The Alternative Technician Route
Jess Palfreyman, Membership and Systems Officer
We are excited to announce the launch of a new route to Technician membership.
Over the years we have received multiple enquiries from individuals hoping to join at Technician grade who do not hold the required RQF Level 3 academic qualification in Arboriculture. Many of the hopeful applicants had years of experience in the industry, multiple lower level qualifications and very strong CPD records, but unfortunately we had no way to quantify this for the purpose of membership.
The new Alternative Technician Route offers experienced arborists and arboriculturists who are unable to apply via the standard route a new way to demonstrate their knowledge, expertise and skills.
The Alternative Route is based on accumulated qualifications, certifications, CPD and experience, which are summarised under two headings: Practical and Academic.
To ensure that applicants via this route meet the same standards achieved by those applying via the conventional route, we have carefully balanced academic achievement against practical experience to allow us to get a full picture of each applicant’s knowledge and competencies. Applicants record their qualifications, CPD and experience in each area, with set points awarded for each qualification or achievement. The applicant must attain a minimum amount of points in each area to be granted Technician membership.
The Alternative Route also offers the Association the opportunity to acknowledge the value of the ISA Certified Arborist and EAC European Tree Worker certification, with their inclusion in the new form.
We have now successfully completed a small trial, welcoming several new Technician members over the past few months. After a review of this trial, we are pleased to confirm the new route is open for applications from November 2020.
If you are interested in becoming a Technician member via this route, please take a look at the forms online and feel free to get in touch if you have any questions.
www.trees.org.uk/Membership/Membership-Grades/Technician
This article was taken form Issue 191 Winter 2020 of the ARB Magazine, which is available to view free to members by simply logging in to the website and viewing your profile area.