Red Seal vs. No Seal
This all started with a company WhatsApp message where the boss showed pictures of a job well done and labelled it “No Seals did a good job!” And they really did. Also, it was funny because, as the only Red Seal journeyman horticulturist on staff, I make a lot of Red Seal jokes. Evidently, it’s out of control when messages with No Seal start to appear.
Good work, good experience
The late English gardening legend Christopher Lloyd was a great proponent of practical experience. He worked in his garden and learned his lessons. Now, lucky for us, we can read his excellent books. So experience is super important; schooling is a fantastic bonus.
I have seen this in the field with ISA certified arborists and non-ISA tree guys. One certified dude showed up on my site and thinned out all of the red maples lining the inside road way. His cuts were alright but he left all of his stubs in my tree wells. These were the leftovers from finished cuts made at branch collar.
Now it was up to me to clean them up? Clearly, many non-ISA tree guys do great work; and we know that ISA certified arborists have gone through standard testing. They’re also required to complete extra training worth 30 credits every three years. So, it’s fair to say that ISA certified arborists have more technical knowledge but we can’t say that they perform better in the field.
No Seal!
To get their trade papers, Red Seal journeymen must pass trade examinations which test both their knowledge and their experience. Red Seals are confident, knowledgeable and should, in theory, make fewer mistakes. No Seals have experience and can absolutely deliver good results in the field. That’s why the WhatsApp message was so funny.
2024
Red Seal or No Seal, I encourage you to work on your skills. Do a good job in the field and keep learning. But I know from experience that Red Seals can make more money and wield more influence. Journeyman status also helps me to sell more e-books and attract more students to my online school.
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Happy New Year!
