AA Teccie (Paul)

Now yer gettin a bit personal Nice one. Have to go now, heading home before the snow comes Cheers Rich, gud'on'ya! Paul

Congrats, great news. Appen a good job it was a water birth as at that weight no doubt their was watering pouring from her eyes. Have to say I do have the utmost respect and admiration for the 'fairer sex' and their pain tolerance in child birth...I'd tears in my eyes just readingthe post. Enjoy the many great times ahead! Paul

Haha, great aren't they...good combination BTW, I'm out!

...n I missed it, my 1,000th post (now 1,139...apparently!) Didn't realise I had so much good stuff to say Thanks for putting up with me all and I look forward to the next 1,000 ...or ... Never used these 'Smilies' originally as too embarrassed but feel more confident now as amongst friends Time to go. Cheers.. Paul

Some good stuff here too, albeit a bit 'heavy going' in parts....good for insomniacs tho RR668: Evaluation of current rigging and dismantling practices used in arboriculture Enjoy.. Paul

Hi James, To date, unfortunately, there are no machinery exhibitors doing chainsaw milling but it is still 'early days' and we remain optimistic (particularly as it's none APF year.) "Watch this speace"... Arboricultural Association Cheers.. Paul

Hope this helps NPTC Cheers.. Paul

James, I'll enquire with my colleague Simon Richmond who manages the 'ARB SHOW' and get back to you tomorrow, hopefully. Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, Lotsa 'VIEWS' but no 'additional' bookings...so far! I wonder if I took out the 'ARB Approved Contractor' words and replace it with 'ARB Compliance and Standards' Workshop whether we'd get a better take up Obviously we do spend time looking at the scheme and whats involved / required BUT we also cover other stuff applicable to ALL, 'like it or not', involved in arb contracting. It's due to snow heavy in N. London on 6th Feb so if you're in that area come spend a day with me instead Cheers.. Paul

Sounds to me like either: 1. A Lantra Awards ITA (integrated training and assessment) certificate, which usually says expires after 5 years, or 3 maybe, in effect forcing the refresher training issue (principally issued to semi-professional chainsaw users), or 2. A certificate of training usually leading to the NPTC (as was) assessment, again usually expires after 5 years. Either way, as Stewart says to both bring you 'up-to-date' and meet current insurance and compliance standards, you'd be best off renewing this certificate under the new regime, i.e. with either Lantra of C&G/NPTC. Cheers.. Paul

Steve, with a tree business name like that you should be 'ARB Approved' by the 'Teccie' Welcome and congrats on entering a life changing forum, no longer will you havbe to work in splendid isolation as too many do. There's loadsa good stuff on here so sit back n enjoy! Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, We are running a Pest & Disease Seminar, sponsored by the FC, at Myerscough College on Wed. 6th Feb. The event is 'free of charge' and hence places are limited and will be serviced on a "first come first served basis" so early booking is essential. See 'flyer' below and you MUST use the course booking form attached. Cheers all.. Paul aa_training_booking_form_141212.pdf FC-PD-EventFlyer-A4.pdf

Previous looking into this revealed an exemption where the driving is 'incidental' to the main work activity, hence (in most cases other than perhaps timber haulage) its largely N/A was my conclusion. Cheers.. Paul

Simon, much as i'd love it to be on the AA webiste, it's on the ISA's (the International Society of Arboriculture.) Best get that right if you wnat to pass the exam

Excellent, a big, big commitment...well done and I know it will serve you well. Good luck for the rest

Hi SImon, I did the study guide many years ago and it was excellent, I struggled atthe time to access the exam so let it lapse...sadly! See International Society of Arboriculture and I'm sure others will tell you more. Cheers.. Paul

Hmmm, an interesting post. An analogy for just passing your NPTCs would be your driving test, just passed. Would you jump in your car, fully loaded and drive during all weathers up to Scotland for instance? (Doubtless many will say "YES" done that!) Maybe 'newbies' shoudl ahve a green 'P' sign attached to their harnesses NPTCs are useful as a basic skill benchmark, ISA / RFS arb knowledge is great, (good) experience (prob. min. 3-5 years) is very important and all 3 combined = the arborist (my take, others may / WILL differ...coz it;s me ). Take it steady and work safe...with the right people (but sometimes you have to work with the wrong people to judge who are the right people ) Cheers.. Paul

Yup, as 'Treequip' has said it's prob the ISA Certified Arborist course you're looking for which is 'self-study'...n bloomin good too! Enjoy.. Paul

Hey Rob, hope you're well. Tis now the Level 4 Arb and either a certificate or a diploma dependent how many credits you study, i.e. to get the diploma you have to study a broader range of subjects (I believe.) The 'AA Tech Cert', as was, is no more Cheers.. Paul

I agree, in principle as this was always the 'stumbling block' as a previous mandatory unit, BUT I think it's a real shame it's not include as an 'optional' as some assessors still cover it (I believe). We require standard tree planting as a mandatroy skill for ARB Approved and it still surprises me how often there are problems. Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, If you're looking for a way to "stand out from the crowd", and/or to "better position" your business to access commercial contracts, then ARB Approved Contractor status may be the way forward (there, 'sales pitch' over ) Just a quick 'heads up' about the forthcoming ARB Approved Contractor Workshop (ArbAC) at Capel Manor on Wed. 6th Feb. (Unfortunately, this workshop does attract a £50 (+VAT) delegate fee but this is refundable on applying for assessment.) The day is classed as a CPD event, as we cover much regulatory and industry H&S practice stuff etc. and hence a certificate of attendance is provided. REMEMBER, please, that the ArbAC standard sets a benchmark for arboricultural contracting, which is acknowledged by HSE, and hence all businesses whether aspiring to ArbAC or not should be familiar. In other words the workshop is open to all because it's applicable to all. IF you wish to attend, and I'd really look forward to meeting you, please see AA Approved Contractor Preparation Workshop ? Training and complete the booking form below. Many thanks all.. Paul aa_training_booking_form_141212.pdf

Hi Badger, The question from Jaime was prinicaplly aimed at 'members' as opposed to 'arb approved contractors' but still very relevant. I'm really sorry, and to be honest equally 'really surprised', you had correspondence problems with us as Mel(anie) who admins the scheme is always very good and prompt with enquiries. I can only presume for some reason yours fell between the cracks and again I am sorry for that (more likely to be my non-action than Mel's in all honesty.) I'm glad to hear you're busier than ever, that speask volumes about you and the business, but I'd be really intersted to hear more about your research, i.e. how / where / when / who etc. so if you get 5 please give me a call (07971 995351) or 'pm' me. Thanks in anticpation. Cheers.. Paul

Hi all, hope you're well. Just a quick 'heads up' on this one, which will take place at Askham Bryan College (York), as I've had a few enquiries about the NW workshop from NE based contractors and this one's probably easier for many of you. Will post more later. Cheers all n have a good weekend. Paul