Douglas Porter
Study Type: School Leaver Vocational
Study Location: Broomfield Hall
Subject Studied: Arboriculture
Tree surgeon Douglas set to branch out abroad
A schoolboy who loved climbing has grown up to be a skilled tree surgeon planning to work on the other side of the world. Douglas Porter (19) says Derby College “set me up for the future” and he wakes up excited about work every day.
The Tansley teenager’s parents used to be Park Rangers on Derbyshire’s High Peak Trail and when he went out with them as a boy he “just loved climbing trees.”
He helped out, aged just 15 with a local tree surgeons’ business, where members of staff recommended Broomfield Hall to him.
Douglas gained a distinction after studying for the college’s one year Level 2 Diploma in Forestry Arboriculture.
He enjoyed the “hands-on” course, which included chainsaw maintenance, industry legislation, how to climb and work safely and a business module. He gained his Level 3 with a merit at a college in York
Derby College set me up for the future and really pushed my climbing – every day I wake up and I'm looking forward to work. At the moment I'm planning to go to New Zealand. The country looks amazing and the job is better paid over there.