Arboriculturist Apprenticeship

The Arboriculture Trade includes three distinct and progressive Certificates of Qualification. The three are; Arborist Technician, Climbing Arborist and Field Arborist. The Arboriculturist Apprenticeship program is independent from the Landscape and Production Horticulturist programs. You are only required to take the above-mentioned levels to gain your Arboriculturist Apprenticeship.

Watch this video ‘Arboriculture Apprenticeship‘ for a quick summary of the Arboriculture Apprenticeship Program.

For details on how to register in one of the programs, click on the trade specific title, and to see their videos.

Arb Tech Apprentice

Level One – Arborist Technician

  • In-school training for 8 weeks
  • Require 1,600 workplace hours with confirmation of hours by your employer
  • Entry level training where the worker is primarily on the ground and within 3 meters of the ground on ladders
  • An Arborist Technician;
    • prunes and performs other work on trees from the ground
    • identify plants, and select rigging gear
    • have knowledge on how to fall, limb and buck trees, assist climbers, chip brush, cut wood and clean-up sites after tree care operations
  • This will result in a Certificate of Qualification Arborist Technician.
Climb Arb Apprentice

Level Two – Climbing Arborist

  • Must have your Certificate of Qualification as an Arborist Technician
  • In-school training for 8 weeks
  • Require 1,800 workplace hours with confirmation of hours by your employer
  • This level of training will focus on climbing skills and technical skills used while working in trees
  • A Climbing Arborist;
    • performs advanced rigging and cutting
    • structurally support trees
    • select trees for planting
    • identify common pests and diseases
    • capable of performing rescues
  • This will result in a Certificate of Qualification Climbing Arborist.
BC Gov Stock LMP

Level Three – Field Arborist

  • Must have your Certificate of Qualification as an Arborist Technician and Climbing Arborist
  • In-school training for 6 weeks
  • Require 1,600 workplace hours with confirmation of hours by your employer
  • The Field Arborist prunes and performs other work of Climbing Arborists on tress from a ground and aerial situation, including climbing and aerial bucket work
  • A Field Arborist also;
    • develops and implements Integrated Pest Management and Plant Health Care plans
    • develops tree preservation strategies
    • inspects sites and tress for damage and hazards
    • performs job estimating, tree inventory, and tree appraisals
    • prepares reports in the technical areas described above
    • perform supervisory duties
  • This will result in a Certificate of Qualification Field Arborist.

What is an Arborist?

  • Manage and maintain trees and shrubs in the urban forest
  • Focus on the health and safety of trees and the urban landscape

Typical Duties

  • Identify trees and shrubs
  • Prune trees and shrubs
  • Implement Integrated Pest Management methods
  • Operate equipment (chainsaws and chippers)

What can I make?

Private Sector

  • Grounds Person – $15 – $20/hr
  • Junior Climber – $18 – $22/hr
  • Senior Climber – $22 – $28/hr
  • Climber/Foreman/Estimator – $25 – $30+/hr

Municipal Sector

  • Operations Worker – $24/hr
  • Tree Pruner I – $25/hr
  • Tree Pruner II – $27/hr
  • Arborist I – $29/hr
  • Arborist Ia – $30/hr
  • Arborist II – $32/hr

Apprenticeship Info

Sponsor Info

  • Click here to find out how to become a Sponsor
  • For information to apply for Sign-Off Authority, click here
  • For information to challenge the Arborist Technician exam, click here

Job Titles

  • Arborist Technician
  • Climbing Arborist
  • Field Arborist
  • Tree Care Technician

Additional Certifications

  • WUAA/HEBC Falling and Bucking Endorsement.
  • Western Utility Arborist Association (WUAA) is incorporated under the Society Act and is a not for profit organization. Member companies represent the majority of Utility Arborists and are supported by the major utilities in British Columbia that require Utility Arborists. The WUAA along with HortEducation.ca, as the administrative partner, is responsible for the WUAA/HEBC Falling and Bucking Endorsement for Certified Utility Arborists (CUA) and Certified Arborist Technicians (CAT). This endorsement has been developed in conjunction with WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC has approved both the theoretical and practical components of this endorsement. Those who have their Certificate of Qualification as a Utility Arborist or Certificate of Qualification as an Arborist Technician are eligible to apply for the “WUAA/HEBC Falling and Bucking Endorsement”.
  • The WUAA/HEBC Falling and Bucking Endorsement is a form of the BC Forest Safety Council certificate that has been modified to be appropriate for Certified Utility Arborists working in utility line clearing operations, or Certified Arborist Technicians in similar environments. Successful completion of the endorsement certifies a CUA or CAT to fall a tree that is larger than 15 cm in diameter at a height of 30 cm from the base. Failure to complete the certification will mean that existing CUAs or CATs will be excluded from some falling activities in their day-to-day work. WorkSafeBC is actively addressing endorsement with companies onsite.
  • Individuals who are a current BC Certified Faller from the BC Forest Safety Council and are CUAs or CATs can apply for the WUAA/HEBC Falling and Bucking Endorsement and do not need to complete the field evaluation.
  • View the videos from WorkSafeBC to help prepare for the practical assessment. http://www2.worksafebc.com/Publications/Multimedia/Videos.asp?ReportID=36885

Application for Falling & Bucking Endorsement – October 2014