Arborist Ground Worker Training Program

The Arborist Ground Worker Training Program provides job seekers with industry training that enhances productivity, safety and efficiency while enhancing communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills — all in a practical learning environment that mimics the workplace setting.

(If you are an Arborist employer interested in hiring program graduates, please click here.)

Training includes hands-on, workplace-based technical and soft skills training in the following areas:

• Skills and Tools of the Trade
• Health & Safety Training
• Science of Arboriculture
• Paid Industry Work Placement
• Field Operations & Practices
• Résumé Writing & Interview Prep
• Career Planning

Dates & Duration:

This program is currently a pilot project. Should additional programming be offered in the future, training will occur between November 2019 and March 2020. A paid industry work placement would follow and run during March 2020.

Updates to program dates and offerings will be made to this website in Summer or Fall 2019.

Hours:

Hours are full-time (30-40 hours per week). The program will run Monday to Friday, and hours will vary between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. for the duration of the training. A course schedule will be provided prior to the start of training.

Cost:

There is no cost to participate. PPE (personal protective equipment) will be provided. Participants will be responsible for personal transportation to and from training sites, as well as food and living expenses.

Location:

Training will take place in Toronto, Ontario. However, jobs and paid work placements will be available across the province upon request.

Program Eligibility:

• Minimum 18 years old
• Eligible to work in Canada
• Unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week on average.

How to Apply:

The Arborist Ground Worker Training Program is no longer accepting applications. Should another year of training be established, this webpage will be updated. If you wish to receive email notification on the program status, please email the Program Contact listed below.

Program Contact:

Courtney McCann
Email: cmccann@careerfoundation.org

Information for Employers:

Are you an employer in the Arboriculture Industry? Do you want to hire on a graduate of our Arborist Ground Worker Training Program? Click below for more info!

Hire a Program Graduate

About the Training Providers:

The Arborist Ground Worker Training Program is an industry-driven partnership initiative delivered between The Career Foundation, the International Society of Arboriculture, Ontario Chapter (ISAO) and the Ontario Commercial Arborists Association (OCAA).

Program Q&A

What is an Arborist Ground Worker?

Are EI recipients eligible to participate?

Is this Pre-Apprenticeship training?

Does the participant have to be considered a youth? What are the eligibility requirements?

How many participants will be accepted into the program?

Will participants secure employment post-program? What is the labour market like in Arboriculture?

Do participants receive any stipends or incentives to participate in the program?

Where in Toronto will training take place?

Funding Provided by:

The Arborist Ground Worker Training Program is made possible through the SkillsAdvance Ontario (SAO) pilot project funding from the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). As a sector-focused workforce development pilot, SAO supports partnerships that bring together employers with employment and training providers. The goal is to develop a pool of job-ready, skilled workers that meet employers’ workforce development needs.