Study Resources

Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Apprentices

The ITA Personal Record Book. Is for apprentices to use with their employers to ensure they are receiving training in the full scope of the trade to reinforce tasks learned in school, and for tasks that are learned in the field. The in school technical training is only part of what is found on the exam. Apprentices should be working with their sponsor mentor to learn practical skills in the field as part of their work place training hours. This Record Book can help apprentices record their progress.

Level 1-3 & Foundation Technical Training Study Resources

HortEducation.ca Technical Training Manuals: 

HortEducation.ca manuals are used by apprentices in training institutions and are available through our online store. This is a study resource that addresses in comprehensive detail, the topics outlined in the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS).

ITA Program Outline

The ITA Program Outline provides guidelines for training institutions to use in planning the delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers. This provides an outline of topic (Learning Tasks and Subtasks). This topic structure is maintained in the HortEducation.ca manuals.

Level 1-3 Exam Weighting Charts

Landscape Horticulturist: Foundation Exam Weighting Chart

Landscape Horticulturist: Harmonized Level 1 Exam Weighting Chart

Landscape Horticulturist: Harmonized Level 2 Exam Weighting Chart

Landscape Horticulturist: Harmonized Level 3 Exam Weighting Chart

The Level 3 chart is not yet available it will be added once it is released on the ITA Landscape Horticulturist Program webpage

Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS)

The learning requirements for the Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist trade program are set by the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS). The RSOS outlines the learning tasks and sub-tasks within each four “Major Work Activity” divisions. When preparing for an exam it can be helpful in focusing study efforts to review these requirements before studying the HortEducation.ca manuals which provide comprehensive content for each of the tasks.

Level 4/Inter Provincial Exam Study Resources

The Inter-Provincial Landscape Horticulturist Exam is based on the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS). The RSOS outlines the learning tasks and sub-tasks within each of the 4 “Major Work Activity” divisions.

Use the following links for IP Exam study resources.

HortEducation.ca IP Exam Prep Course & Booklet

HortEducation.ca provides a Landscape Horticulturist IP Exam preparation workshop Course and booklet – Check our news and events pages or Facebook page for upcoming course offerings. If you would like to be notified of upcoming workshop courses contact us to be placed on our notification list. This is a half day course that reviews common challenge areas of exam topics and helps you to prepare to write the exam. Included in the workshop course is a prep booklet that summarizes the workshop content and a practice exam. The booklet and practice exam can be bought individually in our online store if you are unable to attend a workshop.

HortEducation.ca manuals

HortEducation.ca manuals are used by apprentices in training institutions and are available through our online store. This is a study resource that addresses in comprehensive detail, the topics outlined in the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS).

Red Seal Canada Official Program Standard (RSOS)

Comprehensive and complete RSOS

• Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS)

• Downloadable pdf

Condensed RSOS 

This guide is much the same as the above “Comprehensive and complete RSOS” but condensed to concentrate on learning tasks. It does not include technical information required by training providers for planning the trade training. It also does not contain “knowledge” outcomes and objectives. “knowledge” outcomes and objectives can be useful in studying so links to both versions have been provided.

• Red Seal Examination Preparation Guide – Landscape Horticulturist

***Tasks denoted with “(Not Common Core)” are not part of the exam. These tasks are “MAJOR WORK ACTIVITY E: Works in production of plant material” TASKS E-15 to E-18. Only Major Work Activities A,B, C, & D are Examinable.

Exam Weighting

Exam Weighting is a breakdown of the number of questions related to Major Work Activities with further breakdown of the number of questions related to learning tasks. This can help focus study efforts.

Plant Identification

Complete Red Seal Plant Identification List The Plant ID list is maintained by the Canadian Nursery & Landscape Association. The plants on this list can be the subject or component of exam questions.

Practice Exams

• Sample exam questions from the Red Seal website.

• The HortEducation.ca Landscape Horticulturist Red Seal Prep Manual includes a practice exam

Facebook Landscape Horticulturist Study Group

Red Seal Landscape Horticulturist Interprovincial Exam Study Group

RED SEAL EXAM Self-Assessment Guide

The Red Seal Exam Self-Assessment Guide is a tool that provides the exam break down and a self assessment chart for you to gauge your level of understanding and experience. You can look up the scope of listed task in the RSOS to help in your assessment.

Information Guides

Information on preparing to write an Interprovincial Red Seal Examination and what to expect at the exam.

• Red Seal Canada Interprovincial Red Seal Exam Preparation guide provides study techniques which can be used to prepare for writing the Interprovincial Red Seal examinations for all Red Seal trades. Topics which are discussed in the guide are: studying for the Red Seal exam, sample Red Seal questions, and writing the Red Seal exam. 

• Downloadable pdf Interprovincial Red Seal Exam Preparation guide

• Red Seal Canada Landscape Horticulturist Interprovincial Program Guide (IPG) provides program information which can be used to prepare for writing the Interprovincial Red Seal examinations for the Landscape Horticulturist trade. ***This guide was written before program updating and makes use of the term “National Occupational Analysis (NOA)” which has been renamed to the “Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS)”

 

Arborist Technician

HortEducation.ca Arborist Technician Apprentice Manual: is used by apprentices in training institutions and is available through our online store. This is a study resource that addresses in comprehensive detail, the topics outlined in the ITA Arborist Technician Program Outline.

Exam Weighting Chart: provides a breakdown of the approximate number of questions per General Area of Competency (GAC) on the exam. This can help focus study efforts. The Exam Weighting Chart is a table showing the approximate percentage of weighting per General Area of Competency represented on the Arborist Technician Standard Level Exam.

ITA Arborist Technician Program Profile (Describes the requirements for apprentices and challengers to earn certification)

ITA Arborist Technician Program Outline (Guidelines for delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers. This document lists the learning objectives, tasks, and sub-tasks that comprise the technical training portion of the apprenticeship. Learning objectives, tasks, and sub-tasks are divided into General Area of competencies (GAC). This document can be used in combination with the “Exam Weighting Chart” and the “Technical Training Manual” to prepare for the Level exam.)

 

 

Climbing Arborist

HortEducation.ca Climbing Arborist Apprentice Manual: is used by apprentices in training institutions and is available through our online store. This is a study resource that addresses in comprehensive detail, the topics outlined in the ITA Climbing Arborist Program Outline.

Exam Weighting Chart: provides a breakdown of the approximate number of questions per General Area of Competency (GAC) on the exam. This can help focus study efforts. The Exam Weighting Chart is a table showing the approximate percentage of weighting per General Area of Competency represented on the Climbing Arborist Standard Level Exam.

ITA Climbing Arborist Program Profile (Describes the requirements for apprentices and challengers to earn certification)

ITA Climbing Arborist Program Outline (Guidelines for delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers. This document lists the learning objectives, tasks and sub-tasks that comprise the technical training portion of the apprenticeship. This document can be used in combination with the “Exam Weighting Chart” and the “Technical Training Manual” to prepare for the Level exam.)

Practical Exam: Both the apprenticeship and challenge pathway require the candidate to demonstrate competency in a practical assessment in addition to a written exam. Please refer to the attached Occupational Performance Standards for an overview of the competencies that are assessed.

Technical Training Required Equipment List

Apprentices are required to supply their own Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and climbing equipment.

PPE to include:

  • ANSI approved hard hat or helmet with 4-point chin strap and visor
  • Hearing protection (muffs or plugs)
  • CSA approved safety glasses
  • WorkSafeBC approved (3600 fpm) chainsaw pants or chaps
  • CSA approved boots with ankle support
  • Leather gloves for rigging
  • Rubber gloves for climbing
  • Class 2 hi-viz apparel

Climbing equipment to include:

  • 12’ 8 to 10 mm, Prusik cord
  • Single eye split tail
  • Eye to eye split tail (optional)
  • Saddles (ANSI approved arborist saddle)
  • Approved lanyard and adjuster
  • Tree climbing spurs
  • Personal first aid kit with pressure bandage
  • 2 – Double auto-locking carabiners 23 kN
  • Climbing rope 150’ x ½” 6000 lbs tensile
  • Micro pulley with utility carabiner
  • Figure 8 descender

 

Utility Arborist

HortEducation.ca Utility Arborist Apprentice Manual – Level 1 & Level 2 Combined: is used by apprentices in training institutions and is available through our online store. This is a study resource that addresses in comprehensive detail, the topics outlined in the ITA Utility Arborist Program Outline.

The Utility Arborist manuals can also be purchased for Levels one and two individually at the following links

Utility Arborist Apprentice Manual – Level 1 Only

Utility Arborist Apprentice Manual – Level 2 Only

Exam Weighting Chart: provides a breakdown of the approximate number of questions per General Area of Competency (GAC) on the exam. This can help focus study efforts. The Exam Weighting Chart is a table showing the approximate percentage of weighting per General Area of Competency represented on the Certified Utility Arborist Standard Level 1 Exam and the CofQ Exam.

ITA Utility Arborist Program Profile (Describes the requirements for apprentices and challengers to earn certification)

ITA Utility Arborist Program Outline (Guidelines for delivery of technical training at ITA Recognized Training Providers. This document lists the learning objectives, tasks and sub-tasks that comprise the technical training portion of the apprenticeship. This document can be used in combination with the “Exam Weighting Chart” and the “Technical Training Manual” to prepare for the Level exam.)

 

Falling & Bucking Endorsement Candidates

Preparation Resources

WorkSafeBC Video Links

View the videos from WorkSafeBC to help prepare for the practical assessment.