The B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Group

New City & Guilds NPTC Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Brush Cutters and Trimmers (0014-41)

This course is essential for anyone who uses a brushcutter or trimmer in a professional capacity as part of their work in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, greenkeeping, parks, gardens and also in amenity use. It will provide the individual with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare and operate a brushcutter or trimmer safely and to industry standards in line with current legislation.

Individuals can choose either brushcutter or strimmer for assessment. But if we are not told we will register you for both.

The assessment covers pre-use checks, maintenance, identification of controls and instruments, and operating the machine taking into account the type of machine used, brushcutter or trimmer.

This qualification will support progression into employment where safe operation of a brushcutter or trimmer is part of the role. Safe operational skills are key to efficient use, good working practice and preventing accidents, leading to business benefits in terms of less machinery damage and down time.

Staff assessing these qualifications are approved Certificate of Competence City & Guilds NPTC Assessors. They do not have to be independent, but can be, or can have been involved with the training of the Candidate,  this effectively means that the same person can train and assess this qualification. Assessment may be carried out on the same day or the day following training depending on course numbers.

You will study the underpinning knowledge essential for correctly maintaining and safely operating a brushcutter/trimmer and receive tuition in how to maintain and safely operate a brushcutter/trimmer.

This qualification has two endorsements:

930 Trimmer
931 Brush-cutter

Candidates are encouraged to take their assessment with different cutting mechanisms to broaden their certification. Unless we are told otherwise we will register candidates for both endorsements.

There are eight learning outcomes for this qualification, they are:

  • LO1 Know how to carry out a risk assessment (Criteria 1.1)
  • LO2 Know the health and safety legislation that underpins trimmer and brush-cutter
    operations (Criteria 2.1)
  • LO3 Know the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for trimmer and brush
    cutter operations (Criteria 3.1)
  • LO4 Know the health and safety features of the equipment being used (Criteria 4.1)
  • LO5 Know how to maintain the trimmer / brush-cutter (Criteria 5.1-5.5)
  • LO6 Know how to operate a trimmer / brush-cutter (Criteria 6.1 - 6.2)
  • LO7 Understand different operating techniques (Criteria 7.1 - 7.2)
  • LO8 Know how to store equipment safely and appropriately (Criteria 8.1)

Each learning outcome will contain a number of assessment criteria, these are used in assessment.

This qualification is delivered by both theory delivery and practical demonstration and instruction. 

Candidates will have a course workbook to complete when they attend for training.

The qualification is usually assessed by the person that carried out the training, however an independent person (not connected with the training) who must be an authorised City & Guilds Assessor can also assess candidates. Small groups (1-3 persons) may be assessed on the same day, however larger groups (4-6 per persons) will be assessed on the following day.

You will receive a City & Guilds NPTC L2 Award in the Safe Use of Brush cutters and Trimmers (if you were registered for both brushcutters and trimmers).

If you have ask for only one endorsement i.e. brushcutter, or trimmer only one will be printed on your certificate. Note this is issued directly by City & Guilds NPTC.

 

Training is £160.00 per candidate, registration with CEPT is £ 27.00 and certification with City & Guilds NPTC is £35.00, assessment  is £ 72.00 total payable £294.00. Note there is no VAT as B.E.S.T. in Horticulture Education Limited is a Not-for-Profit Organisation. 

Courses will take place our Ryton Centre. However, if you would like this course delivered at your own site please contact us, we would be pleased to discuss viability and cost. Please contact Tony Davies by email. tonydavies@bestinhorticulture.co.uk

To book your place on a course, click on the green 'Enrol on this Course' button below; but if you would like this course delivered in the workplace, please contact Tony Davies by email tonydavies@bestinhorticulture.co.uk

We have a very high success rate in preparing candidates for assessment, to date we have achieved 100% success!

Please note we supply trainees with all items of PPE for this course (with the exception of safety footwear, which must be supplied by the trainee/candidate).

You can go on to undertake training in a variety of Certificates of Competence applicable to your role. For example:

If you work as a garden maintenance operative (gardener), the following might be useful:

  • Manual handling
  • Safe application of pesticides (Pa1)
  • Hand held applicators (Pa6)
  • Occasional chainsaw user
  • Brushcutter/strimmer
  • Hand held hedge trimmer
  • Pedestrian mower
  • Leaf blower/vacuum
  • Amenity shredder
  • Ride on mowers
  • Compact tractors

If you work as a landscaper, the following might be useful:

  • Manual handling
  • Safe application of pesticides (Pa1)
  • Hand held applicators (Pa6)
  • Occasional chainsaw user
  • Brushcutter/strimmer
  • Plant machinery360 degree excavator
  • Dumper
  • Abrasive wheel machine
Course dates at Ryton

25th June 2026, 1st October 2026, 3rd December 2026, 4th February 2027, 6th May 2027

Time

09.30 am

Places

6

Prices

£294.00

Sorry, there is currently no availability for this course, for further information on when there will be availability for this course, please feel free to contact us.

New Level 2 Award in the Safe Use of Brushcutters and Trimmers – Integrated

£294.00

This course is essential for anyone who uses a pedestrian controlled mower in a professional capacity as part of their work in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, greenkeeping, parks, gardens and also in amenity use. It will provide the individual with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare and operate a mower safely and to industry standards in line with current legislation.

Individuals can choose the type of mower for assessment. The assessment covers pre-use checks, maintenance, identification of controls and instruments, and operating the machine taking into account the type of cutting mechanism used (e.g. rotary, cylinder, flail or reciprocating knife).

This qualification will support progression into employment where safe operation of mowers is part of the role. Safe operational skills are key to efficient use, good working practice and preventing accidents, leading to business benefits in terms of less machinery damage and down time.

Staff assessing these qualifications are approved Certificate of Competence City & Guilds NPTC Assessors. They do not have to be independent, but can be, or can have been involved with the training of the Candidate,  this effectively means that the same person can train and assess this qualification. Assessment may be carried out on the same day or the day following training depending on course numbers.

Description

This course is essential for anyone who uses a brushcutter or strimmer in a professional capacity as part of their work in agriculture, horticulture, landscaping, grounds maintenance, greenkeeping, parks, gardens and also in amenity use. It will provide the individual with the knowledge, understanding and skills required to prepare and operate a brushcutter/strimmer safely and to industry standards in line with current legislation.

This qualification will support progression into employment where safe operation of brushcutters or strimmers is part of the role. Safe operational skills are key to efficient use, good working practice and preventing accidents, leading to business benefits in terms of less machinery damage and down time.

Staff assessing these qualifications are approved Certificate of Competence City & Guilds NPTC Assessors. They do not have to be independent, but can be, or can have been involved with the training of the Candidate,  this effectively means that the same person can train and assess this qualification. Assessment may be carried out on the same day or the day following training depending on course numbers.

Additional information

Course

25th June 2026, 1st October 2026, 3rd December 2026, 4th February 2027, 6th May 2027