Dan Percival
Suffolk Rural alumnus Dan Percival has turned his training into a fast‑paced arboriculture career with JF Tree Specialist Ltd.
Dan Percival joined Suffolk Rural in 2023 after completing his GCSEs, enrolling on the T Level in Arboriculture and quickly discovering a passion for working with trees. The course offered a strong blend of classroom learning and hands‑on experience, with weekly practical sessions covering climbing, felling and essential industry techniques. Alongside this, modules such as tree science helped him build the technical understanding needed for professional arboriculture.
The practical focus of the T Level proved invaluable as Dan prepared to enter the industry. The structured training, supportive teaching, and exposure to real equipment and procedures gave him the confidence to step straight into employment after leaving College last summer. Now working for JF Tree Specialist Ltd, he enjoys the physical, outdoor nature of the job and the variety that each day brings.
Much of Dan’s current work involves council contracts for Essex Highways, including crown raising, emergency call‑outs and roadside safety work, in a fast‑paced environment that has helped him continue developing his skills. He describes the transition from College to industry as brilliant, especially the chance to work outdoors in all conditions and apply what he learned in a real‑world setting.
For anyone considering the course, Dan’s advice is clear: arboriculture is a specialist path, and the courses at Suffolk Rural are the perfect route for anyone wanting to enter the professional tree care industry. With commitment and the right training, it opens the door to a rewarding and highly practical career.