189 188 Growth Rings Leadership
For decades, Davey clients have benefitted from industry-leading employee training
programs.
e culture of learning that continues today started with the founding of Davey's
very first training program, the Davey School of Practical Forestry, in 1909. Later
renamed the Davey Institute of Tree Surgery and, finally, the Davey Institute of Tree
Sciences, the Davey Company's flagship training program takes employees through
a rigorous, four-week course in biological sciences, safety, tree and plant care and
management techniques.
In 1921, Martin L. Davey, Sr., argued the course work had elevated Davey's work
and service to a permanently higher plane and made master tree surgeons of master
mechanics.
"e treatment of trees has ceased to be a laborer's job in the Davey organization
and has become a professional practice through the work and influence of the school,"
he wrote in a companywide letter dated Nov. 15, 1921. "It has given us all a finer
conception of our work, an exceedingly stronger ideal of service, real improvement
in the mechanical details of the work, and a firm scientific basis for our operations."
By 1931, more than 1,500 Davey employees had graduated from the program. Peak
enrollment came in the 1928-1929 sessions, when a total 423 employees attended.
Decades later, training at D.I.T.S. remains a foundational aspect of Davey oper-
ations. Other similar but more specialized courses also grew at the Davey Institute.
Today, Davey employees can attend a variety of training programs specific to safety,
grounds management, horticultural sciences and more.
Davey also partnered with Kent State University on a two-year associate's degree
program. Employees who attend D.I.T.S. can earn nearly half the credit hours
required for the Davey Certificate portion of the Kent State degree. e program
celebrated its first associate's degree recipient – a D.I.T.S. graduate – in 2014. In
addition, Davey partners with Kent State on a tuition reimbursement program.
Employees can be eligible for having up to 100 percent of their tuition reimbursed
per semester for certain programs.
Dr. Roger Funk, retired vice president, chief technical officer, taught at D.I.T.S. for
40 years and helped establish the Kent State program. Funk said in a 2015 interview
that D.I.T.S. proved for years to be the industry standard in arboriculture training.
"It evolved over time and continues to do so," Funk said. "We would prune some
topics out and add others as new services were developed and became available to
field employees. Part of the thinking in establishing the degree program with Kent
State was to have the Davey Certification apply to the associate's degree. No other
industry certification can provide you with college credits."
Top-Notch Technical Training
roughout History
R.J. Laverne, manager of education and
training, left, talks with D.I.T.S. students in
the early 2000s.
Dick Jones conducts a classroom session during
the 2004 Davey Institute of Tree Sciences.
LEADERSHIP
