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Technician's Certificate Survey

 

Thank you for opening up this page with a view to assisting the writing of a new syllabus for the new level 4 Certificate qualification. I wish to seek industry views on what topics any new syllabus should contain.

 

Below is the level 4 qualifications criteria to indicate at what level the arboriculturist will be required to function at. Please study the criteria to assist you in determining what the content of the syllabus should be.

 

Level 4 Criteria

 

Summary

 

Achievement at level 4 reflects the ability to identify and use relevant understanding, methods and skills to address problems that are well defined but complex and non-routine. It includes taking responsibility for overall courses of action as well as exercising autonomy and judgment within fairly broad parameters. It also reflects understanding of different perspectives or approached within an area of study or work.

 

Knowledge and Understanding

 

Refine and use practical, theoretical or technical understanding to address problems that are well defined but complex and non-routine. Analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant information and ideas. Be aware of the nature and approximate scope of the area of study or work. Have an informed awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work.

 

Application and action

 

Address problems that are complex and non-routine while normally fairly well defined. Identify, adapt and use appropriate investigation to inform actions. Review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods, actions and results.

 

Autonomy and accountability

 

Take responsibility for courses of action, including, where relevant, responsibility for the work of others. Exercise autonomy and judgment within broad but generally well-defined parameters.

 

 

Syllabus – What should the arboricultural syllabus contain?

 

With a new credit framework coming the opportunity is there to write a new syllabus. An opportunity also to define what arboriculture is through the range of content and to confine the arboriculture syllabus to exactly that – arboriculture, a real specialist field of knowledge. For example – units are readily available covering personnel management and finance and if one is in the position of needing or wishing to acquire training/qualifications in those areas, then they can be achieved as required through alternative programmes and specialists in that field. In other words should the specialist arboricultural syllabus contain non arboricultural elements?

 

In my opinion the arboricultural syllabus at level 4 should contain

 

  • topics that are fundamental to tree management in the UK in the 21st century

  • topics that are essential to the specialism of arboriculture

  • topics that support the essential elements such that they can not be omitted

  • topics that are essential to ensure that the qualification is ‘fit for purpose’ for the 21st century arboriculturist

 

What it should not contain are elements that

  • do not meet the above criteria

  • make the syllabus unwieldy large

  • confer a ‘Jack of all trades and master of none’

  • are areas of historical or other interest only

  • can be accessed from other specialist syllabi

  • take the arboriculturist into another specialist field and in which it can not be expected to attain the knowledge required at level 4

 

NB  Some areas of the syllabus can contain elements at a  lower level (3) so long as the vast majority are at level 4.

 

Thank you in anticipation of your much needed help.

 

Dave Dowson

 
How to have you say.... 
 

In order to help our profession please copy the blue list  of topics below, click on this email address keely.treelife@globalnet.co.uk to send Keely an email and paste the list in to the email. Please add your current job title in order to evaluate from which part of the industry the reviewer comes from.  

 

Then please take your time to view the list of potential topics for inclusion into a new syllabus. The list is not exhaustive; please add any topic for inclusion as you wish.

 

Please indicate by highlighting or underlining the topics that in your opinion should be included in any new syllabus at level 4 and please be tough in deciding what should be in or out in order to make it a specialised arboricultural syllabus.

 

 

Topics List (range in the current syllabus)

 

Unit 1

-       tree anatomy above and below ground

-       the tree’s physiological processes

-       how trees are produced in nature and cultivation

-       the influences of climate change on the above

-       the influence of site conditions on tree survival / longevity

-       the properties of various soils in terms of tree growth, including soil problems

-       the tree’s interrelationship with soil water

-       planting site analysis and improvement

 

Unit 2

-       woodland surveys

-       woodland management plans / work programmes

-       wildlife conservation / amenity and recreation / timber production

-       woodland design

-       woodland designations

-       grants available

-       ecological considerations

-       veteran trees

-       legal implications of woodland management

 

Unit 3

-       tree and shrub identification

-       classification and nomenclature

-       tree size and form specifications

-       handling form nursery to planting site

-       planting site preparation

-       funding available

-       planting and aftercare

 

Unit 4

-       visual tree assessment

-       decay detection – equipment and techniques

-       data collection and recording

-       hazard evaluation

-       tree evaluation

-       pests, diseases and disorders

-       mitigation measures

 

Unit 5

-       economic, ecological, environmental, sociological benefits of trees

-       trees in the planning process

-       trees in relation to construction

-       trees in relation to structures

-       surveys and reports

-       arboreta management

-       tree work operations – pruning and felling  techniques

-       disposal of arisings and stumps

-       bracing and propping

-       ecological considerations

 

Unit 6

-       management structures

-       communication within organisations and externally

-       leadership and motivation

-       recruitment and selection

-       equal opportunities legislation

-       internal record keeping - policies and procedures

-       health and safety legislation

-       signing of roadworks

-       risk assessment

-       method statements

-       accident reporting, recording and investigation

-       pesticide legislation and certification

-       industry best practice

 

Unit 7

-       arboricultural profession – public, private, voluntary

-       sources of professional / technical advice

-       training and certification

-       financial management and record keeping

-       resource management

-       insurances

-       equipment selection

 

Unit 8

-       common and statutory legislation covering:-

-       duties of care

-       planning and tree protection

-       high hedges

-       hedgerows

-       highway trees

-       dangerous trees

-       wildlife and the environment

-       felling licences

-       plant health

-       fuels and oils

-       waste disposal