By Chris Andrews, executive director, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA)

CCHT renewals: grads take note
There are 62 CCHTs whose certificates will expire on December 31, 2000 and it is important that they are aware of the renewal requirements as given to them on their graduation.

     To renew your CCHT designation without having to be retested, you must have been involved in some form of industry related continuing education. This is the most important factor in the CCHT program - the industry ensures that it continues to keep up-to-date with new practices and new technology, and achieves a minimum national professional standard.

     The continuing education can be in the form of industry-related college courses, educational seminars provided by your association, college course work, acting as a judge for CCHT tests, CCHT committee work and distance industry-related courses. Further, any company training sessions that are done in-house can count as well, as long as your local chair qualifies them. First aid courses count as well. The credit criteria are outlined on the graduate's envelope. Twenty-four credits are required for renewal, together with supporting signed documents. The graduates should take note of the status of their own credits to ensure that they are on track. Judging from the number of responses, it indicates that some are leaving it to the last minute rather than stretching it over the three years.

     Graduates must also have the educational courses they take qualified by their local CCHT Chair or Co-ordinator to ensure that it meets the criteria. Once a renewal is issued on January 1st of the renewal year, then all credits obtained prior to that date expire and cannot be considered for the next renewal three years hence. Again, this ensures that the industry continues to improve and upgrade its knowledge collectively.

     Employers should also be aware of where their employees stand with their continuing education and CCHT credits. In view of the fact that most employers compensate their employees for these tests, they have a vested interest in ensuring that their employees keep their CCHT status. It is also important because the consumer is becoming far more aware of the CCHT designation and will seek out the firms that present those credentials.

Note: There is always a shortage of judges at the CCHT tests. You can earn credits at a rate of one credit per four-hour increments by being a judge. Contact your local chair/co-ordinator to sign up.
     As an industry member acting as a judge, you are able to help the industry reach its professional level, as well as bringing more credibility to the tests. Your input is needed.


Credit record keeping
In order to facilitate the CCHTs status and record keeping, CNLA recently redesigned its database to include a credit collection file. This means that as CCHTs proceed through continuing education, they should forward their completed forms to CNLA for tracking purposes. CNLA will then forward to each CCHT a status report on where they stand in their credit requirements, and will provide them with reminders on the number of credits they have accrued to date.

     This system is now available for use and CCHTs are encouraged to send in their credits and signed slips to CNLA as soon as possible. The reminders from CNLA will help graduates to keep on top of their education and their CCHT designation.

     If you have any questions about your renewal or anything else on the CCHT program, please call your local chair, co-ordinator or the CNLA office at 1-888-446-3499.


Promotional materials
New materials are available to help promote that a garden centre or landscape contractor has CCHTs on staff.

     Newly designed and eye-catching posters are available to these firms, with spaces for available to feature those CCHTs employed by the company, thereby further promoting the designation, as well as giving the consumer a face to seek out.

     A copy of the posters will be sent to each graduate as well as each employer. Extra copies can be ordered for a nominal fee. We encourage employers to display the posters and photographs of their CCHTs prominently.