How do we make it better??

OutofMytree

Over the past few weeks I have read numerous threads that talk about how bad the regulation of our industry is. I agree with those comments wholeheartedly. So here's the challenge. Instead of standing on our respective soapboxes and whining, let's put together a list of criteria for a properly licensed industry. What would it REALLY take to make arboriculture a better and safer industry? What is really important??

Here is my 2 cents worth.

There are 3 groups of people in any industry. The client, the service provider and the regulator.

The Client.

Clients have a right to know what they are getting. If you call a plumber or electrician to your home you are entitled to ask for their registration details. We need some means of registration so the public can tell the cowboys from the professionals.

Clients must be protected from financial risk. All arborists must be insured to a minimum standard and have that certificate of currency on hand at all times.

Clients have a right to a fair deal. Pricing is a touchy subject. I quote higher in Summer when business is booming than in Winter when things are quiet. It should still be mandatory that all quotations follow a standard format with abn, rego number, phone number, business name and quoters details on each one.

The Service Provider. (That's us!)

Business is about risk. In putting both body and bank balance on the line, the SP needs reassurance that his/her efforts to do the right thing are rewarded. Tree work needs to be restricted to licensed professionals just as plumbing and electrical work is. Training is expensive and time consuming. What is the point of learning more and operating safely when work can go to any clown with a chainsaw?? I have borrowed enough money to buy another house in order to run my business safely and properly. Regulation will encourage operators to invest in plant, expand their workforce and generally raise their standards all over.

The Regulator.

These bodies, whoever they may be, are critical to any industry. Regulation requires supervision otherwise it is worthless. Supervision costs money....and that's where it gets sticky. I am stumped as to the best way to regulate an industry without spending money. After all, if there is no inspection of work then the same butcher jobs could be done under the umbrella of "license" and no ground gained for anyone.

I suggest a graded license. Given that we are talking about existing as well as future businesses, there needs to be a transition phase. People like myself who have training but have been too lazy to get formal certification should be required to sit a written examination and demonstrate field skills. This should qualify me for a "standard" license. Those who already have formal qualifications at diploma level or beyond should still sit an examination but be able to gain a "consulting" license. In much the same way as we have car, motorcycle and truck licenses.

That's about all I have for the moment. I am serious about this issue and after over $300k spent to date, I will gladly put my hand in my pocket for a few hundred dollars to PROVE that I am as good as I tell my clients I am.

Lets hear it folks. What ideas do you have? How do we overcome the regulation issues? Who sets the standards? How should existing skill without formal qualifications be assessed? What sort of phase in time should we have?

Once we have all this information together, let's do more than talk. I will personally hand deliver this list of recommandations to ANY person or office I believe can get something done in WA. That just leaves 7 other states and territories for the rest of you! Or if you are thinking global.......

Eric Frei

My responses are in red.

How about we get a doozy thread ready then we can link people to it, they can interact plus I can convert it to a PDF too

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OutofMytree

Spotted the add ons Eric. GST standard invoicing I am aware of. I did not know it applied to quotes as well. I was really talking about what I do myself which is to use the standard jims trees invoice form with my abn, name and mobile phone number attached. All I need to add now is my tree workers license number.......

I think 2 years is plenty. If you have the skills and experience but no quals the verbal exam may be a challenge but the skills testing should be a cinch. I was thinking a year but lets be firm on the need to include existing "saw hands" with years/decades of experience. Remember that as passionate as we are about our work it is still only words to the beaurocrats who read our suggestions. The trick is to think of the worst thing that these changes could do to the industry and answer those questions before they are asked.

It is clear that we have a broad spread of experiences here. I believe we can be the cornerstone of industry wide change by using that experience.

Btw, exactly who would you suggest we present this document to when its finished??

Eric Frei

The minister of Dept of Industrial Relations or similar, they'll be obligated to respond and will direct you to the appropriate place if not.

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