Overview
This introductory course builds the foundational knowledge required to understand the many facets of the utility vegetation management industry. You will receive an introduction to the industry by exploring potential career paths, credentials, and the main purposes for utility vegetation management. You will receive an overview of the two key components within the industry: North American electrical systems and utility arboriculture. This course will provide the required introductory knowledge necessary for moving through the remaining courses in the UVM Program.
Learning Objectives:
Explain the Utility Vegetation Management (UVM) industry sector, career paths, and associated credentials.
Explain the North American electrical industry, its power grid network, and its relationship with the development of UVM program plans.
Explain utility arboriculture and tree biology (stressors, disorders, defense mechanisms, wound reaction) principles as they relate to UVM.
Assess tree risk and tree pruning practices as they relate to UVM.
- Evaluate treatment control methods related to UVM.
- Evaluate utility arboriculture principles as they relate to UVM.
Grading and CEUs
This course is graded. Participants will receive a letter grade (A-F) based on their performance.
This course is pre-approved for 120 ISA CEUs for Utility Specialist, Certified Arborist, Municipal Specialist, Climber Specialist, and Aerial Lift as well as 120 SAF CEUs.
Delivery
This 12-week course is 100% online using a combination of tutorials, discussions, and projects. All course work is delivered asynchronously, i.e. no set meeting times.
Participants can expect to spend 10+ hours per week completing the assigned tasks.
Target Audience/Pre-requisites
This course is designed for utility vegetation management professionals or individuals looking to expand on their professional experience to enter into utility vegetation management. Previous experience with utility vegetation management, arboriculture, or forestry is beneficial but not required.
There are no pre-requisites for this course.