Training Opportunities

This two-week, in-person course covers the fundamentals of utility vegetation management through a combination of classroom and fieldwork. The course is perfect for those who are new to the pre-inspection field.

The coursework covers a variety of topics, including:

• UVM safety, regulations and roles.
• Tree identification.
• Tree biology.
• Electrical hazard awareness.
• Tree risk assessment (level 1).
• Customer service.

Participants spend one week in the classroom and a second week in the field, where they focus on applying the topics they learned in week one, as well as perform data collection, evaluate trees and work on a variety of critical thinking exercises.

This in-person training is available throughout the year at various locations across the state of California.

Those experienced in utility vegetation management can take a step further in their leadership and management skills in this rigorous two-year online training program offered through the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The Utility Vegetation Management Professional Development Program includes five initial courses that lead to a Foundations of UVM Certification, followed by three more courses leading to a UVM Professional Certification. After earning these two certifications, participants can advance to the final UVM Program Management course, where they will apply their knowledge to develop and present their own UVM program.

After completing these courses, students qualify to apply for the Utility Arborist Association (UAA)’s Certified Utility Vegetation Management Professional credential.

UVM professionals interested in applying for this program may qualify for scholarships.

This is a training preparation course for the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ), which trains arborists how to use the methodologies outlined in the ISA Best Management Practices for Tree Risk Assessment.