What is a qualified climber

[rfwoodvt]

Because we work with a lot of students we're looking at how we might go about classifying climbers. Perhaps something like trainee, beginner, intermediate and qualified. Of course the question becomes how do we define those and what metrics/measurements/checklists might we use to sort it all out?

Does anyone here have anything they use to classify their climbers and what the qualifications are for each class?

 

[cerviarborist]

Richard, I'm not 100% certain, but I think that Jepson's "Tree Climber's Companion" has a compentency matrix, which can be used for assessing climber skills.

 

[monkeylove]

It has a Skills performance sheet in the back. Its about 120 skills to be performed. Some of it is a little old school but it is a great start. I would probably tweek it for your use along with adding some basic thought process stuff (safety, what to do when you get up there and the tree is nothing like it looked like from the ground, thinking on your feet and when to just come back down and ask for a second opinion or possibly a bucket or crane.....)

 

[WaitakKauri]

I'm a competent non-spur climber. I could start a chainsaw if it started like my Husky line trimmer.

I'd have some columns in the matrix for climbing, cutting (chainsaw/handsaw), rigging, safety, then soft skills (like communication, team player, customer service).

Perhaps safety is a separate column because of its importance and a desire for a safety culture, otherwise I'd have a safety component inherent in each skill.

I'm about a customer centric ethos so that's why I'd have that and soft skills. The soft skills column would probably depend on your company strategy and your crews.

For each skill, I'd have a basic benchmark that indicates industry standard has been met (ie Qualified as you've used) then other lines like you suggest for Intermediate, then maybe Advanced (some use Senior as a highest skill level, but to me it sounds like it's for advanced age. Advanced sounds capability orientated). Sharing this with the team, can show what areas can be improved or met for employee growth, and you can use with individuals for personal plans, etc

Just my 2c as someone from outside the industry for my day job, but who uses skills matrices.

 

[flyingsquirrel25]

What is a qualified climber? A myth, legend, the Sasquatch of our industry!

But seriously, a qualified climber is in the eyes of the person asking the question. What is it you want this person to do, if they can't they aren't qualified. Are they trainable, then maybe that can be partially qualified. I've known guys that were qualified climbers for the company I worked for at the time, they could get the job done well. Would they be qualified to work for my company now? Not hardly. But they were still good climbers for their positions, I would even go as far as to say the best in the business.

 

[Gorman]

I'd say a qualified climber is someone who can generate an average amount of $$$ for their time on a tree. Not a production fella, but definitely not a guy that learned a couple knots and all of a sudden wants 25 an hour to climb. I'm not sure of a way to vet someone without putting them on a job. Answering questions, showing knots, and giving an interview is a far cry from earning and burning.

 

[ward]

Rick, I like the question. It is a useful one too, in trying to figure out what a person's true competency is. We know that learning this work is not a merely academic enterprise: you don't just read a book. The ability to climb a tree, climb a tree and work in a tree, climb in a tree and rig it out, etc. varies greatly with indiviudal person's, sometimes regardless of their time spent doing "tree work". I hire people as tree climbers, but don't impose any classification on them. To be a climber implies a certain kind of personality that not all groundpeople have. You've got to show nerve and guts and attention to detail, in my view, as a precondition for being asked to climb. These attributes must be there in order to move to the climber rank. I've been thinking in my mind for years of the following classification but don't impose any formal system on them yet. Try to keep things fluid so people feel like they can move up the ranks by their own inner development.

Tree Climber I: intro level, ddrt, some pruning; semi competent must be supervised
Tree Climber II: ddrt, srt, pruning, small removals; semi competent must be supervised
Tree Climber III: ddrt, srt, pruning and all removals, fully competent suitable for Crew Leader

 

[Bimmer]

Just from experience, I recently changed companies, and of coarse during the job interview I heard all the same garbage I heard from other owners. "I treat my guys good, I pay the best, blah blah blah"and I outright told him I heard this before. So we agreed on that I would work a few days for him, talk to his crew and get the real story. Well it's a 2 way street, Everybody says what I say at an interview. So we both got a feel for each other before hiring. I'm guessing this is why your asking.

 

[Baja Mike]

To me a qualified climber is someone who
1)Can take down any tree safely and efficiently no matter how big provided the proper equipment
2)Can climb spikeless and prune any tree properly according to the A 300 standards safely and efficiently.
3)Can work off a crane safely setting straps and being able to size the piece.
4)Can operate a bucket to get a quick ride to the top,if bucket is already set up blowing apart another tree.
Although not a climber qualification I would like the candidate to be able to operate the bucket in conjunction with a crane for removals
5) Can bring together the crew as a team to accomplish what is only possible by working as a team
If they can accomplish the above tasks to me their qualified because to accomplish those tasks they have a thorough understanding of climbing,ddrt, srt,rigging,proper pruning practices along with the most important;planning the work then working the plan
If anyone knows where to find this qualified guy let me know.
It's taken me 20 yrs to be proficient at all above mentioned tasks.