17
May/June 2019
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THE DAVEY BULLETIN
ARBORIST SKILLS TRAINERS ADVANCE EMPLOYEES' SKILLSETS
Davey is committed to investing in its
employees and has declared employee retention
a top priority for the company. As part of this,
the Davey Institute has implemented the
Arborist Skills Training Program.
Don Roppolo, manager of arboricultural training,
leads the arborist skills training program.
Roppolo supports the trainers by helping them
conduct the training sessions they manage by
giving them the tools they need to succeed.
"They've all come to this position with a high
level of skills in arboriculture, but now I'm
focusing on developing their training and adult
education skills so they can communicate
effectively in their field trainings," Roppolo said.
Each trainer serves a geographic region, and
each trainer has 12 to 18 Residential/Commercial offices
they instruct. The trainers work closely with operations
managers and district managers so they can respond to
the needs of the crews and adjust accordingly.
Before holding a session, the trainers ask the district
manager what training is needed at that time. Then, they
create specific objectives and make sure there is an
appropriate jobsite for the training to be done. After training
is complete, the skills trainer provides the manager with
a recap and report of what was accomplished.
Davey's arborist skills trainers pause for a photo during a group climbing
exercise. Currently the skills trainers serve R/C operations only.
IMPROVEMENT
"The new training and techniques increase
safety, efficiency and the excitement of the
climbers as they learn new tools," said Tim
Bushnell, arborist skills specialist. "And really,
it makes it more fun for them to do their job."
Since the program started, Roppolo said he's
received lots of positive feedback; comments
such as "I didn't think there were opportunities
to advance, but the trainer influenced me
otherwise" and "the person the trainer
worked with has improved drastically."
There are five arborist skills trainers, and
Roppolo is looking to hire two more for the
Northeast Ohio and Texas regions with plans
to add more skills trainers in the coming
years. Roppolo said this program is an exciting
opportunity for Davey to invest in its employees and develop
their skillsets as individuals while also helping the company
on a larger scale.
"Our product is the satisfaction of our clients, and we are
only as good as the employees we are putting on our clients'
properties," Roppolo said. "If they are feeling invested in,
it helps to keep them here and also attract new talent."
Arborist Skills
Trainers and
Their Regions
Nathan Hadley
North Central
Eduardo Medina
North Central
Corey Shepard
Mid-Atlantic and
Northeast
Emmett Shutts
New England
Brad Turner
Southeast
