ARB Approved - Manager Qualifications

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi all, hope you don't mind me making a quick post here but I'm still, too often, receiving enquiries from contractors about manager 'academic' qualifications and citing that as the reason why they're not applying to be ARB Approved.

 

This is either because they don't have a formal arb qual. OR they do but it's not "Tech Cert" (which is 'no more' of course) and only RFS Cert Arb or City & Guilds Arb at level 2.

 

FIRSTLY, there is NO requirement for a formal academic arb qualification. I guess in the world of recruitment we would be saying it is 'DESIRABLE' as opposed to 'ESSENTIAL.'

 

SECONDLY, tis 'the (arb) knowledge' that is all conquering and you do need to have that to a reasonable level, as a contractor, and know when to refer upwards, i.e to the tree advisor / arb consultant.

 

To, briefly, explain. Whilst we do encourage arb etc. quals., and indeed we do like to see them, it is the knowledge and the ability to impart it verbally, and to a point in writing (quotes), that is important / essential. This also recognises that there are many very good and knowledgeable people out there who for whatever reason have never formalised this into a qualification and they shouldn't be precluded from becoming ARB Approved...and they absolutely aren't!

 

Conversely, I have experienced people presenting themselves with higher level arb quals who struggle either with the knowledge in the specific areas required, i.e. tree protections / trees and fungi / trees and the law / tree pruning etc. standards, or the ability to effectively impart it verbally.

 

So, in conclusion, please don't be put off from getting 'ARB Approved' if you don't have a formal arb qualification because if you've worked in the industry for 5+ yrs, and you're engaged, you will have the knowledge required. If however you're a little bit short in a couple of areas we'll agree a CPD plan with you to address it..."no worries!":thumbup1:

 

Thanks all..

Paul

[David Humphries]

Hi Paul,

 

very interesting take on a real time issue for many Arbs of a certain age who I'd imagine for one reason or another have not had the opportunity or time to undertake a journey into the appropriate academic stream.

 

Good to see the situation being addressed

 

On an ever so slightly different training tangent (and I know it wasn't your specific area, but....) what happened to the AALGO scheme?

 

Is it buried in a do to list or likely to be reborn out of the ashes like a phoenix?

 

ta muchly

 

 

 

.

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

Hi Paul,

 

very interesting take on a real time issue for many Arbs of a certain age who I'd imagine for one reason or another have not had the opportunity or time to undertake a journey into the appropriate academic stream.

 

Good to see the situation being addressed

 

On an ever so slightly different training tangent (and I know it wasn't your specific area, but....) what happened to the AALGO scheme?

 

Is it buried in a do to list or likely to be reborn out of the ashes like a phoenix?

 

ta muchly

 

 

 

.

 

Hi David, thanks for the reply.

 

Interestingly the 'age' thing doesn't seem to apply particularly. I guess you're referring to the fact that there are far more opportunities and routes to higher level study than previously..."when we were lads." That said I am encountering more people with FdSc's and BSc's, and in arb specifically, which is fantastic for the industry as a profession going forward...but they must ensure they have the basics, as I refer to them, in there too.

 

Anyhow's, 'AALGO', hmmm, "a blast from the past" and no plans for it to be reborn as far as I'm aware. Whilst it was deemed to be the LA Tree Officer equivalent to the AA Registered Consultant, i.e. a professional competent in their field (or is that a 'farmer'? ) it never really took off and it was very resource heavy.

 

Cheers fer now

Paul