Arboricultural Association
To advance the science of arboriculture for the public benefit
Arboricultural Association
PRESS RELEASE

Competence Certification - a new approach?

There is currently a proposal to tighten up on certification under NPTC and LANTRA. Currently NPTC CS units once attained are for life, although HSE recommends that professional users should undergo formal update training every 5 years.

The proposal is either of the following;

  1. A designated shelf life for units with an expiry date, re-assessment being required (professional users)
  2. Mandatory refresher courses to ensure skills are up to date with changes in techniques, industry best practice and legislation


The HSE recommends a five year period from original certification before refresher training is required. Whichever route is taken the HSE guidelines must be considered.

AFAG Committee representative, Bruce Hatton, is seeking views on this issue prior to the next committee meeting. Please send any comments you may have to guy@trees.org.uk before 12th September for collation.

Some issues to consider may be;

  1. How easy will it be to enforce either route
  2. The financial implications to the individual or businesses
  3. Who will oversee the development of the scheme to address the chosen route?
  4. What will be of real benefit to the industry and most likely to be accepted without extensive criticism?

Some thoughts are;

Could the extra revenue generated by either scheme be re-introduced into publication of AFAG guides or improving communication between training/award bodies and the end user?

Could this be yet another opportunity to regulate an industry which really needs some parameters to work within?

Comment deadline 12 noon, 12 September, 2005, comments to guy@trees.org.uk