Utility Arborist

A Utility Arborist prunes, rigs or moves tree branches and woody vegetation that is in proximity or could contact any electrical apparatus. A Utility Arborist uses climbing techniques, climbing systems and mechanized equipment to work at heights in urban, rural and off-road locations. Specifically, a Utility Arborist:

removes dangerous trees using industry approved techniques
conducts condition assessments within the electrical system rights of ways to determine the work to be completed
secures authorization to peform work, including from the general public, utility customers, government agencies, first nations communities and landowner associations
uses different types of on- and off-road aerial devices to work at heights in urban, rural and off-road locations
operates on- and off-road equipment such as snow machines, all-terrain vehicles and large tracked aerial devices for work that is away from main highways
works with herbicides to control vegetation

Apprenticeship Resources

Apprenticeship Training Standard (PDF)

Exam Counselling Sheet

Curriculum Training Standard – Level 1&2 (PDF)

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Utility Arborist is 6,000 hours (approximately three years) consisting of 5,340 hours of on-thejob work experience and 660 hours of in-school training.

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s apprenticeship training standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

A Utility Arborist apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

applied safety procedures including safe use of arboricultural specific equipment, hand and power tools
arboricultural sciences and tree identification
identification of compatible and non-compatible plants
tree growth calculation and pruning and removing requirements and techniques
climbing techniques and working at heights
use and inspection of fall protection, rigging and aerial device equipment
electrical theory and application and electrical system map reading
live line tool inspection and maintenance
transmission line clearing, including management of electrical rights of ways, vegation control methods and herbicide application techniques

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
day release (one day per week from September to June)
part-time (night-school programs)
alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Utility Arborist is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.

This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.