Resource Centre

Relevant Organisations, Qualification and Training on Tree Management

Local Training Opportunities

At present, local training on arboriculture at degree, professional diploma and certificate levels are offered by various institutions in Hong Kong. Some examples of local courses in arboriculture, tree management, tree risk assessment, landscape management or equivalent, up to or above the standard of Level 3 in the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework or courses in tree climbing and chainsaw operation up to or above the standard of Level 2 in the HKQF, are given below for reference.  The courses listed below are currently accepted by the Registration Scheme on Tree Management Personnel (RSTMP) as academic/training qualification under respective personnel type, and/or met the minimum requirements in the academic qualification for Inspection Officer in the Guidelines for Tree Risk Assessment and Management Arrangement (for courses related to arboriculture, tree management, tree risk assessment, landscape management or equivalent, and up to or above QF3).

Local courses in arboriculture, tree management, tree risk assessment, landscape management

Local courses in tree works and tree works supervision

For courses accepted by the RSTMP but institutions no longer accept enrolment, please click here.
The information on the above is intended to be for reference and general information purposes only. It does not purport to be comprehensive. User should approach the course provider direct to acquire more accurate, up-to-date information.

Training programmes in tree risk assessment accepted by Tree Management Office as the 'Training Qualification' of Inspection Officer and the RSTMP

Websites of Related Institution / Association / Organisation

• College of International Education (CIE), Hong Kong Baptist University
  https://www.cie.hkbu.edu.hk/main/en/
• Employees Retraining Board (ERB)
  https://www.erb.org/
• HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE)
  https://hkuspace.hku.hk/
• Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), Vocational Training Council
  http://www.vtc.edu.hk/
• Institute of Arboriculture Studies (HK) (IASHK)
  https://www.ias.hk/
• Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC), Vocational Training Council  
  https://www.ivdc.edu.hk/ivdc/html/tc/index.html
• Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
  https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/
• Occupational Safety and Health Council (OSHC)
  https://www.oshc.org.hk/tchi/main/
• Pro tree Development Limited
  https://www.protreehk.com/
• School of Continuing and Professional Studies (CUSCS), The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  https://cms.scs.cuhk.edu.hk/
• TCHK
  https://treeclimbing.hk/
• Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), Vocational Training Council
  https://www.thei.edu.hk/

Websites of Related Professional Organisations

• Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects : http://www.hkila.com/
• Hong Kong Institute of Horticulture Science : http://hkihs.org/
• International Society of Arboriculture - Hong Kong Chapter : https://www.isahongkong.org/
• Institute of Horticulture (Hong Kong) : http://www.ihhk.org/

Arboriculture Vocational Assessment

To enhance the professionalism and standardisation of arboricultural industry in Hong Kong, and to step up the skill level of frontline staff and provide them with professional recognition, a new requirement in pruning was introduced to government maintenance contracts to be invited from April 2015 onwards and all other works contracts to be invited from April 2016 onwards.

Under the new requirement, all workers undertaking tree pruning works involving the use of chainsaw for those contracts specified above must have passed the "Vocational Assessment in Safety Use and Maintenance of Chainsaw Operation and Basic Tree Pruning for the Arboriculture Industry" organised by the Vocational Training Council (VTC) or, possess equivalent qualification from a recognised local or overseas training institute or professional body.

Currently, equivalent qualifications being vetted locally and recognised as fulfilling the new requirement include the following:

• Modules "Operate and Maintain Chainsaw" (RTC2304A/ AHCARB205A) and "Prune trees and shrubs" (RTF2017A/ AHCARBPGD203A) of the certificate/diploma courses in Arboriculture, offered by the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT, now known as Melbourne Polytechnic);
• Qualified Chainsaw and Pruning (Ground-based) Technician (QCPT), offered by the International Society of Arboriculture, Hong Kong Chapter;
• Vocational Assessment in Chainsaw Operation, Maintenance and Tree Pruning, offered by Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (Formerly known as Chainsaw Operation and Maintenance Training, offered by Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education, the Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK LiPACE));
• Professional Competency Assessment of Petrol Chainsaw Use and Maintenance and Pruning, offered by TCHK;
• Safe Use and Maintenance of Chainsaw and Basic Pruning in Arboriculture, offered by Pro Tree Development Limited.

Overseas Organisations

International Society of Arboriculture

The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) was founded in 1924 to promote the professional practice of arboriculture and fosters a greater worldwide awareness of the benefits of trees. ISA currently has six types of memberships in arboriculture, namely ISA Certified Arborist, ISA Certified Arborist Utility Specialist, ISA Certified Arborist Municipal Specialist, ISA Certified Tree Worker Climber Specialist, ISA Certified Tree Worker Aerial Lift Specialist and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. For details of ISA, please visit the website at: http://www.isa-arbor.com/

Arboriculture Association, the United Kingdom

The Arboricultural Association was founded in 1964 and is the largest body in the United Kingdom (UK) for the amenity tree care professional. Ranging from student to fellow, there are six levels of membership grades, linked to the UK National Qualifications Framework levels. Currently, there are approximately 2,000 Arboricultural Association members. For details of the Arboricultural Association, please visit the website at: http://www.trees.org.uk/

European Arboricultural Council, the European Union

The European Arboricultural Council (EAC) is a forum for European arboricultural organisations with the same object of elevating the status and advancing the profession by liaising on matters ranging from research and education to successful tree establishment and improvement of working practices. EAC has two forms of membership, namely the European Tree Worker and European Tree Technician. For details of EAC, please visit the website at: http://www.eac-arboriculture.com/en/

Arboriculture Australia, Australia

The Arboriculture Australia (AA) is a not-for-profit professional organisation dedicated to raising the standard of tree care and maintenance in Australia. AA currently has nine types of membership, ranging from student to Registered Practicing & Consulting Arborist. For details of AA, please visit the website at: http://arboriculture.org.au/