with the Basics: EducationWhile there’s no absolute educational requirement to become an arborist, having certain qualifications can significantly enhance your prospects in this industry. Most employers value candidates who have completed their GCSEs and A-levels. For those looking to dive deeper, pursuing an undergraduate degree in environmental science, horticulture, or a similar field can be quite beneficial.For those who prefer a more hands-on approach rather than university, numerous college courses can provide the practical skills and knowledge you need. These include certificates in Arboriculture, Work-based Trees and Timber, Felling and Processing Trees, and diplomas in Forestry and Arboriculture. Usually, these courses require two to five GCSEs, including English and maths.Learn and Earn: ApprenticeshipsApprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity to gain real-world experience while also earning an income. As an apprentice, you will learn the ropes of the industry from experienced professionals, gaining insights that are not always available in a traditional classroom setting. Specifically, here at Glendale, we’re known for our award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which provides a particularly enriching experience. We believe in nurturing talent and encouraging the growth of our team members from within the company. Over the years, many of our apprentices have blossomed into some of the best arborists in the country, assuming managerial positions and further developing their skills. This commitment to professional development, coupled with our impressive track record, highlights Glendale’s apprenticeship scheme as an exceptional pathway for getting your foot in the door of this industry.Unlike finishing an educational course and then having to hunt for job opportunities, we usually offer our apprentices continued roles within the company. This means that even as you’re learning, you’re already part of a team that values your skills and contribution.By choosing an apprenticeship with Glendale, you’re not just learning how to become an arborist, you’re also setting up your future. And the prospects for growth don’t stop at the completion of your apprenticeship. If you’re ambitious and hardworking, there are plenty of opportunities to move up the ranks and take on more responsibility within a leading arboriculture company. This is more than just an apprenticeship – it’s your first step in a fulfilling career journey with Glendale.This path not only equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge but also instils a sense of professional confidence that is vital in this industry. Explore the apprenticeships at Glendale, earn as you learn, and lay the foundation for a thriving career as an arborist.Boost Your Skills: Relevant Work ExperienceIf you can’t yet find an apprenticeship, whether you’re still in school or you’re choosing to complete your studying before applying for a job in arboriculture, then looking for relevant work experience can help set you on the right path towards becoming an arborist. Having some sort of practical experience can really boost your CV, you can choose to volunteer or work part-time – there are plenty of opportunities for you to get your hands dirty in this field.Your work experience doesn’t necessarily need to be rooted in arboriculture. Given the niche skills required, securing such roles can be a challenge. Instead, consider roles that have an environmental or outdoor focus, such as gardening or grounds maintenance. You could even look for seasonal work, such as aiding in the festive rush of the Christmas tree season. Every bit of green-related experience adds value to your journey towards becoming a professional arborist – so, instead of waiting around to get into the field or relying on your educational qualifications, stand out by using your free time wisely to show your passion for green services.Exploring Related CareersIf you’re interested in a career within arboriculture, but haven’t made your mind up just yet, there are plenty more roles within the green services sector to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a back-up plan or just excitedly browsing for what your future could entail:Gardener:If you prefer a broader focus on plants and greenery, you could consider a gardening job. If you choose to go down this path with Glendale, you’ll be taking care of some of the most prestigious parks and green spaces in the UK.Tree Consultant:A more theoretical role, a tree consultant is responsible for inspecting trees, assessing their health and potential risk factors. Here at Glendale, we believe our arboricultural consultancy services are second to none.Landscaper:Landscaping offers a rewarding career for those who love the outdoors and have a creative flair. It’s a profession that allows you to design and shape outdoor spaces, creating beautiful environments that can bring joy to people and foster biodiversity. It’s a field where your creativity, passion for nature, and hands-on skills can truly come to life, providing both a tangible result and the satisfaction of enhancing the beauty of our natural world.Groundsperson:Grounds maintenance is an excellent career choice for those who enjoy working outdoors and have a keen eye for detail. From maintaining gardens to pruning trees and shrubs, every day brings new tasks and challenges, making it an exciting and fulfilling line of work for those with a green thumb. We have a selection of grounds maintenance jobs and apprenticeships.

​Here at Glendale, our employees are the backbone of our company; they form the vibrant tapestry of talent, expertise and passion that underpin our success. That’s why we wanted to be able to shine the spotlight on them from time to time, developing the first edition of our latest blog series! Each month, we’ll delve into the career journey, experiences, and insights of one employee – chosen as our ‘Pick of the Bunch’. We’re thrilled to bring this initiative to you and give you a glimpse into the wonderful world of Glendale from the eyes of the very people who make our company extraordinary.When you think of Glendale, you’re probably thinking of tree surgeons, gardeners, arborists, and the like. However, oftentimes, our team ‘behind-the-scenes’ don’t get as much credit as they deserve. Without a doubt, our public-facing roles are crucial in delivering the sterling services we’re known for, but the unsung heroes in our key accounts management department are just as vital. Although not often in the limelight, these professionals work tirelessly to ensure seamless relationships with our clients, effectively becoming the scaffolding that supports the visible efforts of our field teams. This month, we’re turning the spotlight on Shereen Marlow, one of our Senior Key Account Managers, to give you a fresh perspective on their indispensable role and how they contribute to the overall success of Glendale.So, let’s get into it:Reflecting on her work at Glendale, Shereen said, “I enjoy being part of a team that has the same goals and values that I do. Even though we are a large organisation, all the managers across the country know each other and have relationships which help them to carry out their day-to-day tasks.” This sense of family, camaraderie, and shared purpose is central to Shereen’s experience of Glendale.“My work life is busy but enjoyable. Some days are challenging, but overall, very fulfilling,” Shereen shares, emphasising her commitment to our mission. Nothing seems to bring her more satisfaction than achieving targets and goals, whether they’re personal or for the company.Her journey into Key Accounts Management was not a direct one, and it is through Glendale that Shereen has truly found her niche. “I’ve been with Glendale for almost 9 years, and have done a variety of different roles,” she explained, “When the role of Senior Key Accounts Manager became available, it was similar to my previous role but on a larger scale. I welcomed the challenge.”Shereen credits Glendale for her career progression, saying, “I love that Glendale promotes from within and is always looking to develop the staff they have. This has most certainly been the case for me during my career with Glendale which has seen me go from a Contracts Administrator to a Senior Manager.”Looking back at her journey, Shereen’s proudest achievement is “the steps I have made while working with Glendale to get where I am now.” She finds immense fulfilment in her current role, despite its challenges, affirming, “The variety of jobs I have undertaken has given me a wealth of knowledge which helps me do the job I am currently doing but also helps to assist new people joining the business.”In Shereen’s view, effective communication is the most important skill for a Senior Key Account Manager. When asked why more people should consider this field, she concluded, “It’s such a rewarding job. When you start a new contract and can see the teams making improvements to sites and the client is happy, it really does make it all worthwhile.”Shereen Marlow is a testament to the diligence, growth, and excellence we value at Glendale. Her story underscores the importance of every role within our organisation and the potential every team member has to make a significant impact.As we continue this ‘Pick of the Bunch’ blog series, we are excited to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the exceptional employees who make Glendale thrive. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories of our remarkable team members who truly embody the spirit of dedication and excellence that sets Glendale apart.

In honour of UK Disability Month 2022, we thought we would spotlight one of Glendale’s valued arboriculture team members, who deals with a disability on a daily basis.Many disabilities aren’t visible or aren’t immediately obvious. This rings true for Sam Ledgard, one of our hard-working arborists, who’s suffered from hearing loss his entire life. Sam is an amazing climber and a great teacher and role model for our arboriculture trainees. His team use sign language to communicate with him at height, however, he is an excellent lip reader and signer, and with the use of his hearing aids can understand words.Here at Glendale, we believe in giving everyone a chance – many people believe that because arboriculture, tree surgery, and grounds maintenance are such physical jobs, people with disabilities won’t be able to enter the industry. However, disabled arborists like Sam have pushed the boundaries of what other people think is possible and exceeded expectations with every challenge faced. Just because someone has a disability, doesn’t mean they should be overlooked in the hiring process or be faced with stigma when entering the work culture either from bosses, other employees, or even customers/clients.We asked Sam what initially got him into arboriculture, and he had this to say:“I’ve always been interested in arboriculture and this was influenced by a farm industry background, so I have the knowledge about trees and the use of a chainsaw before I started arboriculture”Arboriculture is an extremely rewarding industry with many benefits for people who work within it, but we wanted to know what Sam liked best about working within this sector:“I enjoy working outdoors rather than being stuck indoors. I get to work in many different places, and I like meeting people. The variety of work keeps me interested especially following the seasons.”Whilst it is rewarding, no industry is perfect, and we wanted to know how Sam felt about the industry as a whole and if there was anything we could do to support him. We asked if he felt welcome in the industry:“No. I feel let down by the tree industry. There is a saying that the more skills you have, the more valuable you are. With over 20 years of experience, I have seen the wage gap between groundsmen and climbers shrinking. So, it is getting to the point where climbers are better off working as groundsmen as the pay gap is not much different. There are many ‘Health and Safety’ issues which can be time-consuming and tiring.”Sam faces a lot of challenges in his daily life due to his hearing impairment, we asked if he thought it hinders his career within arboriculture:“Yes. I was born profoundly deaf. My main communication is lip reading and sign language. Having a hearing disability can be a hindrance as listening is important to gain knowledge and experience, especially with toolbox meetings. I find it easier to talk one to one, instead of talking to a group of people which is tiring from concentrating on lip reading and listening at the same time.”Finally, we care a lot about our employees, they’re what makes Glendale one of the UK’s leading arboriculture companies, so we asked Sam what we could do to help him progress:“To gain more skills – for example, get a full-time truck license and drive a grab lorry. Loler testing.”We’ll be looking into helping Sam with the above. We’re extremely lucky to have him as part of the Glendale team, he’s a great leader and works hard at everything he does.At Glendale, we base our recruitment process on skill if they’re already a qualified arborist or a willingness to learn if they’re applying to a trainee position; whatever your age, gender, religion, or whether you have a disability, this does not factor into our decision. Not only that, but we also do our best to make sure the work culture in our company is welcoming when employees do enter their new roles. We’ve got a range of support services and encourage our employees to talk to their team leader or supervisor if they’re having any issues. We also have 6 trained mental health first aiders within our team, because we understand the potential of struggling mentally within this industry. Men between 40-49yrs are at the greatest risk of experiencing a mental health crisis – demographics enormously represented in our sector.If you’d like a career within Glendale, take a look at our tree surgeon jobs page or browse our latest vacancies today. We’re always eager to take on new people who will improve our company as a whole.A massive thank you to Sam for answering our questions, we hope this has helped give an insight into the challenges of arborists working with a disability.​