San Diego Gas & Electric grants $1.2 million to San Diego College of Continuing Education Foundation's Employee Training Institute for tuition-free training to become a skilled aborist to prevent wildfires by clearing trees from utility equipment and lines.
The free Arborist/Utility Line Clearance Training Program is a 200-hour 5-week training in which graduates leave the program prepared to work in a line clearance crew. The program begins on April 2022 and runs through July 2025.
“The SDCCE Foundation is excited to bring awareness to the arboriculture industry and as a result of SDG&E’s generous training funding, low-income San Diegans are entering a high demand, high wage career path,” said Laurie Coskey, Ed.D., SDCCE Foundation’s CEO.
According to the college, the program is designed by industry experts and gives entry-level students skills that a utility line clearance arborist apprentice would learn in the first six months on the job. Students will receive training in techniques such as First Aid/CPR, OSHA 10, flagger training, fire safety prevention, chippers, chainsaw usage, ropes, knots, and climbing upon completion.
The SDCCE Foundation is excited to bring awareness to the arboriculture industry and as a result of SDG&E’s generous training funding, low-income San Diegans are entering a high demand, high wage career path.” said Laurie Coskey, Ed.D., SDCCE Foundation’s CEO.
The Arborist/Utility Line Clearance Training is open to all San Diego residents eighteen and older. Prospective trainees can apply now at the SDCCD’s ETi website or email Caron Lieber at clieber@sdccd.edu. Training takes place at the California Conservation Corps, Urban Corps of San Diego County, and the San Diego College of Continuing Education.
Proper training helps arborists minimize damage to the surrounding environment and other vegetation.