AA Vs ICF

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi RobArb,

 

No attempt to sway you the AA way, only to give a little more info.

 

The ICF (the Institute of Chartered Forestors) as the name implies hold the Royal Charter for Forestry AND Arb in UK&I and hence are the only body able to award 'Chartered Arboriculturist' status to individuals (previously the awarded only chartered forester but now inc. arb too). They also award Chartered Environmentalist status separately if you desire such OR the AA can also award CEnv. if you see any benefit from such (to be quite honest I don't know how, or indeed if, the two awards differ within the separate organistaions in repsect of qualifying criteria.)

 

The AA offer either higher level individual membership opportunities dependent upon qualification held, i.e. Ordinary / Associate / Tech Member / Prof Member / Fellow Member which is desigend to offer a career progression route to those who wish to follow that route. The alternative in terms of an individual competence accreditation, as I see it, for practising arboriculturist is AA Registered Consultant status which does require a level 4 qualification.

 

Not sure that really helps you much as what you really seek is feedback from those who are, or who have been, members of either of both on their relative values and I can't answer that I'm afraid. I guess the Journals etc. will have more of an arb bias with the AA but the you seem keen to 'branch out' (boo hoo!) into the forestry side so that may benefit you further.

 

Okay, as you can see, 'sales' is just not my bag but please ask away if you have any further questions. If you wanna call up the AA for a chat it's better to speak with Guy (Watson) as he is far more familiar with this.

 

Thanks n good luck with your FdSc...braver man than me gungadin!

Paul

[Silver Back]

The ISA are the only one to to Certified Arborist, just depends on where you are in the industry. So briefly Certified Arborist;

over 24,000 world wide,

has always had CPD in the form of Continuing Educational Units

as an ethics statement that has to be signed, as it is enforced

described as a level 2 qualification that requires level 3 knowledge

you can be certified an not be an ISA member

believe some Local Authorities are promoting Certified Arborists alongside AA Approved Contractors, we would obviously like all to do!

any further questions please pm me, we are also to looking to re-launch this next year with a more all encompassing approach - more news later

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

The ISA are the only one to to Certified Arborist, just depends on where you are in the industry. So briefly Certified Arborist;

over 24,000 world wide,

has always had CPD in the form of Continuing Educational Units

as an ethics statement that has to be signed, as it is enforced

described as a level 2 qualification that requires level 3 knowledge

you can be certified an not be an ISA member

believe some Local Authorities are promoting Certified Arborists alongside AA Approved Contractors, we would obviously like all to do!

any further questions please pm me, we are also to looking to re-launch this next year with a more all encompassing approach - more news later

 

Having previously studied the ISA Cert Arb course (but never did the exams) I completely vouch for its value, very good indeed (and I like, and agree, the way you refer to it as a level 2 qual requiring level 3 knowledge...here, here!)

 

In terms of promoting it alongside AA Approved Contractor, and I know we do the same in the 'Choose Your Arborist' leaflet, it's a different thing really. In essence it is a (very good) individual's craftsman/technician level qualification but not a company accreditation...sorry stating the obvious here!

 

Many of the AAAC managers hold the ISA Cert Arb qual and they always fare much better when it comes to the arb knowledge stuff asscoiated with the AAAC award.

 

Whether the ISA Cert Arb is the way to go for 'RobArb' curently studying for his FdSc Arb, and then onto BSc, I dunno but I would certainly promote the ISA Cert Arb for practising arbs alongside their NPTCs...go frit n 'pm' Silver Back.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[arb culture]

I'd say, as a member or past member of all three, that the AA, the ISA and the ICF are all worth joining for one reason or another.

 

Couldn't say which was best though - it depends on what you are wanting for your money.

 

I think if you have to choose one over the other it depends on what you want to do in the long term after you've finished your quals.

 

Do other professions have a similar dilemma I wonder?

[BatiArb]

For me the ISA has always been the organisation for practical arboriculture and one that supports the knowledge required for hands on tree work.

 

The Certified Arborist scheme is a fantastic way of practical arborists maintaining demonstrating their level of background knowledge and their commitment to continued professional development.

 

I think this is a natural progression for you Rob and for you to become a Certified Arborist now would mean that you would mean your effort put into the degree course will also double up as your CPD.

 

 

 

 

Many of the AAAC managers hold the ISA Cert Arb qual and they always fare much better when it comes to the arb knowledge stuff asscoiated with the AAAC award.

 

 

 

Paul,

 

What about encouraging the applicants for AAAC to demonstrate their staff are engaging in CPD.

 

It strikes me that the Certified Arborists offer companies a fantastic structure for managing their employees CPD.

 

 

 

.

[RobArb]

I guess the Journals etc. will have more of an arb bias with the AA but the you seem keen to 'branch out' (boo hoo!) into the forestry side so that may benefit you further.

 

 

I think from an Arb point of view journals, magazines and articles that are arb related would be of benefit to someone doing an "Arb" Foundation degree but on the other hand i could quiet easily see myself in forestry in the far off future.

 

Although you never actually know whats going to happen between now and then!

 

 

you can be certified an not be an ISA member

 

I like the idea of being certified without actually having to become a member as i feel the direction i would like to head in is definately becoming chartered rather than just certified.

 

My job at the mo is a long way from where i want to be but a job is a job and thats another story. Being certified would probably help the short term situation.

 

What are the processes of becoming certified without becoming a member?

 

 

I think this is a natural progression for you Rob and for you to become a Certified Arborist now would mean that you would mean your effort put into the degree course will also double up as your CPD.

 

 

 

From what i can gather off tutors and the like the CPD side of things degree wise comes more into it in the second year. Although i can see the advantages:)

 

 

I think this is a natural progression for you Rob and for you to become a Certified Arborist now would mean that you would mean your effort put into the degree course will also double up as your CPD.

 

 

 

From what i can gather off tutors and the like the CPD side of things degree wise comes more into it in the second year. Although i can see the advantages:)

 

 

It strikes me that the Certified Arborists offer companies a fantastic structure for managing their employees CPD.

 

I work for someone who doesn't even know what a CPD is:001_tt2:

 

 

Do other professions have a similar dilemma I wonder?

 

My missus is a physio for the for a PCT (part of the NHS) and she belongs to a couple of professional bodies but in this instance it all comes under one directive then sort of split into sections depending on the different practice within physio itself

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall I can see that each body has major advantages and i probably shouldn't stress too much over which one i should/could join. I think a good thing to do would be to get certified then join either the AA or the ICF, if i then feel its heading in a different direction to where i would like to go i could always join the other... i think joining both would be a bit excessive haha!!

Edited October 18, 2010 by RobArb

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

For me the ISA has always been the organisation for practical arboriculture and one that supports the knowledge required for hands on tree work.

 

The Certified Arborist scheme is a fantastic way of practical arborists maintaining demonstrating their level of background knowledge and their commitment to continued professional development.

 

I think this is a natural progression for you Rob and for you to become a Certified Arborist now would mean that you would mean your effort put into the degree course will also double up as your CPD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paul,

 

What about encouraging the applicants for AAAC to demonstrate their staff are engaging in CPD.

 

It strikes me that the Certified Arborists offer companies a fantastic structure for managing their employees CPD.

 

 

 

.

 

 

Hi Andrew, I hope all's well.

 

We do talk about CPD requirements, principally for managers, but as you quite rightly say it's important their staff are progressing too.

 

The ISA CA scheme certainly does offer a very good opportuntiy for such but before they can implement it they would need to get staff through the exams AND thereafter support them in their CPD. IMO many compaines aren't quite ready for this at the moment as being 'small' can present challenges in sponsoring what is seen as none essentially training and CPD. Particularly in the current climate BUT I do see this as an investment opportuntiy and it would hopefully help with staff retention.

 

that said some companies do it and it stands out during assesments.

 

Cheers..

Paul

[BatiArb]

Hi Andrew, I hope all's well.

Cheers..

Paul

 

Doing very well thank you. Business is picking up and family life is great.

 

We do talk about CPD requirements, principally for managers, but as you quite rightly say it's important their staff are progressing too.

 

The ISA CA scheme certainly does offer a very good opportuntiy for such but before they can implement it they would need to get staff through the exams AND thereafter support them in their CPD. IMO many compaines aren't quite ready for this at the moment as being 'small' can present challenges in sponsoring what is seen as none essentially training and CPD. Particularly in the current climate BUT I do see this as an investment opportuntiy and it would hopefully help with staff retention.

 

that said some companies do it and it stands out during assesments.

 

 

Yes, I do really believe this is a scheme that needs all the encouragement and support that the industry can give it.

 

In other countries it has been adopted with far more success than in the UK. I know we 'benefit' from a more comprehensive education and certification system, but the CA ensure the CPD is maintained and I think this is incredibly important as the industry knowledge moves forward so quickly.

 

As you say I think it is invaluable for companies to invest in their staff and encourage their engagement in the Certified Arborist scheme.

 

It would be really good if we could see adverts for jobs (as in other countries like US and Australia) that require applicants to be Certified Arborists. That just makes so much sense when it comes to ensuring the quality of applicants.

 

 

 

 

.