Which HCC course?

[Midge]

Going to enroll in one of the HCC courses soon but unsure weather to go for the Diploma or the certificate course?

The reason I want to do it is just to learn more about arboriculture. Hopefully it will help me with work but it isn't a major concern for work, more for personal learning.

 

Ideally I'd do the full ABC/RFS course but I can't afford all the tickets to get the full qualification unfortunately so that's out of the equation.

 

So, Diploma covers the following subjects...

 

Lesson 1 – Tree Knowledge. Identification, a tree collection, tree age, street trees.

 

Lesson 2 – Nursery Practices. Tree and shrub tendering, nursery stock-pricing.

 

Lesson 3 – Tree establishment. Woodland design, urban soils, nutrition of trees and shrubs.

 

Lesson 4 – The Tree’s Environment. Ecology. Vegetation analysis, trees and pollution.

 

Lesson 5 – Design and Management of Woodlands. Contracts in arboriculture.

 

Lesson 6 – Plant Health. Plant pathology including a directory of pests and diseases.

 

Lesson 7 – Biology of Woody Plants. Plant science in arboriculture.

 

Lesson 8 – Legislation and Arboriculture. Health and Safety. Hazard identification.

 

Lesson 9 – Maintenance of Woody Plants. Arboriculture specifications.

 

Lesson 10 – Miscellaneous. Autumn colour in sequence. Arboriculture associations.

 

Certificate covers....

 

Lesson 1 – Amenity Woodland

 

Lesson 2 – Formation and Properties of Soil

 

Lesson 3 – Tree Nomenclature and Plant Selection

 

Lesson 4 – Ill Health of Trees

 

Lesson 5 – Plant Handling and Supply

 

Lesson 6 – Shrub and Tree Pruning

 

Lesson 7 – Tree Inspection and Surveys

 

Lesson 8 – Tree Felling and Disposal

 

Lesson 9 – Health, Safety and Legal Issues

 

Lesson 10 – Maintaining Equipment

 

 

Which do you think would be best for a general learner? I'm learning more towards the certificate over the Diploma.

 

Cheers.

[dtms]

Both sound good

 

Sent from my RG500 using Arbtalk mobile app

[benedmonds]

I signed up for the HCC course 10 years ago and it was a waste of money..

It might have changed, it might now be fantastic, but I would look into it.

[Midge]

I will double check but it seems like quite a few people on here are enrolled on a HCC course so can't be all bad anymore?

[Monkeyface]

Whoever you go with and whichever course you choose, make sure the course leads to an actual qualification provided by a government approved awarding body (e.g. ABC, BTEC, LANTRA, etc.) and not just a certificate from the learning provider, otherwise it may not be recognised by an employer.

 

For example

- ABC Awards are an awarding body that accredit the ABC level 2, 4 and 6 certificate/diploma in arboriculture

- BTEC / City and Guilds are an awarding body that accredit the level 2 and 3 diploma in arboriculture

 

Training providers are allowed to write their own courses, but unless they are vetted by an awarding body then they are not vetted for quality by anyone external to the training provider.

 

If the courses are not accredited by an awarding body then they may not be recognised by employers, either nationally or internationally or by industry associations (important if you need a qualification for membership levels).

 

The AA have some good information

 

Careers and qualifications Arboricultural Association - A guide to careers and qualifications

 

and a

 

directory of training providers for technical qualifications.

 

Arboricultural Association - Directory of UK Arboricultural education and training providers

 

Enjoy it whatever you do.

[Midge]

Thanks for the reply Monkey face will certainly have a look at the links.

 

I think the two courses I mentioned in the OP are not recognised by anyone other then HCC, but it's just something I want to do for myself at the moment to learn more about arboriculture.

 

Hopefully in the future I will be able to do the full ABC/ RFS course and gain a widely recognised qualification!

Edited March 9, 2017 by Midge