Overview
The Utility Arborist Level One and Two Apprenticeship program consists of a twelve-week basic session and a twelve-week advanced session, both starting in January (alternating years). The program focuses on advanced topics in the maintenance and removal of trees, equipment use, tree climbing and utility arboricultural sciences with a strong emphasis on safety and working in a team environment.
The Utility Arborist Level One Apprenticeship program consists of a twelve-week basic session starting in January. The program focuses on maintenance and removal of trees in various settings with a strong emphasis on safety.
The Utility Arborist Level Two Apprenticeship program consists of a twelve-week advanced session starting in January. The program focuses on advanced topics in equipment use, tree climbing and utility arboricultural sciences with a strong emphasis on safety and working in a team environment.
A Utility Arborist prunes or clears woody plants in proximity to exposed electrical apparatus or in the course of utility line clearing operations, prunes, fall or removes trees which could come into contact with energized power lines.
Utility Arborist is a non-restricted certified trade regulated by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. On successfully completing the apprenticeship program, a person working in this trade is entitled to a Certificate of Apprenticeship and can challenge the trade examination to obtain a Certification of Qualification.
Courses
Career Path
Apprentices in the utility arborist trade may be employed in the utility, municipal or commercial tree care sectors; as well as tree services, golf courses, public utilities or self-employment.
Recent ice storms in major city centres have led to increased need for forestry care for the tens of thousands of damaged trees.