Roger 0:02

Talking Trees with Lily and Jad . In previous episodes , we've already touched on the European Arboricultural Council and its activities in general . This time , we'll dive deeper into the certification of the European Tree Worker , exploring the qualifications , standards and what it takes to earn this highly regarded credential .

Jad 0:27

Welcome to the Deep Dive . Today we're climbing high into the world of professional tree care and taking a close look at the European Tree Worker Certification , or ETW .

Lilly 0:38

That's right , the ETW .

Jad 0:39

Now we all know that the tree care industry is full of incredibly skilled professionals .

Lilly 0:44

Absolutely .

Jad 0:45

But earning that official certification , well , well , that can really set you apart .

Lilly 0:49

Oh , for sure .

Jad 0:50

So today we're going to find out why some tree workers decide to go for that certification and we'll really dig into what that ETW process actually involves .

Lilly 1:00

It's a journey for sure .

Jad 1:01

We've got some fascinating research from a study that was published in Arboriculture and Urban Forestry and some expert insights from arbjobscom as well .

Lilly 1:09

Sounds like we've got a lot to unpack .

Jad 1:11

We do so . Picture this You're a tree worker in Europe .

Lilly 1:14

Okay , I'm there .

Jad 1:15

Is getting certified worth the time and effort ? Good question what are the real benefits you'll see and what kind of challenges might you face along the way ? Let's find out . You'll see , and what kind of challenges might you face along the way . Let's find out . Let's do it . This study we mentioned it really dives into the motivations and barriers surrounding certification and , while it focused on commercial tree workers in the US . South . It actually offers some really valuable insights that apply to tree workers all over the world , including right there in Europe .

Lilly 1:40

I think that's right . The reasons behind choosing to get certified they're pretty universal , you know .

Jad 1:46

Yeah , it's a decision with professional and personal implications for sure . F-node . One of the things that really jumped out at me from this study was that a lot of tree workers they view certification as a way to really boost their knowledge and skills .

Lilly 2:00

Oh , that makes sense .

Jad 2:01

Especially those who may not have a formal degree in arboriculture .

Lilly 2:04

Right . They might have learned through experience on the job .

Jad 2:07

Exactly so . For them , the ETW , it becomes this valuable alternative route to gaining that professional recognition .

Lilly 2:15

It's a way to demonstrate their expertise even without that piece of paper .

Jad 2:19

Exactly , and arbjobscom actually echoes that idea . They do they emphasize that practical skills and real-world experience , those are the key requirements for the ETW , even if you don't have a formal education ?

Lilly 2:32

So it's all about what you can do , not just what you know in theory .

Jad 2:37

I love that , but on the flip side , the study also found that many tree workers they find themselves so incredibly busy with their existing workloads .

Lilly 2:47

Oh yeah , that's the reality of the job .

Jad 2:50

It can be hard to carve out that time for study and exam preparation .

Lilly 2:53

I can only imagine it's like adding another branch to your already full plate .

Jad 2:57

Exactly . You're already out there climbing , pruning , managing projects .

Lilly 3:00

Yeah , when do you squeeze in the studying ?

Jad 3:02

Right , yeah , it's a tough balance for sure .

Lilly 3:04

It is . But you know , even if you're a seasoned professional , I think there's always room to grow and learn .

Jad 3:12

For sure .

Lilly 3:12

Brushing up on best practices , staying updated on industry standards , the ETW it pushes you to do that .

Jad 3:19

So it's like a way to make sure your skills stay sharp even as the industry evolves .

Lilly 3:23

Exactly Like a way to make sure your skills stay sharp even as the industry evolves . Exactly it's about continuous improvement .

Jad 3:27

You know always striving to be better . I love it . So let's say you .

Roger 3:32

If you want to dive deeper into this topic and catch more of Lily and Jad's conversation , head over to wwwheroheroco slash talkingtrees . Your support means the world to us . It allows us to bring you the latest updates and insights from the world of arboriculture every single day . Thank you for keeping the podcast growing .