AA Teccie (Paul)

Tom, I do recall your comments here and the whole issue of marketing and promotion, in particular with Google / Facebook / Twitter etc., highlights a lack of expertise in the AA. This is something we are increasingly aware of and hope to address in the near future. In the meantime I will, again, feed your comments back, thanks! Cheers.. Paul

Consider't'kettle on...not that advanced at the show but plenty of food booths and AA credit card....we're sorted, ha! Excellent, see you theer! Paul

SORRY for the random postings, didn't realise the 'Post QUick Reply' didn;t attcah to the roiginal message....DOOOOOOOHHHHH! Cheers all. Paul

We are trying, honestly. IF yu knew how hard we'd worked trying to get on the 'Rogue TRaders' show, but, regardless of speaking with severla programme researchers with promises of exposure (censored!) it just doesn't happen....aghhhhhh!!!!! We are trying to get more proesence at regional countryside / agric shows in the hope that helps. As you say tho more 'ArbACs' = wider expeosrure automatic. Cheers.. Paul

Thank you, I know theer is still much to do but hopefully we're now on the right track. Cheers.. Paul

T'be honest 'TreeGeek' (great name!) I'd rather discuss general matters in open forum so everyone benefits. If you have particular issues with specific companies have you spoken with them directly? I'm not naive to think they are perfect, by any means, and often, with expansion, standards slip, and sometimes significantly, and controlling them is very difficult. This is one of te reasons we have introduecd the more frequent re-inspections and I'm confident this will help. Ultimately tho I'm sure HSE would be most interested in osme of teh practices you cite...as indeed would I if you have clear evidence. Regarding the public not knowing about teh Arb Assoc, I know this only too well and I wonder if MoP know about NICEI for elctricians or BALI for landscapers etc. In part, it's down to those who see benefit and support the scheme to help spread the word such that compentent arborists / tree surgeons become associated with the ARB Approved Contractor sattus and logo. AA is never gonna be a household name, realistically other than maybe 'CORGI' (now 'GAS SAFE...how many home owners are aware of that change?), no industry scheme is. The FC, perhaps Woodland Trust and RHS but people, keen gardeners, can become memebrs of teh last two. In the current difficult economic climate several applications are being received form long established businesses, working principally in the domestic / residentila sectors, who are looking for a recognition to make them stand above the ''bob a job tree cutter'' and with the new small business accreditation they now can. So, where would you like me to send the applictaion form?, ha. At the end of the day all I ask is you consider my comments above and post back, call me, shoudl you wish to discuss further...tahnk you! Cheers.. Paul

At looooooooooooooooooooooong last we woke up and listened, sorry it took so long but better late than never (hopefully!) We always desired to be representative but, in ignorance, actually worked in splendid isolation....still that's in the past and moving forward we are...THANKs to you all. Best to all.. Paul

Excellent news, look forward to receiving it Tony. Cheers.. Paul

'b101uk', thanks for your post. You highlight a very important issue, that of 'choice', the scheme is not mandatory, there are 'others' out there, and the choice, or not as the case may be, is entirley yours. The scheme, I believe, is a real opportunity to gain credible recognition from a lead industry body for the service you deliver and the work you do. The set up in the photo, I acknowledge, could be improved but it is there for illustartive purposes and did not form part of an ARB Approved Contractor assessment. Lastly, any surpluses generated through the operations of the Association are re-invested to benefit it's membership and the wider industry...there is still much work to be done. Cheers.. Paul

In the Devon office (AKA 'home')...tel. 01803 845140 Look forward to yer call.. Paul

Thank you Rupe, I thought so too, ha!!!!! Aaaaanything underlying your 'interest' in particular, i.e. why? We have had a considerable amount of interest about the 'new look' scheme, and indeed we have sent out many hundereds of info/app packs, and indeed indeed we are now receiving applications from small businesses...BUT there's always room for more and the 'small' businesses are under-represented in the scheme. Currently we have around 18% 'small' businesses 'ARB Approved' but anecdotal evidence suggest the industry is approx. 70% small (micro) businesses...hence we've a long way to go. Post back, or call me, if you want to know more. Cheers.. Paul

Complicates things really, is it worth the hassle? I'll bring the paracetamol just in case, ha. Av'a'gud'un! Paul

Hi all, Just to let you know about a new initiative we've got running, again to make the scheme more accessible to smaller businesses. See below for further details and/or reply to me directly. Many thanks, and hope to see you at the 'ARB Fair'..! Paul Free_Assessment-Nom_Form[1].pdf

No aerial inspection...that's just toooooooo dangerous, ha! Paul

My best advice here, and the approach many small businesses are taking, is 'you' prepare the stump and the client purchases one of the proprietory products available from their local garden centre and apply it...or form their local salt 'seller' (forgive the pun!) and that way you avoid all the associated 'head-ache' issues. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Hama, apologies for delay. Fungi id and significance, as a recap subject, is a component part of the 3 day course and Ganoderma spp are specifically discussed...however probably not to the level you would find beneficial (bear in mind the course is pitched around a level 3 knowledge base...but, just to clarify, is NOT a level 3 qualification...because it is not a qualification.) Cheers.. Paul

Having that confirmation that "you can do what you could d already", in the form of a Lantra Awards (a nationally recognised training organsiation for the land based sector) PTI certificate may come in very handy if you are ever challenged in a legal situation and/or just for peace of mind. Further it may actually help you secure work as I have seen posts advertised previoulsy citing the PTI as a 'desirable' attribute. There ARE elements of the course that are trained, these mainly related to how information is recorded and prescribed, and it's a useful refresher for related arb technical knowledge too, so well worth considering. Further, as added value to the course, the networking opportunities with other colleagues is also realy useful. Hoping you see it as an opportunity. Cheers.. Paul

Absolutely, "well said that man"..! I reckon at least 18months expereince and ideally 2 years or more. If you don;t have this, in my experince as an assessor ofr the PTI, the tree inspection exercise will catch you out. Cheers.. Paul

Robert, It is the Lantra (Awards, not SSC (Sector Skills Council)) one and you don't need to retake it every 5 years that was a mis-understanding based on early certiifciates issued whihc used a generic Lantra Awards template aimed at chainsaw / tree climbing etc. practical skills courses whihc do expire after 5 years (BUT not yer NPTCs.) The expectation is that those who attain the PTI will submit to an ongong programme of CPD (continuing professional development) to keep up-to-date on issues and knowledge affecting competnet tree inspections. Hope this clarifies it...al little! Cheers.. Paul

Hi Lorry, With us its: Members £410 (+VAT) Non-members £450 (+VAT) So essentially upto £150 per day (+ the dreaded VAT of course.) Cheers.. Paul PS Son still in a state of shock after both his teams lost on Saturday...told him the Magpie's didn't so he needs a rethink, ha!

Hi Thomas, If you're within striking distance of Somerset we have one running on 6-8th September, see Professional Tree Inspection 3 Day Course To be honest, and NOT doing a sales pitch here, but, in my experience, those attendees who go residential, or B&B etc., generally seem to fare better with the assessment as they have time in the evenings to absorb the days teaching and do some revision. If this is no good there are other 'providers' who deliver it, try Treelife. Good luck..! Paul

So actually insurance and H&S, or rather a lack of it, did you (the event) a favour, ha. I agree, what people choose to do in their own time should be at their own risk, be it chasing cheese down a bl**dy steep hill or chucking burning barrells round the village (Now that really is mad!), and no need for others to intervene. Glad you had a gud'un..! Paul

HI Skyhuck, hope yer well! As you quite rightly say the HSE do not require an NPTC CoC for chippers as 'adequate training' is the legal requirement. However if the proverbial hits the fan, and chipper related accidents aren't that uncommon, relatively speaking, how do you prove/evidence 'adequate training' to HSE? As such, under the ArbAC scheme, we require evidence of auditable training and we expect to see either NPTC or the Lantra Awards ITA (Integrated Training & Assessment.) "Yes", belt n braces, but not consider it unreasonable to expect as training for the NPTC can be 'in-house', using the NPTC schedule as a basis, and then presenting candidates for extrenal audit. OR Lantr ITA, 4 trainees for 1 day training & assessment. Just to add to the mix.. Cheers.. Paul

Lorry, haha, he's beyond redemption I'm afraid. Nice one mate.. Cheers

Hi all, SORRY Guys, not a fan myself but my eldest is and when he can't watch 'the Reds' he watches 'the Yellows' (or 'Gulls') instead...AKA Torquay Utd. Hence I'm taking him to watch the League 2 Play-offs at the hallowed ground tomorrow and we plan to stay on and watch the 'BIG' game somewhere near the ground. He was hoping they would have a big screen inside the ground and we could pay to stya inside and watch but sadly not. Any suggestions..??? Many thanks.. Paul PS My team don 'Black n White' vertical stripes n 'Super Macs' my hero, ha!