Urban Forestry Support Fund - Trainee Programme opens for application througout the year

The Trainee Programme under the Urban Forestry Support Fund encourages employers to engage and train arboriculture and tree management graduates to become quality arborists and tree climbers to support tree management and maintenance work in Hong Kong.

The “Urban Forestry Support Fund - Trainee Programme” follows the “first-hire-then-train” principle, and will provide a training allowance of about 30 per cent of agreed monthly remuneration levels to the trainees through their employers, as well as a bonus of $30,000 and $20,000 upon their acquisition of recognised arborist or tree climber professional qualifications respectively. The training periods for arborist and tree climber trainees are three years and 18 months respectively.

Eligible employers are invited to participate in the Trainee Programme to take in arborist and tree climber trainees at agreed or higher remuneration levels (including the training allowances provided under the programme).  They are also required to provide structured training that meets stipulated requirements.

About the Programme

Monthly training allowance
Arborist Trainees $4,500*    
Tree Climber Trainees $5,000*

Starting monthly pay point (including monthly training allowance)    
Arborist Trainees $14,500*    
Tree Climber Trainees $15,000*

Bonus (upon completion of training and acquisition of recognised professional qualification)            
Arborist Trainees $30,000    
Tree Climber Trainees $20,000

Training period
Arborist Trainees 3 years
Tree Climber Trainees 18 months

*The amounts are subject to adjustment by the Construction Industry Council upon completion of each year of training with consideration of factors including inflation.

Eligibility (Employers - Applicants)
- Arboriculture, tree management and landscape companies with active tree inspection and/or tree work related contract(s) for the Government or the private sector of duration not less than one year or organisations managing a substantial amount of tree assset; and
- Have the following employees in the company:
    (For engaging Arborist Trainees) At least 1 arborist who meets the requirement for the training tutor of Arborist Trainee
    (For engaging Tree Climber Trainees) At least 1 tree climber who meets the requirement for the training tutor of Tree Climber Trainee

Eligibility (Trainees - Employees)
- Hong Kong residents
- Graduates of local arboriculture, tree management and tree work programmes at:
    (For engaging Arborist Trainees) Level 3 to Level 5 of the Qualifications Framework
    (For engaging Tree Climber Trainees) Level 3 to Level 4 of the Qualifications Framework
- Have not possessed any recognised professional qualifications

Eligibility (Training Tutors - to be provided by employers)
Training Tutors of Arborist Trainees
- HKQF Level 4 or above in arboriculture related academic qualification; and
- Professional qualification in arboriculture; and
- Completed and passed tree risk assessment and management training course organised or recognised by the Tree Management Office; and
- Received relevant occupational safey and health training relating to tree work operation; and
- At least 7 years of work experience in tree care and familiar with tree risk assessment and management

Training Tutors of Tree Climber Trainees
- Received relevant occupational safey and health training relating to tree work operation; and
- Completed training in tree work operations (including tree climbing (rope access), use of chainsaw and aerial rescue); and
- At least 3 years of work experience in tree care and tree climbing

The programme accepts applications throughout the year. The relevant application form and training framework document can be downloaded from the website of the Construction Industry Council.

Here below is the sharing of students, employers and training tutors from the Urban Forestry Support Fund - Trainee Programme. (The video is broadcasted in Cantonese)