EAC's First ETW certification in Hong Kong

Talking Trees with Lily and Jad . Welcome back to Talking Trees . Today we're going global and examining the first ever European tree worker ETW exam held in Hong Kong . The results let's just say there's room for improvement . Tune in to learn what the ETW exam involves , where Hong Kong arborists fell short , the implications for tree care in Hong Kong and beyond .

Hey , fellow arborists , you know , something big just happened in our world , something that could change how we get recognized and , you know , show our expertise .

Yeah , it really could .

We're talking about the European Tree Worker Certification , the ETW , Yep . It's been this big deal in Europe for a while now and it seems like it's spreading to other parts of the world .

It is it is .

It seems like it's spreading to other parts of the world . It is . It is Get this . The first ever ETW exam outside of Europe just finished in Hong Kong . Really makes you think huh , we're going to break down exactly what happened . 15 candidates took the exam , some of the top arborists from Hong Kong .

It's really pretty fascinating because this whole thing kind of points to , you know , maybe a global shift towards standardized , rigorous arboriculture practices . The European Arboriculture Council , the EAC , has been really pushing this ETW program internationally . They want to see like a really strong professional system for arborists everywhere you know , worldwide .

So it's kind of like they're saying hey , look what we've built in Europe . It's working really well and we want to share it with everybody .

Exactly Sharing the success , spreading the knowledge .

Yeah , and the ETW certification is already recognized in 27 European countries and now Hong Kong , so it's pretty much the most widely recognized arborist accreditation out there internationally .

That's pretty amazing .

Now , I know some of you might be thinking like ugh , another certification Right . But hear me out . We've heard that this exam was not easy . Not at all , a lot of the candidates found it tougher than they expected , especially the simulation tests .

You know that's one of the things that makes the ETW different from other certifications it's all about applied knowledge , practical skills . Instead of just doing multiple choice questions , the ETW puts people through these , you know , like real world scenarios .

Wow , so we're not talking like textbook examples , right ? These simulations were meant to really challenge them and make them think on their feet .

Exactly . It's not about memorizing stuff . It's about showing what you would actually do out there in the field .

So , for example , one of the simulation tests was all about assessing tree risk .

Oh , yeah , that one .

Candidates had to look at a tree , figure out what the hazards were and then recommend ways to reduce the risk .

That's a perfect example of how the ETW goes way beyond just memorizing facts . You have to analyze the situation , think about all the different things that are going on and make good decisions .

And apparently a lot of candidates had trouble with that particular test .

Well , it really shows how important it is to be able to assess risk and make smart choices . When you're out there working with trees . It's not just about climbing or using a chainsaw . It's about understanding all those things that affect tree health and safety .

Right right .

It's all connected .

And speaking of challenges , the tree identification part also trips some people up . Oh yeah , they had to identify trees by their scientific names and their common names . No apps allowed .

That's a great way to test if someone really knows their stuff . You can't always rely on technology .

Sometimes you just got to use your own brain .

Exactly .

Now Sammy . Oh , he's a pretty big name in the Hong Kong arboriculture world . He was really key in bringing the ETW exam to the region .

He's a great guy .

And he said that a lot of the candidates were super confident at first , but then they quickly realized that they had some knowledge gaps .

It's amazing how a tough exam like this can really show you where you need to improve . It makes you face your weaknesses and figure out how to get better .

And it's not just about individual growth , it's about raising the bar for the whole profession .

Absolutely . That's why the EAC is so focused on getting global recognition for the ETW . They see it as a way to make arboriculture better everywhere you know . It really makes you think if arborists all over the world were working to those same high standards , it could mean better tree care , you know , globally .

Yeah , yeah . It's like the EEC is saying , look , we made this tough system and it works in Europe , so why not share it ?

Right , precisely .

They're not trying to like force the European way on everybody , but they're offering something that can be , you know , adjusted to different places and situations . Yeah , yeah , that's a good point . The ETW isn't about copying Europe . It's about making sure everybody's on the same page when it comes to being a professional arborist .

Exactly Now about that Hong Kong exam . Another part that was tricky for some folks was the tree inspection part . Sam Mio noticed that a lot of the candidates only looked at the trees from one side . They didn't walk all the way around . Oh , wow , yeah . So they missed some stuff that could have been dangerous , you know , hidden from view .

Right , right .

To do a really good tree inspection you've got to be systematic . Look at it from every angle , Be on the lookout for signs of decay or weaknesses or anything that could affect the tree's health or safety .

It makes you wonder if even experienced arborists are missing these things . Yeah , what does that say about tree inspections in general ? You ?

know in that area . Yeah , it brings up some important questions about training . Are arborists getting what they need to do these really thorough inspections ?

And how can we make sure those inspections are always top notch , no matter where they're ?

happening . Good questions , those are really good questions . The ETW exam it's like a wake-up call . It shows that we need to keep training and learning to make sure arborists are up to date on the best practices .

Right , you can't just get certified once and think you're done . Arboriculture is always changing . You've got to keep learning .

Oh yeah , absolutely , and the EAC gets that . They're not just giving an exam , they also offer training and resources to help people get ready for it and improve their skills .

It's a whole package deal .

It is .

So a lot of people had trouble with the practical parts of the ETW exam , but they did pretty well on the written test .

Interesting . That might mean that a lot of arborist training programs focus a lot on the theory . You know .

But maybe not enough on putting it into practice .

It's possible . It's like the difference between reading about pruning and actually doing it . You can know all the stuff , but until you actually do it you're not really proficient .

And that's what's cool about the ETW it makes you connect that theory and practice . Show your skills in real situations .

Get your hands dirty .

Yeah , speaking of practical skills , the climbing and pruning part of the exam also showed some interesting things .

Oh yeah , the part where you see who's really got the basics down .

Exactly . Sammy Oz said that some people were more into showing off their fancy tools and techniques instead of showing they knew the basics .

It's a good reminder that , no matter how fancy the tech gets , the most important thing is knowing the fundamentals .

You got to be able to tie a good knot , make a clean cut , understand the tree structure before you even think about the latest gear or techniques .

Yeah , those basic skills are like the foundation for everything we do in arboriculture .

And without them , you're putting yourself and the tree in danger .

Exactly Like trying to build a house on a bad foundation it's not going to last . So what does all this mean for arborists outside of Europe ? Well , it shows that the EAC is serious about this global standard of excellence in arboriculture .

And Hong Kong is just the first step .

Samia is already talking about bringing ETW to Taiwan and Southeast Asia , so it's clear that the EAC wants to share this with the whole world .

It's like the world of arboriculture is getting closer and closer .

Yeah , and the ETW is kind of like a bridge bringing people together from different places , all working towards being the best they can be .

So for all of you listening out there , how does this affect you ? What does this EPW thing mean for your career , your professional development and all that ?

It's a great way to see where you stand . Compare your skills to this internationally recognized standard .

Yeah , kind of like the Olympics of Arboriculture .

Exactly . You're not just competing against yourself . You're seeing how you measure up against the best in the world .

That's pretty cool , and even if you don't decide to go for the ETW certification , what happened in these exams is valuable for all of us .

Right . It can help us see where we might need to brush up on our skills , you know , or learn some new stuff .

It's a good time to stop and think . Am I really doing my best ? Am I meeting those high standards in my work ?

And if you're not , or even if you just want to push yourself further , the ETW might be something to check out .

For sure . Now for those of you who are interested , the next exam is in May 2025 in Hong Kong . And they'll have some training beforehand to help people get ready . So if you're ready for a challenge , this is your chance to join this awesome group of skilled arborists from all over .

It's not just about having another certificate on your wall . It's about being part of something bigger , you know , making the whole profession better .

Yeah , this ETW coming to Hong Kong was huge and it's just the start . The EAC sharing this program with everyone , it's really changing things for arborists everywhere .

So think about this what part do you want to play in the future of arboriculture ? Are you ready to step up and embrace this global standard of excellence ?

That's all the time we have for this deep dive into the world of the ETW . We'll keep you posted on what's happening with this program

Until next time , happy climbing everyone .

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