ABA Northern division

Hi Chris, Thanks for your reply, interesting view points. Consider though that in the Gristwood & Toms article it details how they are using Danish students. ABA Mission Statement reads "To facilitate, accredit, develop, support and promote the recognition of individuals national skills qualifications and certifications between partner countries worldwide." Also consider that use of the Danish Pie Cut for felling forward leaning and backward trees is a part of EEC1 “Basic Tree Felling” and that single rope techniques are used throughout A1-A3 Arborist Qualifications. When you look at the members of the INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS & ACCREDITATION COUNCIL you can see the fantastic professional level of international input ABA benefits from. Those members include: - Graeme Bain – Ireland. Consultant & expert witness. Cecilia Zanzi dott. Agr – Italy. Expert in European projects, researcher and expert in biotechnologies applied to urban arboriculture. Daniele Zanzi dott. Agr – Italy. Lead chief of the Arbor Master Training program in Italy, supervisor in arbor safety courses, tree biology expert, 35 years of experience in urban arboriculture. Krzysztof Zarzycki MSc – Poland - Arborist, competition climber & skills demonstrator. Pawel Gromek MSc – Arborist, competition climber, forest worker, consultant & skills demonstrator. STELIAN ALEXANDRU BORZ Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng – Romania. Manager, lecturer, researcher, consultant, project manager, author. The level of technical knowledge provided, transferred through the ABA training programs is a great boon to the UK’s skill level. Thanks Chris, David

Hi Stuart, Thank you for your positive reply. It’s encouraging that you believe the “thumbs up” for European Chainsaw Certification must be forthcoming soon. Particularly as leading insurers & many employers in the UK, contractors, local authorities etc are employing ABA certified operators therefore they have satisfied themselves that the ABA certification meets their legal requirement for proof of adequate training. Another point in relation to the Awarding Body International (ABA) that may interest you is that their ECC/ICC chainsaw & chainsaw at height qualifications for arborists (European & International awards) have been supported by the European Commission and ABA's quality assurance processes approved by Health & Safety Authorities, adopted adopted into national occupational standards etc in many other countries already. David.

Trust insurance’s underwriters (one of the biggest arb insurers in the uk) looked at ABA’s qualifications in 2014 and accepted them as proof that our candidates had obtained adequate training in the UK as per industry recommendations, best practice and guidelines. They also gave permission for ABA to use their name/logo. More excitingly, Trust insurance have recently offered a discount to anyone who has obtained a qualification through ABA Northern Division. They must “Trust” us and think that if you’ve been certified by ABA, you aren’t going be a risk! For more information please ring 07931670175 or email [email protected] Many Thanks David

Hi Kriss, Like NPTC & Lantra, ABA learning outcomes meet all the requirements of the National Occupational Standard (NOS) as required by the Forest Industry Training Accord (FISA). However, the ABA learning outcomes also meet the International Occupational Standards and with 22 countries now signed up to the ABA program with more joining shortly it very much is aimed at developing and establishing an international, cross borders, standard. The ABA International mission statement reads "To facilitate, accredit, develop, support and promote the recognition of individuals national skills qualifications and certifications between partner countries worldwide." If you have a few minutes visit https://aba-skills.com/ for more information. Thanks for your interest, David

Hi Topher 30, We are not far from you, operating from Wigton near Carlisle. We are very flexible and would be happy to work with you to put together a staggered training/certification program to suit your needs. For example we could look at putting together a first suite of courses that would give you the qualifications you would need to approach employers as a competent grounds man. We could then provide a second suit of courses that would allow you to progress your career, giving you the training and qualification's required for you to operate as a competent arborist. Following on from this we could provide a third suite of courses allowing you to develop your skill base to professional arborist level. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 07931670175 [email protected]. Many Thanks, David

Please follow the link below for a very interesting article https://gristwoodandtoms.co.uk/news-views/gristwood-toms-champions-international-accreditation-programme/ If you are interested in ABA training/certification please do not hesitate to contact me on [email protected] 07931670175 or visit http://abanortherndivision.co.uk/ We run courses continually and with three assessors operating from our centre now (with a fourth joining in March)we can usually accommodate your needs within a timescale convenient to your self. Look forward to hearing from you soon, David

Unlike NPTC, ABA have always included single rope techniques in their training program, if you would like to obtain the only nationally recognised ( and internationally accredited) certification including SRT tree work techniques available in the UK then this is the course for you. Drawing on the experience of some of the best and most experienced SRT climbers out there, this course will give you the skill set to up your game plan and become the best arborist you know you can be. Places on courses throughout the Lake District, Northern and Western Cumbria in Jan, Feb & March 2018. If you want any more info please email [email protected] for all enquiries, and expect a quick, professional helpful reply. For more detail on ABA please visit http://aba-skills.com/index.php

We are pleased to offer places on the following courses running throughout December 2017 and January - February 2018. Prices include assessment which will be held at the end of the course. Locations throughout the South Lake District, Northern and Western Cumbria. ECC 1: Chainsaw Maintenance & Cross-cutting Techniques 2 Days, £265.00 ECC 2: Basic Tree Felling Techniques (up to 380mm diameter) 3 Days, £395.00 ECC1 + ECC2 5 Days, £640.00 ECC 3: Advanced Tree Felling Techniques (over 380mm) 3 Days, £395.00 Chipper Use & Maintenance 2 Days, £265.00 To book a place, or for more information please email [email protected] To visit the ABA website, please go to http://aba-skills.com/index.php