Students Expand Job Skills at STIHL-Sponsored Tree Care Industry Event

The 20th annual Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) Student Career Days (SCD) wrapped up another successful event in Baltimore, Maryland, November 10-12, 2016. Approximately 213 college and vocational students representing 21 schools from across the country attended SCD, which was held in conjunction with the Tree Care Industry EXPO, the world’s largest tree care industry trade show and conference.

As the largest career development event for students enrolled in horticulture, forestry, and related programs, SCD features a Student Skills Competition, as well as a Job and Internship Fair.

Mark Chisholm, STIHL spokesperson, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, and three time ISA international tree climbing champion, was on site during the Student Skills Competition at Federal Hill Park to offer climbing tips. “It’s fantastic to see so many students invested in their careers and the future of professional tree care,” says Chisholm. “This event highlights the strength and future growth of our industry.”

“Student Career Days provides young people with opportunities to learn from their peers, from experts in the field, and even from renowned professionals like Mark Chisholm,” says Amy Tetreault, TCIA’s director of development and special programs. “Mark and STIHL, along with our other sponsors, provided an incredible experience for these aspiring arborists.”

Student Skills Competition

The Student Skills Competition was comprised of three main events: Safety Gear Check, Belayed Scramble, and Work Climb.

The winners were announced at the Student Skills Awards Ceremony on Saturday, November 12, and included:

Overall 1st Place Winners:

• Drake Martin, The Crossing School (Vocational Men’s)
• Alexandra Scatena, Wamogo Regional High School (Vocational Women’s)
• Linus Glady, Cuyahoga Community College (Collegiate Men’s)
• Johanna Smith, Milwaukee Area Technical College (Collegiate Women’s)

Individual Event First Place Finishers:

Safety Gear Check

• Steven Romano, Wamogo Regional High School (Vocational Division)
• Quinhn Johnson, University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point (Collegiate Division)

Belayed Scramble

• Drake Martin, The Crossing School (Vocational Men’s)
• Alexandra Scatena, Wamogo Regional High School (Vocational Women’s)
• John Hawkins, Alamance Community College (Collegiate Men’s)
• Johanna Smith, Milwaukee Area Technical College (Collegiate Women’s)

Work Climb

• Darren Maddox, The Crossing School (Vocational Men’s)
• Tabitha Kennedy, Wamogo Regional High School (Vocational Women’s)
• Sam Neterval-Quiel, Milwaukee Area Technical College (Collegiate Men’s)
• Molly Groth, Milwaukee Area Technical College (Collegiate Women’s)

A complete list of SCD scores is available online.

In addition to STIHL, Student Career Days 2016 was sponsored by Bandit Industries, Inc., Ahlum & Arbor, Bartlett Tree Experts, BrightView Tree Care Services, Davey Tree Expert Company, the International Society of Arboriculture, SavATree, and Vermeer.

About TCIAF and TCIA

The Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) works to advance education and professional development in the green industry, improve safety and reduce accident rates in the tree care industry, and to disseminate information key to practitioners and consumers about proper tree care. TCIAF programs include Student Career Days (SCD), and the Arborist Safety Training Institute (ASTI).

TCIAF’s sister organization, the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), is a trade association of 2,300 tree care firms and affiliates whose mission is to advance tree care businesses. TCIA develops safety and education programs, standards of tree care practice, and management information for arboriculture firms around the world. TCIA is also proud to present TCI EXPO, the world’s largest tree care industry trade show and conference. Learn more about TCIAF and TCIA at www.tcia.org.

About STIHL, Inc.

STIHL Inc. manufactures the number one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America for homeowners and professional landscapers*, as well as the number one selling brand of chainsaws in the world. STIHL products are sold through servicing power equipment retailers from coast to coast – not mass merchants. STIHL products sold through U.S. STIHL dealers are for distribution in the United States only. For more information or for the name of a local STIHL retailer, call toll free 1-800-GO STIHL (1-800-467-8445) or visit the dealer locator on the STIHL website at https://www.stihlusa.com/.