Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS)
INFORMATION ABOUT THE ACS
What is the ACS?
The ACS is a standard set by the NZAA, under consultation with the membership, in order to assist contracting arborists to excel in the products and services they offer their clients, to the benefit of their staff and their stakeholders.
The ACS was re-launched in November 2007, in order to tackle some of the issues faced the first release and the ever-changing dynamics in the industry.
In terms of providing a higher standard of service, the main change is to the increased levels of training and/or experience now required of the principal
and staff of organisations qualifying for the scheme.
What is the Purpose of the ACS?
The purpose of the NZAA Approved Contractor Scheme (ACS) is to establish and maintain a high level of public confidence in the arboricultural industry. A Register of Approved Contractors is distributed to all Local and Regional Authorities and is displayed within this website. The list is also published in the industry magazine (Tree Matters).
The aim of the ACS is to achieve he following;
- To encourage excellence within the industry
- To provide a consistently high standard of advice and workmanship
- To foster the exchange of information that maintains a high standard of practice and education
- To maintain an accreditation scheme
What is an Approved Contractor?
An Approved Contractor is an arboricultural contracting organisation that has met, and maintains, a minimum standard of professional knowledge and practical ability, with a certain level of client service – as required in the Approved Contractor Scheme Approval Guide.
What are the benefits of being an Approved Contractor?
Becoming an Approved Contractor (AC) gives your organisation the opportunity to distinguish itself as one of the best providers of arboricultural services in New Zealand. The key benefits are:-
- Promotion, maintenance and acknowledgement of the list of ACs
- Educating the public about the benefits of using ACs
- Listing on the Register supplied to Local and Regional Authorities, displayed on NZAA website and published in the industry magazine
- Exclusive use of ACS logo for advertising
- Quality control of contractors
- Attracts trained/desirable staff to your organisation
- Potentially reduce accidents in workplace
- Potentially create a level ‘playing field’ competition
- Motivation to strive for professional excellence
What are the benefits of ACS to the industry?
The key benefits to the arboricultrual industry are:-
- Legitimises Arboriculture to the public
- Advertising for the industry
- Potentially reduce poor practices
- Provides the public with confidence
- Potentially increase the number of qualified trainees
What are the requirements to attain AC approval?
Full details of this is available within the ACS document, which can be obtained by downloading the ACS Approval Guide here. The main requirements focus on the following key areas:-
- Minimum level qualifications and/or experience
- Proven client service/reliable marketing – e.g. job tracking, record keeping
- Health & Safety – e.g. policies, accident reporting/recording, equipment inspections, safety training, and so forth
- Codes of Practice – observe, hold copies of and adhere to those set by OSH
- Physical resources – e.g. safe plant and equipment
- Human resources – e.g. competition, organisation/management of staff, training records, contracts, induction guidelines, and so forth
- Public Liability Insurance
- Portfolio of work
FIND AN APPROVED CONTRACTOR
To find an Approved Contractor, please CLICK HERE.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For more information concerning the ACS, or to initiate the approval process, please email the ACS Co-ordinator: acs@nzarbor.org.nz.
