Who qualifies

• You must be age 18 – 36.
• You must have NPTC qualifications, minimum CS30, 31, 36 and 38.


• Ideally you will also have an arboricultural qualification such as an HND, ND or NC or City and Guilds.
• You must have good a minimum 12 months work experience.

It is easy to apply for a position, and it takes about 6 – 8 weeks to process the paperwork. We use a J-1 visa which is a cultural exchange visa. (if you have had a previous J-1 visa please call us to see if you qualify). This is the process:

1. Email, call or write to IET to request an information pack.


2. Complete the registration form in the pack and send it back to us in the prepaid envelope provided.


3. Our Arboricultural Placement Manager, Georgina Pavey will contact you to discuss the opportunity and the placements available.


4. You will need to come to our Tunbridge Wells office for a personal interview.


5. US employers will call you on the telephone for an interview.


6. US employers will offer you a position if you did well on the interview.


7. If you choose to accept their offer of placement, IET will send you visa forms to complete.


8. Once you have returned the USA visa forms, you will need to pay the IET fees (see below). IET will begin processing your visa application.


9. When the visa application is approved you will need to attend a short interview at the US embassy in London.


10. You will receive your visa in your passport and fly to the USA to begin the placement.

Financial benefits:
You will earn between $13 - $18 an hour for a 40 – 45 hour week. The variance depends on your experience and the location of the tree company. On average you can expect to take home after taxes about $480 a week (£300). The cost of living in the US is less than the UK, so you will be able to live quite well and if you are frugal you can save money for your return.

Career benefits:
US companies tend to use bigger and better equipment than in the UK. You’ll likely be working with bucket trucks and cranes as well as the usual climbing equipment. This is excellent experience.

When you return to the UK, you’ll have more experience and UK employers look favourably upon people who have experienced working abroad. You’ll also likely earn more upon your return.

You will work on native US trees that you don’t see in the UK. The work is therefore going to be interesting for you, and will broaden your knowledge of working with trees.

IET only works with bona fide tree companies, so you will have an excellent experience

Personal benefits:
Travelling and working abroad is good for you! It helps you develop as a person and learn to be self sufficient, both financially and mentally.

You will meet lots of Americans, and judging on past experience of candidates, you will make many friends

The weather is a serious benefit! In most US states the summers are hot and it rains much less than in the UK.

How much does it cost?

It costs you very little to take up a placement in America. IET’s services are provided to you free of charge. You need to pay for your required health insurance which costs you £269.72. You are required to pay the US embassy fee of £67 to obtain the visa. (fee subject to change), and you need to pay for your flight. Some employers will pay a relocation fee to you of about $500 (£300).

Find out more…

Interested in finding out more…we suggest you pick up the phone and call Georgina Pavey on 01892-516164.