Letterkenny apprentice among the first to graduate from the new arboriculture programme

Letterkenny apprentice Aaron McElroy Kelly is one of 11 apprentices who graduated from the first cohort of the QQI Level 6 Arboriculture Apprenticeship Programme. Éanna Ní Lamhna, biologist, environmentalist, broadcaster and author, presented the apprentices with their certificates on the day.

The arboriculture apprenticeship was developed by employers from the industry working in partnership with Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board. It is a two-year programme which includes on-site training in Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre, Clonbur, Galway.

The apprenticeship programme, managed by Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, is the first formal qualification in the arboriculture industry in Ireland that offers all eleven NPTC (National Proficiency Tests Council) certificates of competence required to practice as an arborist.

An arborist studies the biomechanics of trees; growth, cultivation, reactions to pruning, diseases and all of the practical aspects of tree management. Along with maintaining and caring for trees by tree pruning, removal, planting and emergency tree care, an arborist provides many other services such as insect control, fertilization, cabling, aeration, and lightning protection.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Jeremy Ryan, Coordinator of the National Arboriculture Apprenticeship Programme, said “We want to extend our congratulations to all eleven apprentices who have graduated from the first class of the arboriculture apprenticeship. We are proud to be the National Lead Coordinator for this apprenticeship and to be able to welcome students to the beautiful surroundings of Petersburg Outdoor Education Centre in Galway.

“The apprenticeship course is hugely important as it is the first national qualification put in place for the arboriculture industry. Apprentices get the unique opportunity to ‘earn while you learn’ through on-the-job experience blended with their onsite training in Petersburg. This is an international qualification which will allow graduates to travel around the world using the skills and knowledge they have gained.

“The apprenticeship is suitable for both new and existing employees who are hoping to upskill. It’s great to see apprentices coming from a large spread across the country including Cork, Clare, Fermanagh and Tipperary. Our next intake is August 2023 and we encourage anyone who has an interest in working in the outdoors and the environment to get in touch. We’re looking forward to seeing the class of 2023 go out into the workforce and make their mark on the arboriculture industry in Ireland.”

Applications are being accepted for the next intake beginning in September 2023. Further information about the apprenticeship is available at https://gretb.ie/arboriculture/