Students Compete in the Skills Competition at the TCI EXPO event

PITTSBURGH – On Nov. 11-13, 2010, approximately 150 college and vocational students from 18 schools around the country participated in the Tree Care Industry Association Foundation (TCIAF) Student Career Days, including the annual Student Skills Competition, at the TCI EXPO held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pa . TCIAF Student Career Days is a career development event for arboriculture, urban forestry and horticulture students.

The Student Skills Competition, which drew 57 students from 16 schools, was held on Friday, Nov. 12 at Al legheny Commons West Park and featured the work climb, belayed scramble, and throwline competition events, as well as academic events, including safety gear check, knowledge exam and TCI CSI . The Student Career Days also includes a job and internship fair from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the DavidL.LawrenceConvention Center.

Mark Chisholm, International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) certified arborist, three time ISA international  tree climbing champion and STIHL spokesperson, was on site to demonstrate climbing competition tips, along with 2009 champion Jared Abrojena and fellow competitor Chad Brey.

“Its great to see the student’s enthusiasm and passion for the tree care industry,” said Chisholm. “With this type of leadership and commitment from the student competitors, the industry has a bright future.”

“By having Mark Chisholm demonstrate at the competition, students learn real world experience from a well-respected professional, which is key for future career development,” said Tchukki Andersen, TCIA staff arborist and ISA Board Certified Master Arborist. "STIHL, along with our other sponsors, provides the necessary experiences to teach valuable skills to these future arborists."

The winners were announced at the Student Skills Awards Ceremony on Nov. 13 at the TCI Expo and included:

·         Overall first place winner, Kevin Braun of PennState, University Park, Pa.

·         Overall second place, Kyle McCabe of University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass,

·         Overall third place, Jon Farkas, of University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, Stevens Point, Wisc.

Individual event winners were:

·         Knowledge Exam : Alex Julius of University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass

·         Safety Gear Check: Caleb Mende of WarrenWilsonCollege, Asheville, NC

·         TCI CSI: Kevin Braun of PennState, University Park, Pa.

·         Throwline: Kevin Munks of WesternIllinoisUniversity, Macomb, Ill.

·         Women’s Belayed Scramble: Jessica Briscoe, BrighamYoungUniversity, Provo, Utah

·         Men’s Belayed Scramble: Brock Holtzclaw of North Carolina State, Asheville, NC

·         Women’s Work Climb: Jessica Briscoe, BrighamYoungUniversity, Provo, Utah

·         Men’s Work Climb: Kyle McCabe of University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Mass.

For a list of all the students’ final scores, click here. 

The sponsors of the 2010 event included STIHL Inc., Arborwell, Bartlett Tree Experts, The Davey Tree Expert Co., SavAtree, The Care of Trees, Wright Tree Service, International Society of Aboriculture, Vermeer Corporation, Bandit Industries, Inc., and Cummins Bridgeway.

For more information, visit http://www.treecareindustry.org/Public/meetings_expo_careerdays.htm .

About TCIAF and TCIA :

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.

The Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) accredits tree care companies, develops safety and education programs, establishes standards of tree care practice, and provides management information for arboriculture firms around the world. It provides continuing education, training, conferences and publications to promote the safe and appropriate practice of tree care.

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 chain saws 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 http://www.stihlusa.com/.
 
*"Number one selling brand" is based on syndicated Irwin Broh Research (commercial landscapers) as well as independent consumer research of 2009 U.S. sales and market share data for the gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment category combined sales to consumers and commercial landscapers.
 
STIHL is pleased to support the work of the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund), International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA), National FFA, Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), and the National Association of State Park Directors.