George Bryan, Drayton Manor Park

George Bryan Jnr, 31, is the Estate Manager at Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire, one of the UK’s favourite theme parks. The family-run business is set in 280 acres of lakes and parkland, and features a zoo which is home to more than 100 different species. George embarked on the Certified Arborist (with Tree Climbing) course, which was run by Cleartrack.

“I decided to go on the course with Cleartrack because, as the Estate Manager, I wanted the skills to manage the site effectively. I had no formal qualifications, but this didn’t put me off as I knew what I wanted to do. For years my family has looked after the estate, which includes hundreds of trees, and now that I have the responsibility to do the same I want to do a good job.

“It wasn’t easy to work, study and spend time with my family, but I persevered because I knew that the benefits, both immediately and long term, would outweigh these challenges.

“As a result of becoming a Certified Arborist, I have been able to save the company thousands of pounds per year. I am able to carry out the tree management work myself, rather than getting a specialist company to do the work, and I really enjoy it.

"As a result of becoming a Certified Arborist, I have been able to save the company thousands of pounds per year."

“The course has provided Drayton Manor Park with even more benefits, because at the minute I am in the process of setting up a tree surgery business. I have five groundsmen, one of whom is already qualified with chainsaws and is a climber, and I am looking to get a couple more of them qualified so that we can bring some money into the business. So as well as saving us thousands of pounds, we are also diversifying to bring in money.

“I really enjoyed the course, and even though I have no formal qualifications I feel that you never stop learning. I know that I will be studying for something else in the near future as I want to ensure I do the best job that I can.”