Rhys Dobbs |Student with HCC – The Horticultural Correspondence College

High Flyer

Rhys Dobbs produced superb work throughout his studies on this course. It is research based, and is open ended, so that what is presented by the learner can be taken as far as they wish in terms of learning and knowledge, depth of research and investigation.

This Rhys did very effectively to cover the topics set for investigation by the questions for each lesson, and over the course as a whole.

The other advantage that this course offers, is that by acting as an introduction to a higher level of arboriculture investigation, then to set a framework for more advanced study later; this no doubt has been a help to Rhys, who has been able put the academic work to good use in establishing his own business, so its certainly good to know that the course can help learners to target this type of ambition effectively, and to hope that all bodes well for him in the future at the same time.

Rhys’s Story

After a successful 12 year career in the Royal Air Force, I was all too familiar with people leaving the force and making the transition from military into Civilian Street. Whilst most made that transition without haste, and well prepared, others didn’t and I found it hard to comprehend a situation I would find myself if I didn’t decide the direction of my future.

Having completed tours in Afghanistan, Iraq, Mountain Rescue and supported operations on both Rotary, Fast Jet and Parachute squadrons all over the world, to which many others in the military can relate, I have a keen passion for the outdoors, it was this passion that was to lay the foundations of my future.
It was 2012 I started thinking of my resettlement process, I had a memory map of all the things I wanted from life. I wanted a challenge, physical demands, mentally testing and the ability to be my own boss. Criteria filled and it was a natural choice to be a tree surgeon.

Naïve to this new job title I started to research in-depth what the job encompassed, the theory behind it, the areas in which I could find myself working and the key roles I would undertake as both an employer and company director.

The first step like anything was trade knowledge, I had three years to be able to learn as much as I could about arboriculture, not only for my benefit but to benefit the customer. It was important to me to be proficient in making sound and professional decisions. Trees have quite a powerful charm, they are able to connect to a person, studies have shown they calm, relax, release endorphins in the human brain that helps relieve stress and promote healing, It was important to me to not only be able to cut them down safely, but have the passive knowledge to care, promote healing and be confident in the advice I was giving.

The Horticultural Correspondence College provided me with the tools and the ability to be able to undertake the HCC Diploma in Arboricultural Studies course, it provided me with the ability to learn via distance learning and at my own pace. Covering ten different topics, I was able to prepare the essays and questions to a high standard know This meant I could learn about business, get practical knowledge but fundamentally as an aspiring company director it was knowing that the greater the input to the lessons the greater the output to my customer. The tutor, Mike Farr was superb, offering real time advice and drawing on experiences I was able to complete the Diploma with consummate ease and gaining an Outstanding Distinction.

Rhys Dobbs tree services was registered in 2015 , is based in Amesbury. It has since sustained continual growth. Covering all aspects in the Arboriculture sector, the company vision is to become one of the biggest and professional companies including falling under the Arb Association Approved Contractor Scheme. This vison would not have been both possible and sustainable without the continued support and flexibility received from the HCC. Furthermore would not have the confidence to be able to deal with the constant pace and variations through the Arboricultural world.