As soon as I arrived at TreeFest 25 at Riverview in Coquitlam, BC, I walked over to the information desk. And there one of the ladies recognised me and she even remembered my name!? It took me a second to scan my memory bank. Of course, it was Catherine Dale, my teacher from the Residential Landscape Technician (RLT) course. I hadn’t seen her in like ten years.
Most people, when they look back, will identify key figures in their lives. Catherine is on my list.
It made my day and I hadn’t even seen any trees. I’m still feeling great in the evening as I compose this blog post. Why?
Catherine bravely put down the base on which I would later pass the Red Seal Journeyman horticulturist challenge exam. She took in a raw landscape apprentice working at a prominent sweatshop and imparted basic knowledge.
RLT
I took the RLT course many years ago; so long ago, my graduation picture was a polaroid. I suspect many readers of this blog post will have to Google that.
I still openly recommend the course to new workers because it covers the basics. The only people who talked badly about the program were the ones who didn’t pass it.
In 2018 many employers prefer to put their workers into the apprenticeship program because it hooks the workers in for four seasons. Then, ideally they will sit the Red Seal exam.
The course runs over two semesters and every week covers one topic, like irrigation, for example. Most classes start with a short written quiz based on the previous week.
There are also plant ID quizzes with live specimens set out in class. On Saturdays the class goes on field trips. I still remember my car pool from hell when my fellow students decided to stop in the country to look for mushrooms.
Next step CLT
When the RLT diploma is combined with work in the field, then the worker should be perfectly set-up to take the Landscape Industry Certified test. Again, employers aren’t crazy about this because it can be done over one weekend. The apprenticeship stretches over four seasons.
I’m the only CLT-certified worker at my company and I suspect it will stay that way for a while. Employers usually only sponsor veteran employees; and those same employees aren’t excited about test taking.
The CLT involves written tests and practical stations. I love it because it humbles many cocky landscapers. It happens twice a year in July and October at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Langley, BC.
If you need help with preparation for the practical stations, contact me.
Conclusion
Say ‘Thank you’ to your teachers and never stop learning.
Yes! I saw Catherine as well! We had a great time. Don Luxton gave an excellent lecture or tent talk like they call it! We had cake for the 25th anniversary. Everyone we know seemed to be there! Even in the pouring rain!