For the City Times

Urban Forestry Technician students at Mid-State Technical College recently received specialized chainsaw safety and skills training made possible by a sponsorship from Husqvarna. Rip Tompkins, co-owner of globally recognized ArborMaster, traveled from Connecticut to lead the training on the College’s Wisconsin Rapids campus on December 8 and 9.

Mid-State Urban Forestry Technician student Cassandra Baewer looks on while co-owner of ArborMaster Rip Tompkins provides hands-on demonstration of chainsaw skills on the college’s Wisconsin Rapids campus, December 9. (Courtesy: MSTC)

Tompkins’ instruction included demonstration and practice of precision chainsaw use, focusing on techniques used by “green industry” tree care professionals. The training helps students deepen their knowledge and skills related to safe and efficient chainsaw use, including a thorough understanding of the physics involved in tree pruning and removal. The goal is to ensure students truly master these techniques, which lead to a safer and more efficient worksite as well as protect client property.

“I’m grateful for the sponsorship from Husqvarna that enabled me to be here in person to provide this important training and practice,” said Tompkins. “There is great demand in the green industry for highly skilled arborists, and Mid-State’s Urban Forestry Technician program is one of just a handful nationwide that produces graduates with the hands-on skills needed for this work.”

“Safe and efficient chainsaw use is critical in any occupational field related to tree care, and this training is an important component of the hands-on coursework we provide our Urban Forestry Technician students,” said Mid-State urban forestry instructor Joe Hoffman. “Being able to bring in a world-class trainer helps us continue to produce graduates who are among the nation’s most well trained and sought after in the nationwide arboriculture industry.”