Land Based
Short Courses
Guide
we NuRture
ambition
eastdurham.ac.uk
Welcome to our
short courses training
edc Houghall Campus Land Based Short Courses Guide
Whether it’s specialist
training to develop your
professional skills and
enhance your career
prospects, or just as
a hobby, East Durham
College’s Houghall
Campus is sure to have
a short course to suit.
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Our courses range from the
practical hobby-based, with the
likes of bee keeping, dog agility,
floral design and horticulture
masterclasses, to business-based
training aimed specifically at
keeping you up-to-date with the
knowledge and qualifications
your industry sector demands.
Many of our courses require
no previous experience or
qualifications so are ideal if
you’d like to try something new.
And who knows, what started out
as a new pastime could lead
to a new career and change
of direction in your life.
Based at the spacious and
tranquil setting of Houghall, only
two miles from Durham city centre,
we offer informal novice classes
through to formal industry required
qualifications. And, if you don’t
see what you’re looking for in this
leaflet, tell us - we’ll do all we
can to give you what you need.
Our short courses run throughout
the year and include evening and
weekend times - so there’ll always
be something to fit in when it
suits you.
With courses suitable for both work
and leisure or perhaps as a gift,
our highly experienced specialist
instructors are here ready to
inspire you.
These courses do not attract fee
remission and therefore everyone
who enrols on them will be
expected to pay the fee detailed
in full.
For more details or to book
a place please call
0191 375 4716
or call the switchboard on
0191 375 4700
we NuRture ambition
ASSOCIATION OF
BRITISH RIDING SCHOOLS
guide.
City & Guilds Approved Centre
Many of our short courses lead to competency
assessment in a variety of practical skills accredited
by the City & Guilds National Proficiency
Tests Council (NPTC).
If fact, we have been an approved
assessment centre for City & Guilds
NPTC for over 20 years.
Animal Care & Management
>> Bee Keeping - College Certificate
>> Cost: £180
>> Course Length: x10, 2 hour sessions
A great introduction to bee keeping. The course provides an insight into the management
and housing of bees.
>> Horse Care Level 1 to 3 - ABRS Certificates
>> Cost: £130 (plus £10 per exam for each level) >> Course Length: 12 hours, 4 or 6 sessions
This course is a 12-hour course, run either as an evening class (6 sessions of 2 hours each)
or on Saturday mornings (4 sessions of 3 hours each). This is a practical and theory course
in aspects of equestrianism. The course provides trainees with sufficient knowledge and
skills to enable them to successfully provide fundamental care to the horse. This is an
Association of British Riding School (ABRS) accredited course.
>> Dog Agility - College Certificate
>> Cost: £100
>> Course Length: x10, 1½ hour weekly sessions
This course caters for beginners in dog agility. The course covers basic commands,
agility equipment, designing a course and practical dog agility. Your dog will love it!
Please note: All dogs must be fully vaccinated.
>> Dog Grooming - Introduction to Bathing & Drying - College Certificate
>> Cost: £160
>> Course Length: x6, 3 hour weekly sessions
This course caters for beginners and will introduce participants to grooming equipment,
health and safety, preparation for grooming and bathing.
edc Houghall Campus Land Based Short Courses Guide
Please note: All dogs must be fully vaccinated.
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>> Dog Grooming - Introduction to Cutting & Clipping - College Certificate
>> Cost: £360
>> Course Length: x12, 3 hour weekly sessions
It is mandatory that the above bathing and drying course is completed prior to students
taking up a place on this course. This course provides training in basic cutting and clipping
(Practical skills) towards breed standards.
Please note: All dogs must be fully vaccinated.
>> Level 3 Introductory Dog Grooming - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £1,750
>> Course Length: x25, 6 hour sessions
Following the City & Guilds syllabus for the Level 3 Introductory Dog Grooming Course.
All trainees must have their own grooming kit.
>> Emergency First Aid for Dogs - College Certificate
>> Cost: £65
>> Course Length: 1 day
This course covers first aid for the injured dog, nutrition, feeding and the general care
of canines. Suitable for pet owners and anyone working with dogs; such as police, prison,
guide dogs for the blind.
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Arboriculture (Tree Care), Forestry and Horticulture
>> Chainsaw Maintenance (CS Unit 30 002/3) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £390 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees)
>> Course Length: 2 days
This unit covers the regular operator maintenance required for top or rear handled chainsaws in
workshop and field conditions, including starting procedures and pre-work checks. NPTC units of
competence are included.
>> Tree Felling - Including Small Trees (CS Unit 31 004) City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £440 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 3 days
This unit covers trees whose effective diameter at felling height is between 200mm and 380mm
(i.e. less than guide bar length). Maximum recommended guide bar length: 380mm. Trainees
should hold a CS Unit 30 002/3 qualification prior to training.
>> Combined Chainsaw Maintenance and Tree Felling (CS30 002/3 & CS31 004) City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £730 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 5 days
Course details as above for CS Units 30 002/3 & 31 004.
>> Advanced Tree Felling - Including Medium to Large Trees
(CS Unit 32 011) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £640 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 3 days
This unit covers trees with an effective diameter at felling height between 380mm and 760mm
(i.e. 1-2 times guide bar length) and/or trees with effective diameter at felling height over 760mm.
Maximum recommended guide bar length: 380mm. The felling technique may include boring
through the centre of the sink. Trainees must hold Units
CS30 002/3 and CS31 004 prior to training.
>> Basic Tree Climbing, Including How to Climb Trees and Perform Aerial Tree Rescue (CS
Unit 38 013) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £790 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 7 days
This course covers the minimum requirements for a groundsperson working with a climber in
arboriculture. Pole rescue and tree identification are additional modules.
>> Operate the Chainsaw from a Rope with Harness (CS Unit 39 008) City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £640 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 3 days
This unit covers the use of the chainsaw in the tree, carrying out a range of cutting techniques.
Trainees should hold the CS30 002/3, CS31 004 and CS38 013 units prior to training.
Maximum recommended guide bar length 380mm.
Arboriculture (Tree Care), Forestry and Horticulture cont.
>> Advanced Pruning and Dismantling (CS Unit 40 0021-07 & CS Unit 41 002109) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £740 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees)
>> Course Length: 5 days
The course covers crown thinning, crown reduction, dismantling and the new rope rigging/
zip line techniques.
>> MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms) - Lantra Certificate
>> Cost: £290 (plus registration and assessment fee) >> Course Length: 2 days
This course is designed for anyone who uses or will be using a mobile elevated work
platform (scissor or boom – vehicle mounted or self-propelled) in the land based industries
or construction industry.
>> Use of a Chainsaw from MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)
(CS Unit 47) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £260 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 1 day
Trainees should hold units CS30 002/3 and CS31 004 alongside the MEWPs qualification.
This unit covers the removal of lateral limbs and vertical stems from MEWPs. Maximum
recommended guide bar length 380mm.
>> Pole Pruning (CS Unit 48 006) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £260 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 1 day
This course is designed for anyone who uses or will be using powered pole pruners.
All candidates must hold unit CS30 002/3.
edc Houghall Campus Land Based Short Courses Guide
>> Tree Inspections - College Certificate
>> Cost: £630
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>> Course Length: 5 days
The course covers the purpose of tree inspection and identifying common tree species
using keys and other sources of information. The course also covers identifying common
diseases/disorders including sources of information and advice, increasing awareness
or stress-related tree problems, appreciation of the basic principles of legal controls
relating to trees, using technical inspection and tree identification equipment, inspecting
trees in appropriate situations, using various methods of recording data, prioritising work
management in relation to tree inspections and the principles of report writing.
>> Techniques for Dealing with Damaged Trees (CS Unit 50 0021-05) City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £680 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees)
>> Course Length: 3 days
This course covers the removal of uprooted and partially uprooted trees and snapped
trees. All candidates must hold units CS30 002/3 and CS31 004 prior to attending
this course.
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Pesticide Courses
The College offers a range of courses for people who require a certificate to enable them
to use pesticides.
These courses provide instruction and the opportunity to take the NPTC Proficiency Test which
meets all legal requirements.
All students must have a basic level of literacy and numeracy to enrol on any pesticide
related courses.
>> Safe Use of Pesticides (PA1) Foundation Module City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £225 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers the safety aspects of pesticides required by all pesticide operators including
legislation, techniques, PPE, storage, mixing methods, etc. The PA1 test requires attendance at
an additional session for a one hour online test.
>> Hand Held Applicators (PA6) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £200 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers the operation, calibration and maintenance of knapsack sprayers. The PA6 test
requires attendance at an additional session for assessment.
>> Field Crop Sprayers (PA2) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £350 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 2 days
The course covers the operation, calibration, maintenance and field techniques of tractor
mounted sprayers. It is also suitable for quad bikes and other mounted sprayers. The PA2 requires
attendance at an additional session for assessment.
Machinery and Mechanisation
>> Tractor Operation and Basic Maintenance - College Certificate
>> Cost: £290
>> Course Length: 2 days
The course covers general health and safety at work, daily maintenance requirements,
identification and use of tractor controls, pre-checks before starting a tractor, starting and
stopping procedures, tractor operation, safety implications of operating tractors on a bank
and knowledge of the safe use of PTO shafts.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £390
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> Operation and Maintenance of Tractor Mounted Implements College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course is designed for experienced tractor drivers.
>> Side Arm Flail (Tractor Mounted Hedgecutter) - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £290 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees)
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers health and safety, operation and maintenance of a tractor mounted
attachment for hedge cutting.
>> Forklift Truck Telehandler - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £290 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees)
>> Course Length: 1 day
This course covers health & safety, operation and maintenance of the forklift truck
(telehandler).
edc Houghall Campus Land Based Short Courses Guide
>> Ride-on Mowers Operation and Maintenance - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
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The course covers health and safety, road worthiness, operator maintenance, starting and
stopping procedures, gear and speed selection, operating procedures including mowing
patterns and quality.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £230
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> Trailer Manoeuvres and Reversing - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course is designed for people using trailers, horse boxes, boat trailers, caravans etc.
The course covers legislation, safety operation and techniques.
>> Grave Digging - City & Guilds NPTC Certificate
>> Cost: £690 (inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees) >> Course Length: 4 days
This course covers health and safety, record keeping, standards of work, materials
and equipment, manual and mechanical grave digging, shoring and excavation of
graves and duties and responsibilities. NPTC training and assessment on 180 or 360
mechanical excavators.
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>> Brushcutter/Strimmer (Cord or Metal Blade) - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers maintenance, operation and use in various situations.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £230
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> Brushwood Chipper - College Certificate
>> Cost: £70
>> Course Length: ½ day
The course covers safety, machine maintenance, chipping and various adjustments on your own
personal machine.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £170
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> Hedgecutters - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers health and safety, operation and maintenance, cutting hedges and basic
pruning techniques.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £230
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> Pedestrian Mowers Operation and Maintenance - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130 >> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers health and safety, operation and maintenance, starting and stopping
procedures, operating procedures, including mowing on banks and mowing patterns and quality.
This course is also available as a NPTC Certificate at a cost of £230
(inc. NPTC registration and assessment fees).
>> ROLO (Registration Of Land based Operatives) Health & Safety Awareness
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The ROLO scheme is open to anyone who works in the land based industry. The Department of
Trade & Industry made it a ‘duty of care’ that all trade bodies ensure that their members were
adequately trained in health & safety and that all employers should show that personnel are
properly trained. The course covers European legislation, HSE law (RIDDOR), hazardous substances
(COSHH), personal protective equipment, risk assessments, health risks, first aid, fire prevention,
safety signs and environmental issues.
For more details on the ROLO scheme please
call the College’s Business Academy team
on 0191 518 8294.
Floral Designs & Floristry
A variety of three to four week courses are available throughout the year.
These are structured from beginners through to professional Masterclasses
and cover a range of different skills and tasks, including seasonal arrangements.
All flowers and materials are included in the course fees. Courses include:
>> Christmas Flowers - College Certificate
>> Wedding Flowers - College Certificate
>> Flowers for Your Home - College Certificate
>> Party Flowers - College Certificate
£100
£100
£100
£100
Horticulture - Gardening
>> Amateur Gardening – Practical Course
>> Cost: £170
>> Course Length: 20 hours over 10 weeks
A seasonal practical course to suit the amateur gardener. Typical topics on offer include
bench grafting (woody deciduous and evergreens), pruning (fruit trees/bushes/canes,
ornamental trees, shrubs and climbers), seed sowing, pricking out seedlings, propagation
(hardwood cuttings and coniferous evergreens) and planting standard trees.
>> The Principles of Garden Planning and Establishment Level 2 - RHS Certificate
>> Cost: £550 (plus £52 RHS exam fee) >> Course Length: 75 hours over 30 weeks
Following the RHS Syllabus for Level 2 with examinations in February and June.
edc Houghall Campus Land Based Short Courses Guide
Horticulture - Turf Culture
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>> Sports Area, Marking Out, Winter Pitches - College Certificate
>> Cost: £260
>> Course Length: 2 days
The course covers the use of metric tapes, establishment of right angles, layout of base
construction lines, use of marking equipment, marking out of rugby, football and hockey
pitches and accuracy and correction of existing pitches.
>> Spring Maintenance of Fine Sports Turf - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers the spring maintenance of fine turf including weed/disease control,
top dressing, scarification and aeration.
>> Autumn Maintenance of Fine Sports Turf - College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers the autumn maintenance of fine turf including disease recognition
and control, top dressing and aeration.
>> Cricket Wicket Preparation and Maintenance College Certificate
>> Cost: £130
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers the preparation of the square, wicket and marking out for matches.
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Estate Skills
>> Introduction to Dry Stone Walling – College Certificate
>> Cost: £150
>> Course Length: 1 day
Understanding the principles of dry stone wall building. Select and sort stone, develop practical
skills, be able to recognise and use tools safety. All materials/tools are provided.
>> Introduction to Dry Stone Walling – College Certificate
>> Cost: £270
>> Course Length: 2 day
Understanding the principles of dry stone wall building. Select and sort stone, develop practical
skills, be able to recognise and use tools safety. You will develop your practical skills on different
wall styles and stone types, including dressing stone. All materials/tools are provided.
>> Hedge Laying - College Certificate
>> Cost: £650
>> Course Length: 5 days
The course covers the preparation of the site for work, cutting and laying pleaches, staking and
binding the hedge, day-to-day operations.
>> Fence Erection - College Certificate
>> Cost: £260
>> Course Length: 2 days
The course covers various specifications including post and rail and strained wire.
>> Hard Landscaping - College Certificate
>> Cost: Price on Application >> Course Length: 8 days
The course covers paving, concreting and block paving.
>> Abrasive Wheels Regulations - College Certificate
>> Cost: £70
>> Course Length: ½ day
The course covers selecting and fitting of specific cutting wheels, inspection and recognition of
common defects on a cutting wheel, starting a cut-off saw safely and how to use a cut-off saw
in a safe manner.
>> Introduction to Coppicing – College Certificate
>> Cost: £120
>> Course Length: 1 day
Coppicing is a woodland management method in which the wood from a tree is harvested by
cutting a suitable tree near ground level. The course will cover practical coppicing skills including
delimbing coppice rods, stacking of coppice materials and the safe use of tools.
>> Introduction to Tree Felling with Hand Tools – College Certificate
>> Cost: £120
>> Course Length: 1 day
The course covers practical tree felling skills including delimbing,
stacking felled materials and the safe use of tools.
Application Form
>> Mr Mrs Miss Ms (delete as appropriate)
>> Surname ...................................................................................................................................................................
>> First name(s) ...........................................................................................................................................................
>> Address...........................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
>> Tel No ..............................................................................................................
>> Mobile No ......................................................................................................
>> Email...............................................................................................................
>> Course(s) you are applying for........................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
Please complete and return to:
FREEPOST, Short Courses, East Durham College,
Houghall, Durham, DH1 3BR
For more details or to apply by phone
please call the Short Course Team on
0191 375 4716
or email
enquiries@eastdurham.ac.uk
0191 375 4700
eastdurham.ac.uk
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ASSOCIATION OF
BRITISH RIDING SCHOOLS