SCOTLAND: FREE 'ARB Approved Contractor' Workshop - 8th Jan.

[scotspine1]

Hi Paul,

 

thanks for running the workshop up here, glad I made the trip over to Edinburgh, good venue, easy to find.

 

Picked up loads of good info and ideas for running the business better and was pleased to see the importance that's put on the work site visit during the day the company is assessed.

 

The only thing I was concerned about was that to attain the AAAC status you dont need any treework qualifications as in RFS Cert Arb, ISA Cert Arb etc. Proof of knowledge in areas like tree biology, pest and disease, trees and the law etc.

 

I do understand that you'd be expecting to see and hear evidence of a tree surgeon's/arborist's arb knowledge on the day of the assessment. But I'd expect potential clients to assume an AAAC company would have at least RFS Cert or equivalent?

 

Cheers

 

Tim

 

 

.

Edited January 10, 2013 by scotspine1

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Paul,

 

thanks for running the workshop up here, glad I made the trip over to Edinburgh, good venue, easy to find.

 

Picked up loads of good info and ideas for running the business better and was pleased to see the importance that's put on the work site visit during the day the company is assessed.

 

The only thing I was concerned about was that to attain the AAAC status you dont need any treework qualifications as in RFS Cert Arb, ISA Cert Arb etc. Proof of knowledge in areas like tree biology, pest and disease, trees and the law etc.

 

I do understand that you'd be expecting to see and hear evidence of a tree surgeon's/arborist's arb knowledge on the day of the assessment. But I'd expect potential clients to assume an AAAC company would have at least RFS Cert or equivalent?

 

Cheers

 

Tim

 

 

.

 

Hi Tim, thanks for the post and indeed for joining me on the day, the pleasure was mine (partly influenced by your chosen 'biccies' contribution )

 

I'm also glad to hear you found the day useful and informative. As we discussed, many arborists, undertaking good quality work on a day-to-day basis, often work in splendid isolation unaware of specific H&S / industry good practice etc. issues. The workshop provides an opportunity to be updated on some of these issues.

 

Regarding your concern about the 'arb qualification' issue, or rather the fact you don't have to have one to be arb approved, this is historic in some respects and something we review at each annual technicial standards day.

 

The scheme has always sought to place more emphasis on knowledge and skills / competence, as imparted verbally and demonstrated practically on the assessment day, than on associated 'paper' qualifications (albeit some, i.e. certain NPTCs etc. are required) and also it comes from an era when arb quals weren't as readily available and accessible as they are these days, and many good, knowledgeable, contractors didn't have them.

 

Please don't think we don't recognise arb quals, as we absolutely do and always take the opportunity to promote and encourage attainment if they are not in place (particularly, for instance, the ISA Cert. Arb. qualification or AA Tech Cert Arb...both 'as was/were' and now level 2 / level 4 arb of course) but we don't feel not having one should preclude access to the scheme.

 

This may indeed change in the future, i.e. a min. level 2 arb qualification may become a manager 'pre-requisite', but for the time being it is something we will continue to encourage and promote.

 

Happy to receive your further thoughts, and/or indeed anyone elses.

 

Thanks for raising it Tim and again for your time in attending the workshop.

 

Best regards..

Paul

Edited January 10, 2013 by AA Teccie (Paul)