2017 promises to be a great, busy year. Our company grew 25% + over last year. We have new trucks, new foremen, new employees to train and some very, very nice strata title sites. Step one is to score the contract; step two is to keep it by delivering the usual great service. My role as senior supervisor is higher-profile and I fully expect to earn my keep.
There’s also the personal side. My career-related resolutions. It’s a long list but the time to start is now. Not later. Right now in January.
a) Certified Landscaper Manager
Seven written modules. If you live in the Lower Mainland like me, you can write it once a month. Do all seven or one at a time. Just remember that newly edited manuals for all seven modules are now out. As soon as I get them, I will write the “Outdoor production and horticulture” module. It covers what a landscape manager should know about technical work in the field. As I get older and do more training, management interests me. Details here.
b) TRAQ (Tree Risk and Assessment Qualification)
If you check arborist report requirements and job postings, this qualification comes up a lot. It’s a new area for me so the fear I feel attracts me. I want it. It’s there. I will get it. It involves a weekend session in class and in the field. Exam at the end. One hefty fee. If you can, follow my example and get your employer to pay the fees. The trade-off is obvious. You will deliver more value. In late 2016 I had to sign an arborist report in a case involving a Katsura tree (Cercidiphyllum japonicum). With obvious driveway and sidewalk damage showing, the resident was extremely unhappy; and very short on patience. Details here.
c) CEUs
ISA
As of January 2017, I have eighteen (18) of the required thirty (30) credits for my ISA certified arborist re-certification in June 2019! Yes, I could wait and collect the credits slowly. No, let’s not. I expect to have all thirty credits collected by the end of January.
It’s mostly done through reading and quizzes. ISA CD-ROMs are also great. The ISA has everything set-up for online submission. Canadians ordering ISA materials have to go through ISA Ontario. Allegedly it’s cheaper but my shopping experiences haven’t been good. You reach a receptionist who doesn’t know the catalogue items, prices are checked, shipping confirmed, items aren’t in stock. I hope this gets changed one day.
Renews every two years. Twenty four (24) credits required. The fee is much smaller than ISA’s. Reading books qualifies for credits. My audio books have a known length so it’s easy to report on the book report form. Quickly summarize what you learned and it’s done. My attendance at last fall’s CanWest horticulture show counted for both ISA and LIC! Again, I was fortunate enough to have my employer cover all fees and time off.
I look forward to the new year. What are YOUR green resolutions?
