Utility Specialist Certification

johnmeiszner

johnmeiszner

I just finished reading the certified tree worker thread. There was definitely two sides to that one. I'm curious how people feel about the Utility Specialist Certification.
More in particular, do those of you who felt that its just a way for the ISA to make money, feel that way with the Utility Specialist exam as well?
And how do those of you who do have this certification feel about it?
Thanks for the comments in advance...if anybody comments.
John
 
Not really wort it IMO. But it is another feather in your cap. I'm with you on the ISA's way to make money comment. They have been getting bad about that.
 
I became an ISA certified utility arborist about a year ago. I did it for my consulting work. Like other industries, the certification allows the the client (public, municipalities, lawyers, etc) to feel relatively confident they are speaking with someone with at least a modicum understanding of the trees and proper arboricultural practices. What is the alternative? State mandated levels of arboriculture expertise - that could be ugly.

Overall, I learned a lot from studying the resources recommended by ISA (on the application). The print resources always come in handy when writing reports and preparing for depositions.

Certification, IMO, is very similar to insurance. I complain about it all the time, but when $#@* happens, I'm thankful I have it.
 
I passed the test in May. Like Bustus, I have it mainly for consulting, and the studying did me a lot of good. For the BCMA I studied a lot on soils and chemicals. For this one, other chemicals and electricity, which I was too weak on. EHAP training goes a long way to getting you ready.

The Municipal and Utility tests both have a lot on human relations, more than I expected. But when you consider how key it is to work with people to get the trees done right, maybe it's that important to test on those skills.

Re cash grabs, what does it cost to renew, $100 every three years? That's less than a dime a day. If I'm not making enough to cover that, I'm doing something wrong.
Maybe lots of things. /forum/images/graemlins/bangtard.gif
 
Nobody forces you to aquire any of these certifications. Many employers do look upon these certifications very favorably though. My current employer even pays my ISA dues and recertification fees. They must think it is worth something.
 
The ISA continues to look at making the certifications legitimate. There are boards & committees made up of our industry peers that review the testing process. Does the ISA charge $$ for the tests, yes, but I doubt they bearly break even. Achieving certifications by any industry association is to keep the "fly-by nights" out, & helps the public to know that you may know what you're talking about. I agree with Bustus & guymayor regarding their comments.
 
The ISA is a company out to make money, but I like having the added "Feather in my cap" although its only the CA feather right now.

The ISA is out to make money, but.... they are much nicer about it than the NRA. Next time they call (normally every other day) I am going to give them a piece of my mind and cancel my membership toots sweet.
 
[ QUOTE ]
the NRA. Next time they call (normally every other day) I am going to give them a piece of my mind and cancel my membership toots sweet.

[/ QUOTE ]Good on you Carl. Wage Peace!
 
BUK, I'll certify you, not to worry.
grin.gif
 
I'm sure my boss will spring for it if I really give him some good reasons. My company wouldn't blink an eye at spending money....right Kev. However, my ISA cert. is doing nothing for my job standing or performance. 80% of the trees I deal with are dropped from the ground w/ some roping involved. Right now in my line of work, I have no use for the ISA and I don't see my job changing for a number of years.

Don't get me wrong, I like the competitions and the overall message the ISA wants to get out but unfornuately it hasn't done anything for me in the last few years.

Later
 
Guy (guymayor) and myself had the similar feelings about the "moneypit" that we believed existed in a number of professional societies claiming to support arborists. And, speaking for myself, I shared your feelings about the ISA's greed for money as motivation for producing more levels of certification, meetings in "exotic" locations, etc.... Well, Guy and I (that just sounds funny) spoke up and questioned things. We called folks in the ISA leadership food chain and asked pointed questions. We started reading about the society's mission and such. In no time at all, we found ourselves on a pretty influential committee (Educational Goods and Services). Next year I'll be chair the dang thing. Just a couple of years ago I was on the outside throwing rocks at "the man"... now, I'm actually volunteering to help "the man". What I've learned so far, is that "they" are "we". It's like they (ISA) are holding a mirror back on the folks that make up this industry. Strange days indeed.

Anyway Buk, you remind me of me with your posts. A quick response to the really good points you have brought up would be... if not the ISA, then who? The ISA's position has been all along to educate the public (and arborists) about proper tree care - not to serve as an enforcement agency (state and federal agencies are suppose to do that). The ISA has, at least IMO, have done a pretty good job assembling the right people to produce the right publication to address specific problems in our industry. And we really do need a voice lobbying on our behalf with and against other industries.

So I pay my dues and maintain my membership, not for any employer or client... but I like to think that I'm doing it to advance along this young industry of ours. That way, if my daughters ever get into this line of work, they will hopefully be dealing with a public that already understands and appreciates arboriculture and views it differently thant the pot-belly-beer-drinking-hack-tree-topping-payment-upfront-taking-swindling tree "expert" that knocked on my door last week while disfiguring my neighbor's trees for a special price.

I could go on forever but you get my point. I think for Guy (and I know I'm speaking for myself) when I say to all your buzzers, Preach on mates! We'll try and pass along your thoughts and comments to the appropriate person in the food chain because I really do want the ISA to be a functional group that stays in touch with the men and women that actually "do" arboriculture (i.e. the folks with sawdust in their pockets).
 
[ QUOTE ]
I like the competitions and the overall message the ISA wants to get out but unfornuately it hasn't done anything for me in the last few years.

Later

[/ QUOTE ]BUK, it's "Later" that we all should be thinking about. Even if you do not see your membership and cert making a pile of difference right now, think about Later. 5 years. 20 years. Do you want to watch your trade sink or swim?

Bustus, you are not just out to help the man, you are The Man! You'll be a fantastic chair--we are so lucky that I was nimble enough to duck at the right time. Or was I stumbling...
laugh.gif
 
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