Latest R2 developments
As new Register of Tree Work Operatives (R2) website is unveiled the team behind R2 discuss the latest progress.
As the R2 project marks its first anniversary significant milestones have been reached thanks to the time invested by key volunteers in the arboriculture industry. This progress has also been made possible thanks to the growing number of businesses lending their support to the scheme.
One of the key beneficiaries of R2 will be individual arboriculture workers who can capture their skills, experience and training and identify their current job grade, as well as planning their future career path. “In order to make this possible it has been critical to get feedback from practising arboricultural operatives about the typical roles with the sector and the job titles, qualifications and training required to achieve that grade, along with relevant task-specific experience and the typical time served”, explains Tony Lane, arboriculture consultant and R2 management committee member.
Caption: The result of these discussions has been used to map key arboriculture roles into a progression structure. This will form the foundation of R2.
For each job grade there will be a pre-defined set of qualifications, training and experience that an individual must have achieved over a minimum set time period to attain that title.
“Much consideration has been given to quality assurance in order to ensure that when an employee claims that they have achieved a particular grade, the employer can be confident that the worker has met the standard,” explains Ros Burnley, Lantra’s Industry Partnership Manager.
R2 will have an annual registration fee of £30 (including VAT) for an individual tree worker, reduced rates will be available for businesses purchasing multiple registrations. Discussions have been held with key employers in the sector with the aim of gaining feedback and winning support.
New R2 sponsors include Lantra Awards and Oakwood Tree Consultants, who join Makita, Bartlett Tree Experts, CTC Recruitment, Beechwood Trees and Landscapes Ltd, Dartmoor Tree Surgeons and Land Based Training. “We are extremely encouraged that these respected names within the UK arboricultural industry can see the benefit of R2 and share our vision of helping to create and retain highly trained individuals and flexible, skilled workforces”, explains Jaime Bray steering group chair.
The development of R2 has been led by a Steering Group which is celebrating its first birthday by becoming a Management Committee and agreeing the governance for R2. Lantra has been selected as the host for R2, however the long term aim is for R2 to become self sufficient.
“In order to refine R2 employers are being invited to trial the system and provide feedback” explains Ros Burnley, Lantra’s Industry Partnership Manager. To register your interest for the R2 pilot email info@R2register or call 02476 69 69 96.
To find out more about the project visit the new R2 website www.R2register.co.uk.
ISSUED BY Lantra Press Office
Raam Tarat
Marketing & Communications Executive
Tel: 02476 696 996 or email raam.tarat@lantra.co.uk
Notes to editor:
• Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for land-based and environmental industries, working to ensure these businesses access the training, qualifications, skills and knowledge they need
• Lantra represents 16 industries: agriculture; animal care; animal technology; aquaculture; environmental conservation; equine; farriery; fencing; fisheries management; floristry; game and wildlife management; land-based engineering; horticulture, landscaping and sports turf; production horticulture; trees and timber and veterinary activities
• By working together with the sector, Lantra leads research on skills issues and business needs, sets national standards and develops qualifications to meet modern business needs and help businesses grow through skills
• For more information see www.lantra.co.uk.
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