Avove Arboricultural Surveyors inspire the next generation of Arborists
Avove Arboricultural Surveyors inspire careers in Vegetation Management at Houghall College
We are committed to inspiring and nurturing the careers of the next generation. Two Avove Arboricultural Surveyors recently demonstrated this commitment by meeting with students at Houghall College, Durham, to share their career journeys and deliver a hands-on session on surveying and vegetation management.
Arborist students offered first-hand experience of surveying skills
Two of Avove’s Arboricultural Surveyors, Matt Greensmith and Toby Scott, joined first and second-year students, as part of a masterclass session, to discuss surveying and cutting opportunities in relation to the Northern Powergrid contract that is actively supporting residents across the North East region.
As part of the event, students were given a firsthand opportunity to hone their surveying skills by studying a site with a dead tree that needed to be removed to mitigate the risk of power line disruption. As part of the session, they were given an Emergency Works Assignment and an opportunity to explore career opportunities with Avove as part of our Vegetation Management Team.
As former students of Houghhall College, both Matt and Toby were well-placed to advise and support the group, answering any questions they had about the role, responsibilities and career path.
Sparking an interest in vegetation management careers
Speaking about the session, Thomas Minns, Course Manager at Houghall College, said:
“We really appreciate Avove taking the time to speak to the class about their work, and we’ve had some glowing feedback from the students, as they benefited from the industry insights that were shared. The session sparked a lot of interest and enthusiasm, and having personally worked on the network myself, it’s great to see similar career opportunities open to the next generation.”
Toby and Matt’s return to their former school was a full-circle moment, having once been students at Houghall College. Thomas remarked:
“I’m pleased to see Matt and Toby thriving in their new roles and would like to thank them both for giving our students a clear understanding of what a career in Arboriculture looks like once they graduate.”
Committed to inspiring the next generation of arborists
Iain Forbes, Business Support Coordinator at Avove, added:
“As a business, we are committed to inspiring the next generation of talent and there is no better way of achieving this than having former students share their first-hand experiences.”
The session inspired students so much that a few have gone on to contact Avove to pursue careers. Speaking on the student’s eagerness to further their career in vegetation management, Iain said:
“Already we have received several CVs from students, with many more expressing an interest in pursuing a career as an arborist or surveyor once they leave college. The college have asked us to return in January 2026 to explore additional career and development opportunities.”
Grow your arborist career at Avove
Whether you’re looking for a change and want to train as an arborist or you’re an experienced vegetation management professional looking for your next step – we have a range of opportunities for you to develop your skills and grow your career. If you want to work for an employer who cares about your professional development and want the opportunity to make a difference from your first day – you belong at Avove.