AA Teccie (Paul)

C'mon Jim, you've been telling ME that for ages too good stuff, thanks for the post. Paul

Hi Ed, good to hear, hope you're well. yep, sounds good n many have the confidence to progress direct to assessment. However, some need more time n bit of help n guidance along the way, hence this proposal, a 'pathway.' Lokk forward to receivin your application in the near future yeah? cheers.. paul

Thanks for this n "watch this space." Cheers.. Paul

Hi Swinny, thanks for the post. The final details have yet to be determined but you will need appropriate insurance, LOLER, NPTCs (upto CS39), H&S policy, risk assessments, chipper ticket, references and maybe one or two others bits. This will be a desktop audit on application so there'll be no visit involved. Now for ARB Approval, that's quite different, but quite accessible and to find out more I'd try to get to one of the 'FoC' workshops (see Training - Arboricultural Association but we've been "up north" this year and moving further south and east.) HOWEVER if there's enough interest, i.e. min. 6 contractors, I'd be happy to try to do something at Myerscough or similar in the Autumn. Look here for further info Become an ARB Approved Contractor Cheers.. Paul

Paul, thank you for your wisely words (2nd time tonight) You're quite right about it being the "journey", or process, that improves the business whether or not you present for assessment...i just hope people continue too. Cheers.. Paul

Iain, i feel a need to reply in an equally wise n philosophical way...trouble is i can't think of owt so suffice t'say "cheers" Paul PS was the reference to 'professional' meant for me

Hi Chris, maybe. The AA Consultants Working Group (CWG), headed up by Nick Bolton (of Lockhart Garret) email [email protected], are looking at ways to assist people working towards attaining AARC status. Hence any thoughts / ideas you may have could be directed to him. Thanks in anticipation.. Paul

Doooooooh Thanks for this, n very good point...I hope so, for the benefit of both sides as you say. Cheers:thumbup1: Paul

Thanks for this Sorry, being a 'numpty' again, can you explain what you mean by being "good for both sides" Cheers.. Paul

Thanks Sam...but don't let this stop you from cracking on with the ARB Approved assessment Cheers.. Paul

Thanks Pete, Paul

Tom, I do acknowledge we have even more of a challenge in Scotland but it is one we're keen to address. Thurs. 13th November is the next workshop in Scotland at the Royal Highland Centre next to Edinburgh Airport. Hope to see you there. Cheers.. Paul

Excellent, thank you Mark and I look forward to discussing things further. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Tom, whilst this was something of hard, and frustrating, read, it is very valuable. Certainly as far as Tree Officers are concerned I find it hard to believe they haven't heard of the scheme, whether they chose to use/recognise it or not is another thing. I do acknowledge though we need to do more with their procurement people. I also believe its something of a 'chicken and egg' scenario in that the more reputable, quality contractors who became approved the greater the awareness, by default (kinda like why everyone know to use a CORGI/GAS SAFE plumber for central heating...okay it's a legal requirement, unlike ArbAC, BUT people know it coz the logo is on every van.) The FC, certainly at HQ, are very well aware of the scheme but despite my best endeavours to date to convince them ArbAC is the way forward they are sticking with their own processes for securing work and doing their onw H&S and compliance checks (they don't even recognise CHAS / SAFEcontractor etc. for this.) We have tried to enhance the status by adding CHAS and Trustmark and I do believe this is / will have an effect, albeit not likely in immediate future. Whilst many look to the accreditation to secure more work / increase turnover, understandably, their are the other benefits of 'benchmarking' the business and being reassured you've attained and adequate level of compliance to help protect both your employees and you as an employer. Please keep an open mind and perhaps come along to a prep workshop to find out more. We do also have proposals to put a procurement event on aimed particularly at LAs with our new marketing manager. Thanks again for the post. Paul

No, no, no, no, noooooooooooo! PLEASE don't misinterpret what I (thought / meant) said here that increasingly LAs are putting links from their website to ours (Find A Tree Surgeon) to guide members of the public looking for a tree surgeon. The LPA cannot insist works are undertaken by an ArbAC and previous conditions to this effect have been successfully challenged and upheld by the ombudsman. However, by default, if we can attract the other 'quality contractors' then this could happen. This would further marginalise the dis-reputable contractors out there and hopefully to everyone's benefit. Thanks for the posts and I hope this reply has clarified things Cheers.. Paul

Jamie, SORRY, shudda known...n now your covers blown! I take on board your points, very well made. The 'working towards' thing is a bit nebulous to say the least and the client will always have their interpretation of this. However, I'm aware that many, LAs in particular, have stated a clear preference for their contractors, or their recommended contractors for TPO works etc., to become ARB Approved and have stipulated a timescale within which they should achieve this, i.e. 12-24 months. At least the 'Affiliate Contractor' membership option will go some way towards reinforcing the contractors intention, I believe. And yes anyone can apply for assessment at any stage and we're not here to "catch people out" AND people "do get approved these days first time round"...don't they Jamie? Thanks again for your contributions here.. Paul

Good evening Ben (and soon to be nite, nite for me) Don't worry you won't be miffed as wouldn't be on AA website, nor entitled to use logo, until ARB Approved. There is a proposal the membership status would be certificated, to give some level of recognition to the contractor involved as they'll have to submit some evidence of quals and compliance etc., but no formal accreditation. Obviously as an ARB Approved Contractor, you too have a certificate of approval and you're on the AA website AND you can use the logo. Hence there's a clear incentive for businesses to progress. Reet, that's me done fer now so pick things up again tamarra. Cheers n thanks for the post Paul

Thanks for that, which is exactly what I had envisaged...well okay Iain in the first instance Cheers.. Paul

Thank you for this, and the very interesting points you raise, Perhaps, as you say, the time bound should be / could be the 2 years you cite. The point about being deemed on a level with Technician Member is interesting. My concern is Technician is an individual membership option which requires a min. level 3 'arb' qual whereas this would be a business membership option, albeit requiring trained and knowledgeable individuals to be involved. Good 'food for thought' tho..thanks again Paul

Wow, impressive views...but Stella 4%!!! (suppose it is mid-week ) Cheers Kevin, speak soon...hopefully Paul

PHEW...felt I was sticking my neck out a bit there! Thanks Tony, good stuff...as always! Best.. Paul

Thank you, and we're quite happy to be your "bit on the side" ...for the time being anyway. Cheers.. Paul

Hi Pete, thanks for the post. Apologies if I've mislead you here but the proposal will not be an accreditation opportunity but a membership option. It will however act as a 'stepping stone', or pathway, to ARB Approval...and I sincerely hope contractors will see it that way and take the option. It will allow us to better identify and engage with contractors looking for help and guidance. Cheers Paul

Hi there (sorry not sure who you are ), The proposal will not undermine nor dilute the ARB Approved Contractor status, it will simply be a 'pathway' for those businesses looking for help and guidance along the way and some level of recognition and 'working towards' ARB Approval (in effect demonstrating an intention.) There will be no 'on site' assessment and no accreditation / logo. It will be a membership option, probably time bound, but in order to access it a certain level of qualifications and compliance will need to be evidenced, e.g. upto CS39, First Aid, PL insurance, LOLER, H&S policy, risk assessments (TBC.) I do recognise, and appreciate, all the hard work businesses put in to become ARB Approved and I would do nothing to compromise that. However, I firmly believe the more businesses are ultimately approved / accredited the better place the industry will be for all...and you'll be competing on a level playing field. Hope this helps to reassure AND 'no fireworks' ignited Thanks for the post.. Paul

Why not the full 'ARB Approved', particular given the success at the recent reassessment, and follow the Head Office / parent company (?) lead. Thanks for posting Paul and hope you don't mind me enquiring back. Cheers.. Paul