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Arboriculture - Apprenticeship

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Program Code: 444A
Credential: Ontario College Certificate
Start Dates: January
Program Length: 12 weeks

Humber is proud to have the highest graduate employment and employer satisfaction rate of the GTA colleges based on Colleges Ontario’s key performance indicators for college graduates in 2022-2023.

Program Overview

Humber’s Arborist Apprenticeship program consists of a twelve-week Level 1 session and a twelve-week Level 2 session focusing on urban forestry maintenance which includes health and hazard assessment, planting, pruning and removal of trees in urban settings. We emphasize safety, teamwork and the development of sound, up-to-date job skills and workplace practices. Lectures and labs are balanced with a major practical fieldwork component.

Apprenticeships are not available to international applicants.

The Humber Advantage

Humber offers unique facilities with The Humber Arboretum, a 250 acre botanical garden that surrounds the campus and includes ornamental gardens, woodland gardens, wildlife gardens, and ecologically diverse environments. It provides a unique “living classroom" for plant studies, construction, arboricultural and horticultural skills. Our new construction lab is housed in a weather protected 8,000 square foot facility which allows full scale structures such as decks, gazebos, retaining walls and water features. We also have excellent computer labs for teaching our CAD (computer aided design and drafting) courses.

Humber Arboretum

Humber Arboretum


Humber Also Offers

Urban Arboriculture – Tree Care certificate program, which provides the same training as the Arborist Apprenticeship program, but does not require the student to be employed in the tree-care industry prior to joining the program.

Smith Award

Faculty Highlight

Bob Smith, faculty member in Humber's Arborist Apprenticeship program has won another award from the Ontario Parks Association.

Your Career

By absorbing carbon dioxide, urban trees provide environmental benefits. By providing shade that reduces the need for air conditioning in summer, and by serving as windbreaks that reduce heating needs in winter, properly located and managed trees reduce the demand for carbon-emitting fossil fuels. Overall, researchers estimate that an urban tree can save 5 to 10 times more carbon than a rural tree. You can help make the most of these important environmental assets and find exciting job opportunities in the utility, municipal and commercial tree-care sectors.

Entry level positions usually require strong climbing skills – and after that, how high you climb is based on your skills, strengths and the specific needs of your employer.

Professional Accreditations & Recognition

Ontario Certificate of Qualification Trade Exam

Apprentices completing the required in-school training are issued a Certificate of Apprenticeship and Ontario College Certificate from Humber College. Upon successful completion of in-school and on-the-job training, apprentices may write the Ontario Certificate of Qualification trade exam.

Additional requirements may apply.

Note: The requirements for the additional credential(s) are determined by the granting body, which is independent from the College. Students are encouraged to obtain the specific requirements directly from the granting body before enrolling.

Program Availability

INTAKE DATE LOCATION
Jan 2025 North

Recruitment Events

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Can't make it to campus?

Experience Humber Virtually  

Arborist Apprenticeship Program Video

woman climbing a tree

Watch the video to learn more about the Arborist Apprenticeship program from Humber faculty.


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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.

Contact Us

Admissions Questions

General Enquiries

Call 416-675-3111 or email enquiry@humber.ca. If you have already applied, be sure to check your application status on myhumber.ca.

Domestic Applicants Enquiries

Domestic applicants can book a one-on-one advising appointment with an admissions representative.

International Applicants Enquiries

Contact the International Centre for information about full-time programs (including the International Graduate School), how to apply and to follow up on your submitted application.

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Mark Graves, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 74441
mark.graves@humber.ca

Campus Information

Book a campus tour to take a closer look at what it's like to be a student at Humber.

Want More Info?

Find out more about the student experience and everything that Humber has to offer Future Students.

for more info on Humber, including programs, special events and more!

How To Become An Apprentice

Becoming an Apprentice

Find an employer willing to sponsor you as an apprentice.

Contact the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to register as an apprentice.

Work with your employer approximately one year before attending Humber.

View Instructions 

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

If you’re in high school – grade 11 or 12 – you can earn co-op education credits through work placements in some skilled trades.

Visit OYAP 

How to Apply

Domestic Students

Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program.

To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber’s program pages, search by availability, or ontariocolleges.ca.

To see where you are in the admissions process, visit the Admissions Road Map.

International Students

If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.

Need Advice?

Program Advising Appointments

Get help narrowing down your program options or book a one-on-one pre-enrolment advising appointment with one of our Recruitment Officers.

Transfer & Pathway Advising

Book a virtual appointment with a Student Mobility Advisor learn more about getting Transfer Credit(s) for previous post-secondary experience, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and Pathways options.

Admission Requirements

Admission selection is based on the academic criteria indicated. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

Admission selection is based on the following requirement:

  • Academic

    This apprenticeship is regulated by the Ontario College of Trades. You and your employer are required to register through your local Apprenticeship Branch Office of the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD).

    You will be scheduled for the in-school portion of training by MLTSD. Apprentices who have been scheduled for the in-school training will be sent an Offer of Classroom Training letter from the MLTSD.

    For more information, visit ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship

    Required Preparation

    • Grade 12

    For Peel Region, please contact:

    MLTSD – Apprenticeship Branch
    The Emerald Centre
    10 Kingsbridge Garden Circle, Suite 404
    Mississauga, ON  L5R 3K6
    905.279.7333 or 800.736.7332
    ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario

    Mature Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or other postsecondary school, and will be 19 or older as of the first day of classes. Humber will invite you for testing to demonstrate that you meet all listed course requirements.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a mature applicant if they have not completed secondary school or attended postsecondary studies, and will be 21 or older as of the first day of classes. Mature applicants for degree programs will be required to meet course requirements at the U/M level or equivalent.

    College Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a college transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a college-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or college courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants must have an overall minimum grade point average (GPA) of 65 per cent in the program. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

    University Transfer Applicants

    Diplomas and Certificates

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility.

    Degrees

    An applicant is considered a university transfer applicant if they have completed some or all of a university-level credential. Humber may use a combination of secondary school and/or university courses and grades to determine program eligibility. Applicants are required to disclose and provide academic transcripts for all course work completed at the postsecondary level.

Post-Admission Requirements

Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).

Apprenticeship Requirements

Apprentices must understand/accept the following:

  • field practice sessions are two - three days a week, even under inclement weather conditions
  • at least 50 per cent of field time involves tree climbing to heights of 40 feet or more
  • attendance at all classes is mandatory; unauthorized absences may result in expulsion from the program and/or cancellation of apprenticeship
  • apprentices must dress appropriately for scheduled activities and prevailing weather conditions
  • on a scheduled rotating basis, students are responsible for supervision of field practice sessions and transportation of tools and equipment to job sites
  • students must supply their own personal protective equipment (PPE) and small tools. Required PPE and small tools will be discussed during the first week of school.
  • most field practice hours take place at off campus locations. Students must arrange their own transportation.

Note: All students entering this program must have received a tetanus injection or booster shot within the last 10 years.

Equipment & Device Requirements

Details and Specifications Minimum Specs Recommended Specs
Processor Intel i7 (Quad core) Intel i7 (Quad core or higher)
Memory Minimum 16 GB of RAM
Storage Minimum 250 GB storage space (SSD) preferable, Wireless 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Other Built-in Ethernet port (strongly recommended), Long battery life (strongly recommended)

Program-Specific Questions

Speak to the Program Co-ordinator about the course curriculum, projects and career options.

Mark Graves, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 74441
mark.graves@humber.ca

Fees & Financial Aid

  • Level 1 - $650
  • Level 2 - $650.

Fees are subject to change.

Additional Costs

Additional fees include personal protective equipment (PPE).

Financial Aid, Scholarships and Bursaries

Understand the costs associated with coming to Humber and explore resources available from first year to your final year on Student Fees and Financial Resources.

Scholarships

Humber Scholarships

Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.

Humber Bursaries

Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.

External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.

Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships

Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.

Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways

Humber Pathways include:

  • Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
  • Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
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