claseisgod
ArboristSite Lurker
Hi I am looking at getting certified but, I do not know which one is the best to get. I am looking at either the certified arborist or the climber specialist
ISA Certifications
- Thread starter claseisgod
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ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
Which do you plan to employ,what experience do you have? The climber if your a climber the arborist if your planning to do phc or start with the climber then blossom to CA!?
Good strategy. the climber cert written test is more doable and cheaper and preps you for CA later. Plus it should be directly marketable, if your employer is shown the value in it and knows how to show it to customers. The class I took was a great experience and prepped well for the test.
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Depends on your level of experience?? I kinda laugh at the climber specialist cert! most large companies are gonna train you by way of their top rate/journeyman.
however some feel the need to have something to show for what they do....hence the climber specialist cert!!
what happened to the day when an "Arborist" had to climb? & to become certified he showed proficiency in all things tree related......not too mention safety was common sense!! Now for the money we have many certs!!!
guess everyone needs to feel special!! but..... if you get the climber spec. cert........I wouldnt announce it to loud!!!!!
LXT..............
however some feel the need to have something to show for what they do....hence the climber specialist cert!!
what happened to the day when an "Arborist" had to climb? & to become certified he showed proficiency in all things tree related......not too mention safety was common sense!! Now for the money we have many certs!!!
guess everyone needs to feel special!! but..... if you get the climber spec. cert........I wouldnt announce it to loud!!!!!
LXT..............
arborsoldier
ArboristSite Operative
Gotta agree. Don't waste your time, go for the CA.
If you guys want advanced climbing, it's found at TCCs. And if you can define a way to add more climbing challenge within the test structure, please join the test committee and shine your lights.
many large companies barely train at all, at least the ones I worked for...
umpkin2: but depending on where you are at, going for the CA may indeed make good sense. If you haven't yet, taking the tests in gilman's pruning book is good prep/learning aid.
many large companies barely train at all, at least the ones I worked for...
umpkin2: but depending on where you are at, going for the CA may indeed make good sense. If you haven't yet, taking the tests in gilman's pruning book is good prep/learning aid.claseisgod
ArboristSite Lurker
I got the ISA cdrom series coming will that work for good study guide and also with the CA do I have to pay to recertify or are the ceu tests free?
If you guys want advanced climbing, it's found at TCCs. And if you can define a way to add more climbing challenge within the test structure, please join the test committee and shine your lights.
many large companies barely train at all, at least the ones I worked for...
you would defend the ISA regarding certification if they created one for taking a crap!!! no porta john?? no time to get to public restroom?? home owner not home??? hurry....people are standing in line for this cert. arborist bowel movement specialist!!!!
what big company did you work at where they didnt teach? Davey has a wonderful climbing program, Bartlett too......Asplundh trains their people, so I am saying your statement about companies is pure bunk!!
Advanced climbing
.......Well let me see!!! at the witching hour when the snow brings down that oak limb on Mrs. smuckers house N I show up....Ill need lights to see & afterwards Ill collect my money, Im not gonna play fetch for fun in some reindeer tree trimmer climbathon!!LXT..................
Koa Man
Kahuna giganticus
I have a micro mini company. Just me and 3 employees. I hate to teach, but when I do, if the teachee doesn't catch on quick, they stay a groundman. I have had some very fast learners and some who had to be shown how to tie a bowline 10 times and would forget how the next day. At my age, I don't have time for slow learners.
As far as ISA certs, some of the worst climbers and pruners I know have ISA CA papers to prove how good they are. One jerk even teaches climbing classes.
As far as ISA certs, some of the worst climbers and pruners I know have ISA CA papers to prove how good they are. One jerk even teaches climbing classes.
Treeseer yet again showing no real idea on training,How many guys have you made competant in tree work?
Q"What if i train them and they leave?"
A/"What if i don't and they stay"
I have 2 guys under 24 i have trained in last three years they are now production worthy,Its hard work sitting an exam or reading a book does not do it!
I don't recognize prospective employees tickets its the real world exp thats recognised and sort for.
Q"What if i train them and they leave?"
A/"What if i don't and they stay"
I have 2 guys under 24 i have trained in last three years they are now production worthy,Its hard work sitting an exam or reading a book does not do it!
I don't recognize prospective employees tickets its the real world exp thats recognised and sort for.
ropensaddle
Feel Lucky
I agree especially to smaller companies but if you get true grit and education then your talking. Of course keeping them happy is the hard part!
sgreanbeans
Treeaculterologist
Do the CA, I tried to get in too take the test for years, when I came home from USMC, I called to check test date in Champagne, found out they have remote centers all over, made things much easier, right down the street I went, passed really easy, test isn't that hard, the CD set will help, but don't count on it, their will be q's that are not covered in the I.S.A. study materiel.
When I was coming up, I had the privilege to work under some great BCMA's, their knowledge, that was beat into me! stuck! Best way to learn is to find someone who will teach. I have been doing this a long time, still learning everyday. Some of the guys on here have a wealth of knowledge normally unseen, Take advantage of some of these technical threads. When the elders start having a knowledge war, it breeds education for us!
When I was coming up, I had the privilege to work under some great BCMA's, their knowledge, that was beat into me! stuck! Best way to learn is to find someone who will teach. I have been doing this a long time, still learning everyday. Some of the guys on here have a wealth of knowledge normally unseen, Take advantage of some of these technical threads. When the elders start having a knowledge war, it breeds education for us!
arborsoldier
ArboristSite Operative
sggreenbeans, very well said. Just the other day I was out working with some guys in my Co. on a yet to be approved SRT system (and I work for a very large company) and I walked away having learned something new. Big or small, it doesn't matter. It's the individual people that you work with that make a difference. I have always made it a point to learn as much as possible and share my learnings with others. If I felt the environment I was in didn't work fior me, I moved on, or did something about it.:agree2:
TreeTopKid
ArboristSite Guru
I think any climbing exam, ISA/NPTC, or whatever is just to ensure that you have grasped the basic idea, and principles of climbing in order that you can perform safely. If you have been climbing for years obviously you are going to breeze it. The certified arborist exam is fairly easy also, but provides an excellent foundation for starting out.
The ISA offers plenty of opportunity to further your education through the CEU program, Municipal Arborist exam, and Board Certified Master Arborist exam.
I also know some experienced arborists without credentials, but most of the best arborists I've met have some kind of educational platform. the Board Certified Master Arborists I have met have been some of the most knowledgeable and respected in the business.
As for saying only those that work hard can cut it is ridiculous, sure it's physical but you get to enjoy the endorphins from that. From an employment standpoint I'm looking for someone fit and knowledgeable. I seem to find plenty of fit strong climbers but do they know what target pruning is? unfortunately not very often.
Knowledge is king.
The ISA offers plenty of opportunity to further your education through the CEU program, Municipal Arborist exam, and Board Certified Master Arborist exam.
I also know some experienced arborists without credentials, but most of the best arborists I've met have some kind of educational platform. the Board Certified Master Arborists I have met have been some of the most knowledgeable and respected in the business.
As for saying only those that work hard can cut it is ridiculous, sure it's physical but you get to enjoy the endorphins from that. From an employment standpoint I'm looking for someone fit and knowledgeable. I seem to find plenty of fit strong climbers but do they know what target pruning is? unfortunately not very often.
Knowledge is king.
HighGuy
ArboristSite Operative
I'm 46. Just got my CA in Dec. after 20 yrs of tree climbing.(Called for on many jobs, now) Did the 10 CD course in a week and a half. I knew quite a bit! But, NOT NEAR what I know now, about newer techniques with caring for, planting, and saving trees. (Hey? Semi-Old Dog-New Tricks) Still haven't taken the Climbing Cert. I hope my 7 yrs of radio tower building & rescue, rock climbing & old tree climbing techniques get me through that? (Or I'll simply take a "NEW" class)
The Certs are what you make of them. Always better with them, and you are always up to date.(Or you will/can lose your Cert.) More jobs and higher pay with them. So, I'm for them. The CA means you have a decent "idea" about trees and "some" practices. The Climbing Cert says you have a decent "idea" about what to do in a tree. Put both together, AND some real experience on a resume, you'll have "my attention". A self proclaimed "know it all", with nothing to show but the Certs? Or just his word of experience? = I don't even want to be on site. OR think about having them near on a consult! PROVE IT!
Get experience and both Certs! It's worth your time, money, better paycheck, and your/someones safety/life! ... Most veterans and Big Name Scientists, I personally know(WI or IL), have the CA, too. Whether they WROTE a/the book or not... they think it's worth having a standard!
By the way: Taking the 10 cd course ("free": check out from the library) gave me about 30-40 credits, for my "3 yr recertification". Told they are redoing the cds sometime, because "Yes" some questions on the test weren't on it. The test was not "that" bad, any way. (But don't sluff it off, either! Study!)
Just MY Humble Opinion?
The Certs are what you make of them. Always better with them, and you are always up to date.(Or you will/can lose your Cert.) More jobs and higher pay with them. So, I'm for them. The CA means you have a decent "idea" about trees and "some" practices. The Climbing Cert says you have a decent "idea" about what to do in a tree. Put both together, AND some real experience on a resume, you'll have "my attention". A self proclaimed "know it all", with nothing to show but the Certs? Or just his word of experience? = I don't even want to be on site. OR think about having them near on a consult! PROVE IT!
Get experience and both Certs! It's worth your time, money, better paycheck, and your/someones safety/life! ... Most veterans and Big Name Scientists, I personally know(WI or IL), have the CA, too. Whether they WROTE a/the book or not... they think it's worth having a standard!
By the way: Taking the 10 cd course ("free": check out from the library) gave me about 30-40 credits, for my "3 yr recertification". Told they are redoing the cds sometime, because "Yes" some questions on the test weren't on it. The test was not "that" bad, any way. (But don't sluff it off, either! Study!)
Just MY Humble Opinion?
