International Meeting-Denmark

The ABA International Workshop & Meeting recently hosted by Skovskolen of the University of Copenhagen proved to be another very successful & productive event. The meeting was attended by VET organisations & over 35 representatives from 15 different countries. Following elections the Examination Body has now been expanded to include new and experienced members from Sweden, Italy, Spain, Slovakia & Romania. Other achievements in brief include:

• Agreement on International/European Chainsaw Certification standards
• Agreement on International/European Lifting Equipment standards
• Completion of new International/European Arborist standards
• Organisation of free VET Skills Instructors courses
• Successful observation & review of Danish Examinations & Procedures in practice
• New developments with the International Digital Skills Register & e-Passport
• Development of new VET Member Resources & E-learning materials
• Update on ABA participation in new Research Innovations currently under development

ABA International continues to successfully develop and all VET organisations & interested individuals are welcome to participate. 

CHAINSAW STANDARDS EVENT

International chainsaw standards (ICS/ECS) have been continuously developed since the successful Leonardo European funded project completed in 2011. Supported & launched by ABA International during 2012 the new & pioneering International/European Chainsaw Certification (ICC/ECC) scheme and International on-line skills register were established. Successful European & International chainsaw operator skills continue to be registered on a regular basis along with qualified LOLER inspectors. The latest version of the chainsaw standards will be demonstrated & tested by vocational education & training experts at the next ABA International Workshop & Meeting. This will be hosted by the University of Copenhagen in Denmark 9-11th September and is open to all interested parties. 

LOLER EXAM SUCCESS

ABA International continues to support the development of the recent successful Leonardo European LOLER qualifications. Work continues beyond the project aimed at improving safety in work at heights.

Three new candidates recently undertook the Level 1 Equipment Inspection examination held in Czech Republic representing Latvia, UK & Denmark. Under observation by a number of international instructors the candidates (rope access climbers / instructors) were assessed individually by ABA accredited assessors from the UK. After some tense decision making moments all candidates were successful and have now been added to the international skills register. Evaluation given by the candidates was very positive on the high standards of assessment & the quality of knowledge and expertise shown by the examiners during post-exam feedback.

Background to the ICC & ECC

The need for a recognised INTERNATIONAL/EUROPEAN CHAINSAW CERTIFICATE (ICC/ECC) or 'licence' has been proposed and discussed by various organisations and individuals at meetings over a number of years which ultimately led to the successful development of the international Awarding Body Association (ABA). ABA International is a 'not for profit' organisation primarily tasked with the management and quality assurance of education and provision of skills certification and recognition throughout Europe and Worldwide. By February 2014 over 300 successful International/European Chainsaw Certificates have been issued and recorded in the innovative electronic skills register of chainsaw operators.

The idea and starting point for an International/European chainsaw certification can actually be traced back to an international UK supported Forestry Training (Chainsaw Standards) project in Canada undertaken by William Robb during 1995 -  https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/fellows-directory/william-robb and further meetings held between Instructors/Assessors & Advisors from the UK National School of Forestry - Newton Rigg, Danish School of Forestry - Skovskolen & the Scottish School of Forestry, in the UK during 1997 as part of an EU funded project led by Ib Christensen (Skovskolen National Forestry Centre - University of Copenhagen). Follow up European chainsaw workshops and meetings took place involving Ib Christensen and William Robb (Lecturer in UK National School of Forestry - Newton Rigg) and their training colleagues since 2000 including participation in various other European discussions. During this period William Robb was already developing and field testing the first draft versions of European chainsaw standards (ECS) in the UK. 

Following the recommendation of the UK Leonardo National Agency, William Robb developed and submitted a European chainsaw project proposal, which was successfully approved in 2009. He subsequently managed the 'Evaluation and Implementation of Chainsaw Operators Certification' project through to completion in 2011. He is the technical author and owner of the pioneering European (ECS/ECC) and International chainsaw certification standards (ICS/ICC). 

ARBORISTS SKILLS EVENT MAY 2014

ABA in association with the University of Mendel and highly skilled international arborist instructors are pleased to announce that the next skills exhibition and open event will take place during early May 2014. This event is open to anyone with an interest in arborists skills and will take place near the beautiful city of Brno in Czech Republic.

Key features will include practical training demonstrations in arborist techniques by experienced international instructors, tree climbing and aerial rescue methods, aerial use of a chainsaw, pruning and tree rigging methods, use of a mobile platform in tree care operations and much more. Tree climbing competitions will be held and demonstrations in innovative non-destructive techniques for equipment examination are amongst other activities planned for the event.