Chris this is very informative. How high do the NQF levels go?
I would be interested to know where the BSc(Hons)sits. I was in the very
first class in the country to go through this and that was 7 or 8 years ago
so there must be around 100 with this qualification now? I also know a few
people with MSc in arb and would this sit higher than the PDArb(RFS)?
BTW The FDSc is on a par with the HND which I think has been largely
replaced because the scoring mechanism didn't easily fit in with degree
courses, so students would have to do 2 years HND and then 2 years if they
wanted to top up to the degree.
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Hastie [mailto:Chris.Hastie@xxxxxxxxxx.gov.uk]
Sent: 21 April 2008 11:12
To: UK Tree Care
Subject: RE: "APPROVED CONTRACTORS"
Reply interwoven with original for context.
On 21 April 2008 08:59, Complete Tree Services wrote:
Approved contractor status should be the level that all
professional contractors large or small aspire to and all
potential users large or small turn to when seeking
professional contracting services.
It is very clear (take a browse through www.arbtalk.co.uk for examples)
that a significant number of contractors for whatever reason are
unwilling to engage in the AAAC scheme. A small number of these I am
personally familiar with and the standard of their work is excellent.
Some way of recognising them is clearly needed.
My prediction (based on my tried and trusted crystal ball and tea leaf
technique, rather than any new fangled trumped up risk assessment
system) is that TrustMark will become far more important to contractors
than AAAC. This is because it is a scheme covering a wide range of
trades, and being promoted not only by TM themselves, but by the various
awarding bodies in different trades. It will become recognised (how many
people on the street know what 'arboricultural' means, let alone what
the AAAC scheme is) because home owners will see the logo on their
plumber's van, their electrician's van, their builder's van and, of
course, their tree surgeon's van. They will come to recognise the mark
simply because it is widespread.
That said, TM will be important primarily to contractors targeting the
domestic market. AAAC may well continue to be more important to
corporate buyers of tree work services.
TM is very focused on the domestic market. It is largely concerned with
trustworthiness and customer service. I'm glad to hear Jim say that TM
as administered by the AA will include clear tests of practical
competence too. One concern I have is that some of those contractors who
will not go for AAAC will also not go for TM simply because it is being
administered by the AA. There are other bodies who do it, and I know of
at least one AAAC who has TM already through one of the landscape trade
associations.
To Peter's original question, I've tried to put some information on how
to interpret claims made in tree surgeon's ads at
http://www.tree-care.info/findanarb/qualifications
I'd be happy to hear any feedback or comments on this page.
--
Chris Hastie
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