AA

[skyhuck]

AA is a load of rubbish you get nowt from them and there are to many celebrity arborists.

 

Edited October 30, 2009 by Amelanchier
Quote edit for consistency.

[Buzz]

You'd do well to remember DB, that the AA are nothing more than a trade association...... they are NOT a governing body. As such you have a choice whether to join or not, and this should not affect you standing as a professional Arborist.

 

If you're looking for a non political way of proving professionalism, i would strongly recommend that you look towards ISO 9001:2008 accreditation. ISO 9001:2008 - Quality management systems -- Requirements

 

 

Completely and utterly agree with all of that. Also look at CHAS and Constructionline.

 

AA Approved contractor scheme help with local authority framework agreements as there is such a long history between LA's and AAC scheme. It is still (wrongly) viewed as a bench mark for these agreements.

 

It also help with domestic work as more people than you think are familiar with the logo having seen it on adverts in the Yellow Pages etc.

 

When it comes to commercial work, 95% of the time when you say you are an a AA Approved contractor they will look at you blankly. It means nothing to most of the construction industry and facilities management companies.

 

I hope that these proposed reforms in 2011 have some impact on the scheme.

[Buzz]

Always found it a bit of an old boy's club. And their training events are far too expensive.

 

I'm telling on you lol

[dangerous brian]

Mabe a represnetitive from the AA,should come on here and fight his corner,we all know there watching,they just wont admit it.

[benedmonds]

I get to sign my Quotes: Ben Edmonds BSc Tech.Arbor.A.. Plus a really borring technical journal that sometimes relates to what we do..

 

Thats got to be worth the £125 a year.

 

Any one looked into the Trust Mark Scheme?

[John Wilson]

I see I have been edited in my last post. My apologies for the language but im only expressing an opinion.

[Mesterh]

As far as i know you cannot use their logo. Full Stop AA seems a bit of an old boys club. IMO

 

As andy clark has said ISO is the way to go if your chasing the big stuff

 

Are well another good reason not to join then!

 

Still gonna stick there logo on my van though

[Tree cutter Stu]

AA is a load of rubbish you get nowt from them and there are to many celebrity arborists.

 

who are the A listers you are talking about ???

[scuff]

Better to join the other AA, at least they will get you out of the smelly stuff when your truck breaks down.

[Doug Blease]

I think its a bit of a shame that so many are dead against the AA. You dont have to join if you dont want to. I pay a student subscription to them while I study for my degree, which I find quite good value for money.

 

I dont see the pressure to be an AAAC unless your main competitor for LA work is getting all the work over you. As mentioned there are many quality assurance schemes which we could all sign up for, all optional, all with various benefits for staff, employer and customer. Take your pick.

 

I have some reservations about the AA however they are a useful training provider and publish a decent amount of informative material. Those that think their training courses are too expensive...arent all courses expensive? I havent come across one yet which isnt a financial decision whether to do it or not.

 

Also it reduces your insurance premium probably more than your annual subscription.

 

Doug Blease